Admissibility of Electronic Evidence in Criminal Proceedings: A Comparative Study of Southeast Asian Jurisdictions
Keywords:
Electronic Evidence, Criminal Proceedings, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Cyber Law, Digital Evidence, Comparative LawAbstract
The increasing reliance on electronic communication and digital transactions has made electronic evidence a critical component in criminal proceedings across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. However, the admissibility of such evidence remains legally complex due to differences in procedural rules, evidentiary standards, and levels of technological readiness among jurisdictions. This article examines the legal framework governing electronic evidence in selected Southeast Asian countries, with particular attention to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Using normative legal research and comparative analysis, the study evaluates how courts assess the authenticity, integrity, and reliability of digital evidence in criminal trials. The findings reveal significant disparities in evidentiary standards, particularly regarding chain of custody requirements and judicial interpretation of electronic data validity. Indonesia’s legal framework, while increasingly accommodating digital evidence through electronic transaction laws, still faces challenges in consistent application and forensic capacity. The article argues that harmonization of evidentiary standards is essential to enhance cross-border legal cooperation and ensure fair trial guarantees. It proposes the development of regional guidelines on electronic evidence admissibility within ASEAN frameworks. The study concludes that legal certainty in digital evidence requires both doctrinal reform and regional judicial cooperation.
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