Alleged Gratification In NTB: 15 Legislators Apply For Protection, LPSK Starts Tracing Threats

As many as 15 members of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) of West Nusa Tenggara Province submitted a request for protection to the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) regarding the alleged gratification case that has dragged three people as suspects.

LPSK Expert, Tomi Permana, confirmed the request.

"Yes, a total of 15 members of the NTB DPRD have requested. The application was submitted on November 24 last," he said as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, December 2.

LPSK followed up on the application by including it in the category of Fulfillment of Procedural Rights (PHP) because the legislators were still witnesses.

According to Tomi, the assessment of the petition was carried out based on a number of conditions in Article 28 paragraph (1) of Law Number 13 of 2006 concerning the Protection of Witnesses and Victims.

These parameters include the level of threat, the applicant's track record, and psychological assessments.

"Because this is related to corruption cases, it must be seen how far the threat can affect the disclosure of the case. This is still being investigated," he said.

LPSK has also asked for information from the members of the DPRD and opened space for legal protection if the requirements are met. "This is temporary what we see," he said.

In addition to examining the applicant, LPSK will coordinate with the NTB High Prosecutor's Office as the party handling the case.

"Whether everything is purely a witness or someone will be examined as a suspect, that's him," said Tomi.

He added, to strengthen the basis for providing protection, LPSK requires opinions from outside parties representing the community, including non-governmental organizations and journalists who follow the development of cases.

With this application, LPSK hopes to support law enforcement carried out by the prosecutor's office.

"This means that it does not stop at his testimony alone. For example, dismantling who is planning, depositing anywhere, on whose orders. That is the LPSK target, helping to uncover cases. The most important thing is to provide information," said Tomi.