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Acid attack against KPK investigator condemned
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Get ready: Novel Baswedan (right) and two other Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators, Ambarita Damanik (left) and M. Irwan Santoso, arrive at the Jakarta Corruption Court to give testimony in the e-ID graft case trial on March 27. (Antara/Sigid Kurniawan)
T
he National Police are being called to immediately investigate the acid attack against Novel Baswedan, a Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator.
Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, the chairman of the youth wing of Indonesia’s second biggest Islamic organization, Muhammadiyah, said he was shocked to hear the report about the physical attack against the senior antigraft investigator.
“I condemn this violence and expect authorities to impose a heavy sentence on the perpetrator,” Dahnil said in a statement on Tuesday.
He further said: “I call on all Indonesians to pray for Novel Baswedan and accompany him in fighting against barbaric acts of terror committed by crooks who are displeased with ongoing corruption eradication efforts in Indonesia."
"I urge the police to immediately take action against and arrest the perpetrators of the acid attack against Novel Baswedan."
(Read also: KPK investigator suffers burns in acid attack)
As reported earlier, Novel suffered severe burns when he was hit in the face with acid on his way home after he performed morning prayers in a mosque near his house in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on Tuesday. He is currently receiving medical treatment in Mitra Keluarga Hospital in Kelapa Gading.
Antara news reported that hydrochloric acid was splashed onto Novel’s face, but he remained conscious after the incident.
Novel is one of the top KPK investigators who has led some high-profile cases in the past, such as those related to the procurement of driver's license simulators, which implicated then National Police traffic division chief Insp. Gen. Djoko Susilo. Novel also took part in a KPK investigation that uncovered extensive corruption related to the implementation of an e-ID program. Several House of Representatives members and high-ranking government officials have been implicated in that case.
"I and all members of the Muhammadiyah youth wing will stand in the forefront in protecting and accompanying Novel Baswedan in his efforts to fight corrupt people who are a threat to this country," Dahnil said. (mrc/ebf)
