Waiting for the President\'s Stance

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Nur Kholis (left), the spokesman of the National Police’s fact-finding team (TPF) assigned to investigate the acid attack on Novel Baswedan, briefs reporters on the team’s findings on Wednesday (17/7/2019) at the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta. Appearing alongside National Police public relations head Mohammad Iqbal, Nur said that the TPF had discovered three unknown individuals that might be connected to the attack on the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) senior investigator, and recommended that the National Police chief form a technical field team to follow up on its findings.

The acid attack on an investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Novel Baswedan, was an attack on corruption eradication. It is natural for the public to pay great attention to it.

The acid attack on Novel took place on 11 April 2017. Kompas reported on 12 April 2017 that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo sent a strong message following the incident. The President said the acid attack was brutal and uncivilized. "Do not ever let people who have such strong principles be harmed in an uncivilized manner. Such violence cannot be repeated."

In the same news piece, the President ordered National Police chief Gen. (Pol.) Tito Karnavian to investigate the case. Then, the police chief ordered then-Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochamad Iriawan to form a special team to investigate the case. Time passed.

However, 827 days since the incident, the case remains in the dark. Ahead of the presidential candidate debate, the National Police chief formed a fact finding team (TPF) on 8 January 2019. A number of human rights activists were involved, such as former chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Ifdhal Kasim, and human rights activist Nur Kholis, Hendardi, and a number of other names. The TPF was given 60 days. On Wednesday, 17 July 2019, the TPF reported its findings to the public.

The TPF said the attack might be related to six cases being handled. The TPF recommended that the National Police chief form a police technical team to look into the case. The team was chaired by the chief of the National Police\'s Criminal Investigation Department, Comr. Gen. Idham Azis, who also used to serve as the Jakarta Police chief.

Investigation into Novel’s case seems to be moving in circles. From one team to another. It makes sense that this has caused disappointment among the public. The public should be worried about the future of eradicating corruption, including the future of the KPK. Will the KPK\'s aggressiveness in combating corruption be dampened by the various dynamics surrounding the KPK? It will also be largely determined by President Jokowi\'s political stance and determination.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Members of the National Police’s fact-finding team (TPF) assigned to investigate the acid attack on Novel Baswedan pose with National Police public relations head Mohammad Iqbal (third left) and a copy of their 2,700-page report during a press briefing on Wednesday (17/7/2019) at the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta. The TPF said it had discovered three unknown individuals that might be connected to the 11 April 2017 attack on the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) senior investigator, and recommended that the National Police chief form a technical field team to follow up on its findings.

As the head of state, the public has high hopes for President Jokowi. Forming a joint fact-finding joint team is one effort that can be taken. From the public’s point of view, the prolonged disclosure of the Novel case at least indicates there are other "figures" involved in the case.

We encourage President Jokowi to take political steps to resolve the case and maintain the existence of a strong KPK. The desire to form a strong country and a strong KPK is included in Nawacita (nine-point development program). However, Nawacita and rhetoric have no meaning if no concrete steps are taken. Do not let the KPK weaken, even in the era of President Jokowi. We believe in the President.