“I urge the government to ensure protection for those on the front line in combating corruption. If it doesn’t, then everyone will be afraid to fight corruption,” former KPK chairman Abraham Samad said on Tuesday.

Abraham made the statement in connection to a recent incident in which an unidentified person hurled acid in Novel’s face, resulting in burns and blurred vision. 

The incident took place earlier Tuesday when Novel was about to return home after morning prayers at a mosque near his home in North Jakarta. He is in the intensive care unit of a hospital. 

“The country must have a concept on how to protect them,” Abraham said, adding that the attack was obviously a criminal act aimed at silencing Novel. 

(Read also: Novel in good condition despite injuries: Presidential spokesperson)

Another former KPK chairman, Busyro Muqoddas, said the President should establish a joint team to investigate who instigated and carried out the attack.

“There must be a relation between the assault [and a particular case], and the government should not let it continue. The perpetrators should not be allowed to go free,” Busyro said.

Novel is a KPK investigator who could be perceived as a threat by people involved in corruption. He is currently heading up an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of e-ID card procurement funds, a case in which prominent political figures have been implicated, including House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto. (dan)

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