National Police Ask KPK to Join Investigation into Novel Case

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police chief General Tito Karnavian has asked the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to join investigation into an acid attack against senior investigator Novel Baswedan. "We offer the KPK to form a team that can back up or assist the police team," Tito said at the KPK building yesterday.

Tito met with the KPK leadership yesterday. His team is open to cooperate with the anti-graft agency to avoid any suspicion against the police, according to him. Particularly, Tito said, after Novel revealed an alleged involvement of a general—top police officer—in the attack that took place on April 11. "The police are not comfortable with it and we don’t want to be put under suspicion. It would be better if we are more open by being assisted by the KPK team," he said.

According to Tito, the KPK may be involved in the investigation process, for example, by examining alibis and cross-checking suspect individuals with witness statement, as well as working closely in information technology. "The police are committed to uncover the case as quickly as possible," he said.

Earlier, civil society coalitions have urged the president to form an independent fact-finding team to reveal the attack against Novel. Two months after the incident, the police could yet crack down on the perpetrators.

In a recent interview with Time.com published last week, Novel said that he was informed about a top police officer’s involvement in this case.

In response to Tito’s statement, the KPK chief Agus Rahardjo said he will review the agency’s capability for assisting and supporting the police. "As you have already know, we are graft investigators, not criminal ones," Agus said.

FRISKI RIANA | EGI ADYATAMA | NINIS CHAIRUNNISA