KPK wants witness protection law

KPK wants witness protection law

JAKARTA: The deputy chairman of the powerful Corruption
Eradication Commission (KPK), Erry Riyana Hardjapamengkas,
applauded on Thursday President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's plan
to issue a presidential instruction on corruption eradication in
early December.

"We welcome the planned instruction dealing with the
prevention and prosecution of corruption cases, but the
government must also enact laws on witness protection and
information freedom," Erry was quoted by Antara as saying.

Susilo, who took his oath of office on Oct. 20, has made the
anticorruption drive his top priority in his first 100 days in
office. Corruption has been blamed for the country's prolonged
economic crisis.

"Efforts to fight corruption will gain public support if the
government enacts a witness protection law. Many people have
solid proof (of corruption) but do not report it to the KPK or
law enforcers, fearing that they too will be declared suspects,"
he said. Antara