Jakarta - The Ministry of Law (Kemenkum) is currently discussing the Bill (RUU) on the Procedure for the Implementation of the Death Penalty to replace Presidential Decree Number 2 of 1964 concerning the Procedure for the Implementation of the Death Penalty handed down by Courts within the General and Military Judicial. The revision is being done to ensure the protection of death row inmates in line with human rights principles.
"The Bill aims to ensure the protection of death row inmates in line with human rights principles rooted in Pancasila and the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia," said Vice Minister of Law Eddy Hiariej during his address at a public hearing of the Bill on the Procedure for the Implementation of the Death Penalty on Wednesday (October 8, 2025).
The Vice Minister of Law announced that the Bill on the Procedure for the Implementation of the Death Penalty will be a priority for 2025. This inclusion is based on DPR RI Decision Number 23/DPR RI/I/2025-2026 on the amendment to the 2025-2029 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas RUU) and the Second Amendment to the 2025 Priority Prolegnas.
"On September 23, 2025, the DPR RI approved the inclusion of the Bill on the Implementation of the Death Penalty as a 2025 priority. This means that once today's discussions are concluded and approvals from other ministries and agencies are secured, we will immediately submit the Bill to the President along with the Law on Criminal Adjustments," said the Vice Minister at the Soepomo Meeting Room of the Ministry's Secretariat General.
The Vice Minister of Law also outlined several differences between Presidential Decree No. 2 of 1964 and the new Bill on the Procedure for Implementing the Death Penalty. He noted that the proposed Bill includes new provisions regarding the rights, obligations, and requirements for death row inmates.
"As stipulated in Law No. 22 of 2022 on Corrections, death row inmates have several rights, including freedom from excessive use of restraints, access to proper housing facilities, the ability to communicate with family and/or relatives after the execution order is issued, and the right to request the place of execution as well as the location and methods of burial," explained the Vice Minister of Law.
The death penalty may be carried out if, during the probation period, the inmate shows no good behavior, lacks potential for rehabilitation, or has entered the waiting period.
"The death penalty may only be carried out once the inmate's clemency request has been rejected and their health has been confirmed to be in good condition," said the Vice Minister of Law.
The Vice Minister of Law also proposed alternative methods for implementing the death penalty, including lethal injection and the electric chair, apart from the current firing squad practice.
"Scientifically, we can assess which method causes the quickest death, the electric chair, the firing squad, or the injection. This remains open for discussion," said the Vice Minister of Law.
