DKI PNS Allegedly Harassed Anies' Men, LPSK Ready To Provide Protection

JAKARTA - The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) offers assistance to victims of sexual harassment allegations committed by the inactive Head of the Jakarta Capital City Goods and Services Procurement Agency (BPPBJ), Blessmiyanda.

LPSK Deputy Chairman Edwin Partogi said that his party could not directly provide protection to victims without being asked when facing legal problems.

"LPSK cannot provide protection independently without an application because the protection is voluntary. So, those who need it must submit an application," said Edwin when contacted, Thursday, March 25.

Edwin said that protection is important because in the civil servant world there is a hierarchy that creates a power relationship between the suspected perpetrator and the victim and witnesses who could be his subordinates.

"This power relationship is often the way for sexual harassment to occur where the perpetrator takes advantage of his position to harass the victim. This includes threatening victims or witnesses not to provide information or report. This is where protection for victims and witnesses becomes important", he explained.

If the victim who is a civil servant of the DKI Provincial Government asks for help, Edwin admits that LPSK is ready to assist in solving the problem. In fact, Edwin said that this problem could be brought to the criminal realm.

"This criminal mechanism is important in our efforts to provide a deterrent effect and also ensure that the same incident does not happen again," he said.

Currently, the DKI Jakarta Inspectorate is conducting an examination of Blessmiyanda regarding the case that happened to him. However, this examination is only limited to administrative matters.

"So we suggest that the criminal mechanism be implemented. It is better if the Inspectorate of DKI also ensures that this incident does not affect the work of the victim," he said.

Previously, DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan temporarily suspended the Head of the Jakarta Goods and Services Procurement Service Agency (BPPBJ), Blessmiyanda due to a case.

When confirmed, Bless confirmed that he was temporarily discharged. Currently, Bless is undergoing an inspection at the Inspectorate of DKI Jakarta. However, Bless is reluctant to reveal what case he is currently facing.

"Yes, he will be temporarily discharged. As for the matter (case), I may not be able to convey it," said Bless on Wednesday, March 24.

When asked about the alleged sexual harassment case, Syaefuloh confirmed that it was included in one of the Inspectorate's examination materials to Bless. "That's the material (examination), yes," said Syaefuloh.

However, Syaefuloh was reluctant to explain further about the examination. "Later, yes. I'm in a hurry to go to a leadership meeting," he continued as he left.

Currently, Bless is still undergoing inspection at the DKI Inspectorate. To replace Bless's job for a while, Anies appointed DKI Jakarta Regional Secretariat Assistant Government Sigit Wijatmoko to be the Daily Executive (Plh) Head of the DKI BPPBJ.