TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Police Brig. Gen. Rikwanto unexpectedly telephoned Syailendra Persada from Tempo on Friday last week. The Chief of the Public Information Bureau at the Public Relations Division, National Police Headquarters, had received an order from National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian to answer Tempo's questions regarding the return of two police investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to the police force.

The day before, Tito had received a letter requesting that interview right before he became a professor at the Police Science University. Tito responded to this interview request with a text message. Because he was in the United States to give a speech about terrorism, he wrote that "Brig. Gen. Rikwanto will answer (your questions)."

Read: Police Urge KPK to Investigate Initiator of Evidence Tampering

The KPK is discussing the recall of two police investigators last October because there are suspicions that this was connected to cases they are currently handling. Moreover, the recall of Snr. Adj. Comsr. Roland Ronaldy and Comsr. Harun came before their assignments at the KPK were up, and Harun had received promotions by being enrolled at the National Police Staff and Leadership School. Rikwanto answered in writing.

Is it true that the National Police asked the KPK to send those two investigators back to the police force?

The assignment of police personnel outside of the police force does indeed come with time limits. When the time is about up, it can be extended or the person returns to the force. The return of Roland and Harun to the force was based on KPK leadership letter number R/4136/KP.07/01-54/10/2017 which was sent last October 13.

According to information we heard, that evidence was lost because it mentioned the names of officials at National Police Headquarters. What is your response?

It is clear that the National Police Chief will not interfere in such technical matters because it is not part of his work. The National Police Chief does not know about such technical matters.

Read the full article in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine