Fajarasia.id– Deputy Chair of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sugiat Santoso, affirmed that the revision of the Witness and Victim Protection Law (RUU PSDK) carries a new spirit of safeguarding victims and witnesses of criminal acts. He stressed that strengthening the legal framework is essential to ensure justice for those affected.
Sugiat explained that the current law has largely focused on corrective justice, punishing perpetrators as severely as possible. However, the revised bill introduces a broader perspective, incorporating rehabilitative justice to ensure the state is present for victims. “It’s not only about punishing offenders, but also about how the state stands with victims of crime,” Sugiat said during a Legislative Forum titled ‘Concrete Efforts of DPR RI to Maximize Protection for Witnesses and Victims through RUU PSDK’ at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta.
The Gerindra Party legislator highlighted weaknesses in victim protection, citing cases where crime victims were denied medical treatment due to administrative issues with BPJS health insurance. “In the context of state presence, such administrative barriers should no longer prevent victims from receiving immediate help,” he emphasized.
Sugiat underscored that there can be no compromise when human lives are at stake, especially when those lives are endangered as a result of crime. “Victims suffer because of the state’s failure to provide protection and security. When the state fails at that point, it must not fail again in delivering services,” he asserted.
The revised bill introduces several crucial provisions:
- Expanding the scope of crimes eligible for protection by the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), including civil cases.
- Ensuring protection for witnesses and victims not only outside but also within court proceedings, to prevent intimidation or interference.
- Strengthening LPSK’s institutional presence by extending its reach beyond the national level to provincial and district offices.
“If this bill is passed, LPSK will be established at provincial and district levels. With broader coverage, the institution can serve victims and witnesses more effectively without requiring them to travel to Jakarta,” Sugiat explained.
Sugiat, who also chairs Gerindra in North Sumatra, emphasized that the bill reflects the state’s responsibility to ensure justice and protection for all citizens. He expressed hope that the expanded scope and institutional strengthening of LPSK will provide more comprehensive support for victims and witnesses across Indonesia.***
