Jokowi Shows Signal to Establish TGPF for Novel Baswedan Case

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi started showing signal to establish a joint fact-finding team (TGPF) concerning the attack against KPK senior investigator Novel Baswedan.

Presidential spokesman Johan Budi stated the President will once again summon Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian and question the progress of the investigation. "Before deciding to form TGPF, the President wants to hear the progress report of the investigation by the Police Chief," said Johan at the State Palace, as published by Koran Tempo on Thursday, March 1. 

Johan said Jokowi asked Tito to not only find the suspect, but also the main actor or the planner behind the crime. "Because every law enforcement, not only Novel, while carrying out the task, especially in eradicating corruption, should not experience terror, intimidation," he asserted.

Two unidentified men splashed Novel with acid water after he had morning prayers near his residence on April 11, last year. Several people had allegedly stalked and supervised Novel and family about two months before the incident. However, the joint team of Jakarta Police has yet gained any progress in handling the case until its 323rd day.

Read: Haris Azhar Says Syafii Maarif Can Lead TGPF for Novel Baswedan

Police always argued to have difficulty in uncovering the assault despite many witnesses present at the crime scene. Some peculiarity surrounded the investigation process conducted by the police, including the alleged attempt to eliminate the evidence, a suspect’s fingerprint in the cup containing acid water.

Jakarta police spokesman Comm. Argo Yuwono claimed his institution was able to solve Novel case. He said the investigators were still working hard to collect some information and guidance about the suspect. "We don’t need to (form TGPF). We are still working, even cooperating with KPK investigators. We had meetings from the very beginning," Argo said.

Novel Baswedan declared he was ready to undergo additional examination after his second major operation at March-end. However, he was skeptical the police will solve the case. He criticized the accusation to him that he was uncooperative during the investigation was truly inappropriate. "We (Novel and Police investigators) had discussions for a long time (in Novel's house), not a chitchat, but in-depth conversation related to the attack against me," Novel said.

However, Novel Baswedan assumed President Jokowi had the responsibility to settle the case through the establishment of TGPF. The thought was also conveyed by Novel's legal counsel Haris Azhar since no more important clue could be dug up by the police from Novel. Haris stated all the information and evidence possessed by the police was enough to figure out the suspect. "The question now is the police willing to reveal (the case)," said Haris.

Fransisco Rosarians Enga Geken | IMAM HAMDI | DEWI NURITA | FRISKI RIANA