Police Promise Transparent Investigation into Novel Baswedan Case

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Police chief said that a joint investigation team comprising the police and KPK will be formed to resolve an acid attack on Novel Baswedan. The two agencies will question Novel over the alleged involvement of a senior police officer in the case.

The decision to form an investigation team indicates that the police have found criminal elements in the incident.

Read: Police Chief Tito to Meet KPK over Novel Baswedan Case

Police Chief General Tito Karnavian said that he earlier delivered some findings to the (Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) commissioners on July 16. On the occasion, he asked the KPK to join the police to uncover the acid attack.

Moreover, Tito said that he will follow up Novel Baswedan’s accusation that a senior police officer was involved in the incident. The police will personally question the KPK investigator in Singapore. “We have set up a team to be dispatched to Singapore to question [Novel]. To be fair, we have asked the KPK to accompany us,” said the police chief.

Read: Police Comment on Sketch of Novel Baswedans Alleged Attacker

Tito said that anti-graft agency chief Agus Rahadjo or another commissioner will accompany the team. The police chief, however, said that has yet to discuss further with the anti-graft over the plan to depart for Singapore. “Maybe in the next couple of days, we will hold talks with the KPK commissioners to discuss the measures,” Tito said.

“Also to discuss joint measures to reveal Novel Baswedan’s case. It’s a joint investigation team between the Police and the KPK,” Tito noted.

AMIRULLAH SUHADA