Witness and Victim Protection Act: When Informants and Reporters Enter the National Protection Scheme

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The expansion of protection under the Witness and Victim Protection Act (UU PSDK) represents one of the most significant changes in Indonesia’s criminal justice system. The state now no longer limits protection solely to witnesses and victims but also encompasses perpetrator witnesses, reporters, informants, and experts. This change underscores that threats in the legal process are no longer straightforward. Many parties who play crucial roles in case disclosures are actually in vulnerable positions, even though they were not previously included in protected categories. Deputy Chairman of the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) Wawan Fahrudin emphasised that protection is not granted automatically but through a rigorous assessment process as regulated in Article 28 of Law No. 31 of 2014 on Witness and Victim Protection. “We will conduct an assessment on every application, in addition to fulfilling formal and material aspects, by examining the importance of the testimony, threats, track record, and medical and psychological assessments,” Wawan told Kompas.com on Thursday (23/4/2026). Conversely, the state seeks to ensure that protection is provided selectively and on target, considering the relevance of the testimony and the level of threat faced. However, the need for expanded protection did not arise without reason. In criminal justice practice, many parties outside of witnesses and victims face real risks, especially those involved in case disclosures. In a separate interview with Kompas.com, researcher from the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) Asry Alkazahfa assessed that this expansion is important because threats can target anyone in the judicial process. “This expansion of subjects is important because those who need protection in the criminal justice system are not limited to those recognised by the previous UU PSDK,” said Asry. “For example, an informant provides information and then is threatened; this needs protection, because the threat could also harm them in other positions,” he stated. Without clear procedures, the expansion of subjects could potentially create legal uncertainty.