Anti-Corruption Activist Targeted in Bombing in Probolinggo

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The house of an anti-corruption activist based in Probolinggo, East Java, Buchori Muslim, was destroyed by a bomb blast on Wednesday, November 26, 2014.

Buchori Muslim, who is the Chairman of the Monitoring Agency for Indonesian Public Officials, said that a bomb went off near the entrance of his house, devastating parts of his house - especially the guest reception area and the terrace. "Chairs were blown out of the house," said Buchori at his house at Mayangan sub-district in Probolinggo.

The bomb - which is thought to be a modified fishing dynamite - exploded at around 02:00 AM local time, and destroyed a street stall across from Buchori's home. "Luckily, no one was harmed or injured in the incident," he said.

Buchori said that his wife immediately woke him up after the she heard the blast at around 02:00 in the morning. Buchori also added that although he does not know the identity of his attacker, he suspects that the incident is related to his work as an anti-corruption activist - especially since he currently acting as an observer to several on-going corruption cases in Probolinggo.

The forensic team from East Java Police have since examined the scene of the explosion and took statements from Buchori, his wife as well as other possible witnesses. "We are still investigating the matter," said the Head of Crime Division at Probolinggo Police department, Adj. Comr. Damas Bastiar.

DAVID PRIYASIDHARTA | ANTARA