Challenges in Protecting Witnesses and Victims in Remote Areas

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The newly enacted Witness and Victim Protection Law (UU PSDK) passed by the House of Representatives stipulates that the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) must establish representatives in the regions.

LPSK Deputy Head Wawan Fahrudin emphasised that the formation of LPSK regional offices will be carried out gradually, not immediately, and based on real needs in the field.

LPSK is currently preparing a comprehensive study that will serve as the basis for drafting the Organisational Structure and Work Procedure (SOTK).

The study covers various important aspects, from budget requirements and availability of human resources to infrastructure readiness in the regions, including support from local governments.

“In principle, the need to establish LPSK regional offices has become an urgent requirement to bring services closer and in line with the increasing demand for witness and victim protection services and rights fulfilment,” Wawan told Kompas.com on Friday (24/4/2026).

This model, according to him, is necessary to maintain consistency in service standards and prevent disparities in quality between regions.

In addition, the monitoring and evaluation (monev) mechanism for the performance of regional representatives will also be formulated in detail in the study and SOTK.

According to Asry, one of the main issues in the protection system so far has been the inequality of access, especially outside major cities.

Many victims and witnesses face difficulties in accessing services due to distance, bureaucracy, and limited information.

Nevertheless, he stressed that the presence of LPSK in the regions must be built through a collaborative approach, not independently.

“Another important aspect is coordination with other government units that already provide services, such as the PPA Technical Implementation Unit,” said Asry.

“So that protection in the regions by LPSK does not have to start from scratch and can maximise existing facilities,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Muhammad Isnur, highlighted a more crucial aspect, namely the capacity and integrity of human resources at the regional level.