TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Novel Baswedan, a senior investigator of Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), suggested Jakarta Metro Police investigators apply the article of attempted murder to charge two perpetrators of the acid attack against him. Novel considered the currently used article of persecution unfit.

“The attack against me is a planned, attempted murder. So this could be suggestions for investigators to conduct a further examination,” said Novel after the police examination in Jakarta Metro Police headquarters on Monday, January 6.

Novel was grilled for 8 hours and faced 35 questions. The cousin of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan explained he was asked about the medical treatment of his eyes in Singapore and whether he recognized the attackers, Rahmat Kadir Mahulette and Ronny Bugis.

“I do not know of them, never met, have communication, or other interactions in personal or institutional business with the suspects,” said Novel, recalling his answer during the questioning.

On April 11, 2017, Novel was splashed with acid water after he performed dawn prayer at Al-Ihsan Mosque near his house in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. For two and a half years, the police yet found the suspect.

In December’s end of 2019, the police arrested two alleged perpetrators, who are active policemen, in Kelapa Dua, Depok, West Java. Ronny Bugis is reportedly the attacker, while Rahmat helped Ronny by giving a ride.

The suspects face charges of Article 170 (2) and or Article 351 (2) of the Criminal Code concerning persecution with a maximum penalty of 5 years and 9 years.

Meanwhile, the article on attempted murder as suggested by Novel Baswedan is Article 340 in conjunction with Article 53 (1) of the Criminal Code. The penalty is a death sentence or life imprisonment or for a specified time, twenty years for maximum.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH