By: Bagas Arya Mahendra )*
The enactment of the 2026 Witness and Victim Protection Law (PSDK) marks a significant milestone in reforming the national legal system. This regulation not only strengthens the protection framework but also marks a new direction in state policy that increasingly places victims at the center of the criminal justice process.
The passage of the PSDK law reflects the government and the House of Representatives’ commitment to addressing real needs on the ground. To date, witness and victim protection has often faced various limitations, both regulatory and institutional. With the passage of this new law, the government demonstrates its commitment to a fairer and more responsive system.
During the deliberations, Andreas Hugo, Deputy Chairman of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), explained that the PSDK Bill is part of the priority National Legislation Program for 2025–2026. Deliberations began after the DPR received a presidential letter, which served as the formal basis for reviewing the regulation. This process demonstrates that the law’s formation was structured and in accordance with constitutional mechanisms.
Andreas further explained that the substance of this law was drafted comprehensively through various discussion forums. The in-depth study involved academics and stakeholders, and was complemented by public hearings as a form of public participation. This approach ensures that the resulting regulations are not merely normative but also address the real needs of community protection.
The PSDK Law significantly expands the scope of protection. It covers not only witnesses and victims, but also witnesses, perpetrators, reporters, informants, and experts who play a crucial role in the judicial process. This expansion is a strategic step to ensure the safety of all parties involved in law enforcement.
The Chairman of the Witness and Victim Protection Agency, Achmadi, welcomed the ratification of this law as a significant milestone in strengthening protection. He believes this new regulation will strengthen the agency’s authority and capacity in carrying out its duties. In his view, the law reflects the state’s commitment to more comprehensive witness and victim protection.
Institutional strengthening is a key pillar of the 2026 PSDK Law. The LPSK (Lembaga Masyarakat Pemberantasan Korupsi) is positioned as an independent state institution free from interference. This step is crucial to ensure that protection is provided objectively and professionally, without the influence of vested interests.
The Chairman of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Willy Aditya, emphasized that strengthening the LPSK also includes expanding its structure to the regions. Currently, the agency’s limited reach has often resulted in delays in providing protection in certain areas. This situation is considered to have the potential to increase the risk to victims who need immediate protection.
Willy believes that the presence of LPSK representatives in the regions will expedite the response to reports and protection needs. With a structure closer to the community, the case handling process can be carried out more effectively and efficiently. This is a concrete step in strengthening the state’s presence at the local level.
In addition to strengthening the structure, the PSDK law also introduces innovation through the establishment of a victim’s endowment fund and a victim assistance fund. This scheme is designed to address the financing challenges that have long hindered the fulfillment of victims’ rights. The government views financial support as a crucial part of the recovery process.
With a sustainable funding mechanism, victims are expected to have access to more adequate services, including treatment and rehabilitation. This policy demonstrates that the state is not solely focused on the legal aspects, but also on the victims’ comprehensive recovery.
The 2026 PSDK Law also stipulates the establishment of a special task force to handle emergencies. This unit is expected to provide rapid protection in situations involving threats or pressure on witnesses and victims. This step represents the state’s response to the increasingly complex dynamics of crime.
Beyond relying solely on the government’s role, this regulation also opens up opportunities for public participation through the Witness and Victim Friend program. This scheme reflects the spirit of mutual cooperation in providing support to those in need of protection. The government believes that public involvement will strengthen the effectiveness of the protection system.
A paradigm shift is one of the main achievements of this law. The justice system, which was previously more perpetrator-oriented, is now shifting to give greater attention to victims. This approach reflects the state’s efforts to provide more balanced justice.
Strengthening institutional capacity is also an integral part of this policy. The LPSK (Lembaga Penidakan Masyarakat) is encouraged to improve the quality of its human resources and budget support. With stronger capacity, the institution is expected to be able to carry out its protection function optimally and sustainably.
The implementation of the PSDK law will be a key determinant of its success in practice. The government places monitoring and evaluation as a crucial element to ensure that each provision is implemented as intended.
With strong regulatory support, strengthened institutions, and public participation, the new direction of victim protection in Indonesia is expected to become even more robust. This step also confirms the state’s presence not only in law enforcement but also in ensuring tangible justice for all levels of society.
*) Lecturer in Constitutional Law
