JAKARTA, Jan. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- The Indonesian government plans to give more power to the country's anti-money laundering watchdog amid the global fight against the crime, reports said Monday.

    The Financial Transaction Reports Analysis Center (PPATK) will be allowed to take over investigation of cases from the police as well as freezing assets and halting financial transactions linked to the alleged crime, said The Jakarta Post newspaper.

    The related government institutions are currently drafting the new law.

    Non-bank institutions, such as public accountants, property agents and developers, jewelry and antique shops, car dealers, lawyer and non-government organizations will be obliged to report suspicious transactions to the watchdog.

    "We will also get the authority to postpone such transactions and give administrative sanctions to those who fail to report them," PPATK Chairman Yunus Husein told the newspaper.

    PPATK's current task is to analyze incoming reports and present them to the police for further investigation. Enditem