Three bodies vow to protect graft, drugs witnesses

The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) have declared full protection for witnesses in graft and drugs cases, especially those who file reports to the authorities.

The joint declaration was made Monday in order to help legal authorities settle ongoing cases.

“Hopefully [the protection] can rectify law enforcement's biggest shortcoming in the country,” LPSK member Teguh Sudarsono said before the agreement was signed in Jakarta as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

KPK deputy chief Haryono Umar said the commission has its own protection program for witnesses but that most witness requested similar services from the LPSK. The double protection had hampered the KPK's ability to settle cases due to multiple permits, he added.

LPSK chief Abud Haris Semendawai said he hoped the joint protection would optimize the body’s performance in handling witnesses of corruption and drug-related cases.