LPSK will protect Freeport informants

The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) says it is ready to protect anyone who comes forward to shed light on payments by PT Freeport to the National Police.

“Of course we are ready to receive them. However, obviously, they must meet certain requirements,” LPSK chief Abdul Haris Sesmendawai said in a press conference in Jakarta on Monday as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

He added that the agency was prepared to take initiative in approaching people who may have vital information on the matter.

“If we know someone who has information on the Freeport case, we will contact that person,” he said.

The Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) recently revealed that PT Freeport Indonesia paid Rp 1.25 million (US$140) every month to police officers on duty around the company’s premises. In 2010, Freeport gave US$ 14 million in security funds to the police.

National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo admitted that officers in Papua had accepted money from Freeport, but considered it merely to be pocket money, which he said officers were entitled to.

Timur said he was willing to be questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission and the Supreme Audit Agency.