Legal Literacy  — The Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Central Sulawesi (Kanwil Kemenkum Sulteng) assesses that the “guilty plea” mechanism introduced in the 2025 Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) has the potential to strengthen the efficiency of the criminal justice process, as long as it is carried out strictly and still guarantees the protection of the rights of the parties.[1]

The 2025 Criminal Procedure Code itself has been stipulated as Law Number 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code.[2]

Guilty plea is not a “shortcut”

In its official statement on January 6, 2026, the Central Sulawesi Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regional Office emphasized that a guilty plea in the 2025 Criminal Procedure Code must be made voluntarily, without coercion, and with legal assistance. The mechanism is also said to be carried out formally, coordinated with the public prosecutor, and still needs to be supported by other evidence as a safeguard for accountability and protection of rights.[3]

The Head of the Central Sulawesi Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regional Office, Rakhmat Renaldy, emphasized that this mechanism is not intended as an instant route. He stated that this regulation is designed to increase efficiency without reducing the protection of the rights of the parties, and emphasized the importance of legal assistance and supervision so that its application remains within the legal corridor.[4]

Conceptually, the Supreme Court through the MARINews channel explained that a guilty plea in the 2025 Criminal Procedure Code is understood as a mechanism for the defendant to admit guilt and cooperate in the examination, with the consequence of a reduced sentence, as formulated in Article 1 number 16 and detailed arrangements in Article 78 of the 2025 Criminal Procedure Code.[5]

Still according to MARINews' explanation, a guilty plea in the 2025 Criminal Procedure Code does not stop at “confession” alone, but forms a series of processes involving the public prosecutor and examination of validity in court, including a guilty plea hearing conducted separately from the main case hearing.[6]

In another presentation by the Supreme Court (PERISAI BADILUM), it was mentioned that there are at least three conditions that are often socialized regarding guilty pleas: the perpetrator is a first-time offender; the criminal act is punishable by a maximum imprisonment of 5 years or a certain category of fine; and/or is willing to pay compensation or restitution.[7]