What Will Be Regulated in the Witness and Victim Protection Bill?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) and the government will soon commence discussions on the Witness and Victim Protection Bill (RUU PSDK). The RUU PSDK will regulate protections for relevant subjects, including expanding its scope and strengthening the rights of witnesses and victims. “In order to refine and update these regulations, the RUU PSDK contains several normative enhancements, including: First. Expansion of protected subjects that not only covers witnesses and victims, but also other parties with important roles in criminal justice processes, such as witnesses, victims, perpetrator witnesses, reporters, informants, and/or experts,” said Deputy Minister of Law Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej at the DPR Building in Jakarta on Monday (30/3/2026). Second, strengthening the rights of witnesses and victims, including physical and psychological protection, legal aid, accompaniment, access to case development information, as well as recovery through restitution, compensation, and rehabilitation. Third, strengthening the authority and institutions for witness and victim protection, which will be further regulated through a Presidential Regulation. “Fourth, Regulation of the forms and mechanisms of protection that are more flexible and adaptive according to the characteristics of the case as well as the needs of witnesses, victims, perpetrator witnesses, reporters, informants, and experts who receive protection,” stated Eddy. Sixth, affirmation of the state’s responsibility in ensuring the continuity of protection for witnesses and victims. “Seventh, regulation regarding the endowment fund for witness and victim protection, aligned with the provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code and intended to ensure the sustainability of funding for victim recovery on an ongoing basis,” said Eddy. This is because the state has an obligation to guarantee a sense of security and access to justice for witnesses and victims. “Regulations on witness and victim protection have been governed by Law Number 13 of 2006 as amended by Law Number 31 of 2014,” explained Eddy. “However, after more than 20 years in effect, it still faces various limitations in normative aspects, institutions, and implementation,” he added. Chairman of DPR Commission XIII Willy Aditya stated that his side has formed a working committee (panja) to discuss the bill with the government. “Insha’Allah, the panja will later be led by Mrs Dewi Asmara, and we have formed the panja, and we will announce the names later,” said Willy during a working meeting with the government on Monday (30/3/2026).