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If left unsolved, Novel’s attack could be Jokowi’s ‘political grave’
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Welcome back: A colleague hugs Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) senior investigator Novel Baswedan at the KPK office in Jakarta after he arrived from Singapore on Thursday, Feb. 22. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
he authorities have been called on to step up efforts to complete their investigation into the acid attack against Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) senior investigator Novel Baswedan, which has remained unsolved after 10 months.
Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, the chairman of the youth wing of Indonesia’s second biggest Islamic organization Muhammadiyah, said the attack on Novel could potentially reduce President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s popularity ahead of the 2019 presidential election if he did not move quickly to solve the case.
“This is because Pak Jokowi’s main political promises were on human rights abuse settlements and the fight against corruption. If neither are achieved, it could become Jokowi's ‘political grave’,” said Dahnil, as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday.
(Read also: Jokowi will assess Novel’s investigation before forming fact finding team)
He said the attack on Novel was not simply an attack on an individual, but an attack on Indonesia’s efforts to eradicate corruption.
“Novel was attacked because of his position as part of the state apparatus committed to combating corruption. This attack was an attack on our dreams as a nation as well,” said Dahnil.
Acid was thrown on Novel's face as he walked home after performing a predawn (subuh) prayer at Al-Ikhsan Mosque in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on April 11, 2017.
After the attack, Novel was rushed to Mitra Hospital in Kelapa Gading before being taken to the Jakarta Eye Center. His severely injured eyes could not be treated in Indonesia and doctors advised that Novel seek treatment in Singapore. Novel underwent his first round of eye surgery on Aug.17, 2017. (ebf)
