Semarang – Minister of Law, Supratman Andi Agtas, emphasized the importance of having a solid understanding of legal requirements before starting a business. A strong legal foundation helps prevent future risks, disputes, or potential legal liabilities.
The Minister delivered the message as a speaker in Kemenkum’s “What’s Up Campus Calls Out” Podcast, held offline for the first time at Diponegoro University (Undip), after previously airing 23 online episodes on the ministry’s YouTube channel. This offline edition was designed to provide early legal literacy to university students, especially related to business legality and safety.
“Sharing knowledge on beneficial ownership with students is essential. If they understand this early, especially before their businesses grow, managing and securing their business activities will be easier and safer,” Supratman said at Muladi Dome, Undip, on Wednesday (November 19, 2025).
Undip was selected for the first offline session due to its history of producing prominent legal scholars such as Prof. Satjipto Rahardjo, former Dean of the Faculty of Law at Diponegoro University.
“I don’t think there’s anyone who hasn’t read Prof. Satjipto Rahardjo’s work, and who did not know Prof. Muladi? He was a former Minister of Justice, someone I deeply admire. Alhamdulillah, his long-standing aspiration has finally been realized—the establishment of a National Criminal Code (KUHP), which will take effect on January 2. Undip truly is remarkable,” Supratman said.
Ivan Yustiavandana, Chief of the Indonesian Financial Intelligence Unit (PPATK), explained that implementing beneficial ownership rules is essential to creating a fair business environment.
He said that many entrepreneurs run their businesses properly, relying on their own reputation and managing profits and losses responsibly. But there are others who don’t care about profit at all, because their businesses are actually being used as tools for money laundering.
“If beneficial owners are not regulated, criminals can set up companies that compete unfairly with legitimate businesses. They can sell cheaply because profit isn’t their goal; the business simply serves as a cover for laundering money,” Ivan said.
The Governor of North Maluku, Sherly Tjoanda, underlined the importance of accountability in today’s digital and transparent era. She noted that a business is built on reputation, trust, and credibility, which are far more important than financial capital. She also highlighted that proper documentation—such as company deeds and financial statements—is essential for attracting investors and securing major projects.
Prof. Paramita Prananingtyas, Undip’s Professor of Law, shared that entrepreneurship courses are taught across all study programs at Undip. She said that ethics and transparency must serve as the foundation of any business from the very beginning.
“What’s Up Kemenkum Campus Calls Out” serves as a public dialogue platform aimed at improving students’ understanding of legal regulations in Indonesia. Carrying the theme “From Campus Business to Major Success”, the event brought together government officials, academics, and creative industry actors to discuss integrity, accountability, beneficial ownership, and risks of corruption and money laundering.
The event attracted approximately 2,000 participants, including students, lecturers, ministry staff, young entrepreneurs, startup founders, and the general public, both offline and online. Through interactive sessions and discussions, the program encouraged young people to build lawful, ethical businesses while strengthening collaboration between the government, universities, and industry.
