Not Difficult to Disclose "Auctor Intellectualis" Behind Terror
Novel Baswedan
Novel Baswedan was reciting doa (invocation) after performing subuh prayers solemnly early that morning. He ended the invocation after sunrise. Then, Novel stood and performed the dhuha prayer. After the dhuha prayer, we met. We hugged and exchanged news. Traces of the attack on him were still apparent.
The cornea of his left eye has been damaged, leaving him unable to see out of his left eye.
His right eye has not fully recovered, but he can see out of it. “Thank God. I am optimistic my right eye will fully recover. But my left eye is damaged,” Novel said.
The acid attack damaged Novel’s corneas. The cornea in his left eye will not recover because the April 11 acid attack on Novel caused too much damage.
Police personnel
Novel was interviewed after prayers on Saturday (22/7). Novel spoke about the acid attack and the police general allegedly behind it. That morning, Novel also talked about the electronic identification (e-ID) corruption case, which has not been completely solved but House Speaker Setya Novanto has been named a suspect.
After the acid attack, it was said that you obtained a photograph of the perpetrator from the Densus 88 counterterrorism squad.
I was contacted via my family and then I contacted them. It was one of my seniors. He told me a team had been set up by the National Police chief. I was surprised because it was only one week or a few days [after the attack] that the police took the step, which I thought was good. I am an investigator, so I know how to uncover such action. Then, he handed a photograph to me. So, if the public thinks the photograph was from me, they are wrong. The photograph was from the National Police, from a middle-ranking policeman. I believe the photograph was obtained professionally and I appreciated it. But the public denied it. It’s up to them.
The photograph was produced for you to confirm?
Since the beginning, I told the investigators and police officers who asked me that I did not see the perpetrator. This has been explained, since the very beginning. I have repeatedly given information. It is not true that I never gave any information. Well, that is not a dossier. There are some neighbors, I said some, because the witnesses are many. And they have confirmed that the perpetrator was that man.
Do you think the perpetrator will be arrested?
I was convinced he would be. But now I am convinced otherwise. Well, I hope the police will take a positive step. For me, whether the police arrest the perpetrator or not, there are many reasons.
With all their facilities, do you think the police have the ability to uncover the case?
Not only [arrest] the perpetrator. I am convinced the police can arrest the intellectual actor. It’s not difficult. The police are trained and experienced. There are many cases of terrorism in Indonesia. You know, this is not easy. But the police can do it.
Do you think many individuals will be dragged into the case if the "auctor intellectualis" is revealed?
I think so. That\'s one possibility. There is information that an individual at the National Police is involved in the case. That is a reason why investigators dare not reveal the case. I think that is true.
There’s information about the involvement of a police general. Where did the information come from?
Well, I got a lot of information from the National Police, the media and the public. I have reason to believe the information is true.
The National Police chief has talked to you several times. Is there a strong commitment to solving the case?
I think he is a police intellectual. Among my seniors in the National Police, he is a figure who wants to improve the police. But it\'s not that easy. It requires sacrifice and commitment. There are many challenges and obstacles, and resistance as well.
Do you think the acid attack was because you are investigating the e-ID graft case?
I did not want to relate it to a single case because there are many possibilities. It may because of other interests or an accumulation of interests.
If, after you recover, the perpetrator is not disclosed, will the risk be the same?
Basically, I see every occurrence as God’s will. Whoever the person, however strong the person, he or she can do nothing if it is not God’s will. Given that view, I am not afraid at all. My concern is that the agency that is responsibility [for disclosing the perpetrator] will lose public trust. That would be a problem, and the state would be seen as failing to protect that agency.
Wasn\'t your courage affected by the attack?
God willing. No. People have the courage to do evil things. So why wouldn\'t we have the courage to do good things? For me, everything that happens is God\'s will. That is what makes me believe I must be brave.
(KHAERUDIN)
