RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is stepping up its role in combating illicit finance, a transnational threat that undermines economic stability, national security, and public trust in state institutions.

Deputy for Foreign Policy Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mohammad K. Koba, said Indonesia holds a strategic position in addressing the issue, particularly since becoming a full member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in October 2023.

Koba stressed that Indonesia must not only follow international standards but also help shape them. “The position paper we draft must prioritize national data sovereignty and domestic economic interests, including policies on the downstream processing of strategic commodities,” he said during a coordination meeting in Depok, West Java, on Friday, April 10, 2026.

He explained that the British government has invited Indonesia to the Illicit Finance Summit in London this June. The summit will focus on high-risk sectors, including the illegal gold trade, anonymous property ownership, and crypto assets.

Koba added that Indonesia has responded to six partnership proposals submitted by the UK, including Asset Recovery Loans, the Non-Conviction-Based Asset Recovery Taskforce, Information Sharing via Public-Private Partnership, Gold Illicit Financial Flows, the Property Initiative, and the Crypto Enforcement Hub.

Deputy Assistant for Multilateral Cooperation, Adi Winarso, said input from ministries and agencies will be compiled into a national position paper. “This will serve as the basis for the Indonesian delegation to present the national position on illicit finance issues comprehensively,” he said.

Adi noted that the forum aims to raise global awareness and strengthen international cooperation. He also highlighted the initiative to establish a Virtual Global Taskforce on asset forfeiture without criminal charges.

“Indonesia is free to choose which proposals to follow. However, once we join, we are required to present tangible achievements and commitments in combating illicit finance,” said Adi. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)