KPK tape casts shadows over witness protection agency

Experts say the image of the relatively new Victim and Witness Protection Agency (LPSK) has been seriously tainted by the recent public playing of a recording revealing a possible conspiracy between one of its leaders and a graft suspect.

The agency was officially established in Aug. 8, 2008, however, the law regulating its authority was passed in 2006. The 2006 LPSK Law stipulates that the agency must provide full protection to witnesses or victims of criminal acts.

Article 10 of the law stipulates that witnesses under LPSK protection cannot be charged either with the Criminal Code or the Civil Law. It also stipulates that the testimony of a witness who is also a suspect in a criminal case can be used by judges as a consideration in reducing the witness' punishment (if they are found guilty).

The LPSK must also coordinate with other law-enforcement institutions when it wants to provide protection for witnesses who are also suspects, Gadjah Mada University (Yogyakarta) legal expert Zainal Arifin Muchtar, said Sunday.

Controversial recordings played during a recent public hearing at the Constitutional Court revealed that LPSK deputy chairman Ketut Sudiarsa had apparently violated this regulation.

The recordings were of a conversation between Ketut and Anggodo Widjojo, the younger brother of graft fugitive Anggoro Widjojo, and revealed that Anggodo had asked Ketut to grant protection for Anggoro, who was being pursued by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Ketut told Anggodo he needed to meet Anggoro in person in Singapore, where Anggoro was believed to be staying.

Ketut also told Anggodo the KPK was "not a problem", in ensuring Anggoro's protection.

After the conversation went public, Ketut and the LPSK came under the spotlight because the recording also revealed an even bigger conspiracy involving a number of high-ranking officers at the National Police and the Attorney Generals' Office (AGO).

The officials had apparently conspired in a plot to frame KPK deputy leaders Chandra M. Hamzah and Bibit Samad Riyanto with abuse of power, bribery and extortion charges.

It was also revealed that the LPSK was reluctant to protect Ari Muladi, despite his crucial role in the Bibit-Chandra case. Ari is believed to be the broker who delivered a bribe to KPK deputies.

Ari later retracted his initial testimony, and said he had not met the deputies or distributed money to the KPK directly.

The LPSK is scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss Ari's protection.

The LPSK issue was a true depiction of the ugly and corrupt face of the selection process used for high ranking officers in law enforcement institutions, Zainal said.

"We have seen many of our law enforcement agencies tarnished in the past because of a poor selection of officials," he said.

"For example, the KPK scandal began when its chief, Antasari *Azhar*, got into trouble."

Antasari was allegedly the mastermind behind the murder of Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, in a love triangle scandal.

"Therefore, the House of Representatives should stop using political considerations when selecting state officials," Zainal said.

"I believe that the House should use a panel of experts that can probe official candidates with more integrity and professionalism."