TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo alias Jokowi has ordered the National Police to pursue the attackers of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Investigator Novel Baswedan.

“It’s a criminal act; it’s the police’s task to find the attackers,” Jokowi said at the State Palace yesterday. He hoped similar incidents will not happen in the future. “Don’t let it happen to people who stay true to their principles.”

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He has condemned the perpetrator of the criminal act. “It’s a brutal act. I strongly condemn it,” Jokowi said.

Novel was attacked on Tuesday morning with hydrochloric acid by two unidentified men after he performed the early morning prayer near his house in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. The attackers who rode a motorcycle immediately left the scene after the attack.

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The National Police chief General Tito Karnavian has responded to Jokowi’s request by forming a special team. The team will investigate the perpetrator and the motive behind the acid attack.

According to him, the team comprises of personnel of North Jakarta Police, Jakarta Metro Police, and the National Police Headquarters. “We also set up security measures at the hospital and his residence,” Tito said.

Novel is currently treated at Jakarta Eye Center in Menteng, Central Jakarta. He suffers a wound to his left eyelid and a bump to his left forehead after hitting a tree following the acid attack.

ISTMAN MUSA HARUN | MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI | VINDRY FLORENTIN