KPK Haters, Mafia Allegedly Hamper Investigation into Acid Attack
27 November 2017 16:18 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The release of sketches of two suspects allegedly involved in the attack against Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Novel Baswedan did not deter the Anticorruption Civil Society Coalition to call for the formation of an independent fact-finding team (TGPF).
Feri Amsari, researcher with the Center for Constitutional Law Studies, reasoned that the acid attack against Novel Baswedan could not be considered as a usual criminal offense because of the existence of mafias and groups who are against the KPK.
“A neutral investigation conducted by a fact-finding team is necessary,” said Feri on Sunday, November 26.
Read: Police Release Sketches of Novel Baswedan’s Attackers
On Friday, November 24, the Jakarta Metro Police released sketches of the possible suspects. Jakarta Poice Chief General Idham Azis claimed that the sketches are 90 percent accurate.
Previously on July 31, National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian released a sketch of one of the suspects. However, police were only able to provide the sketch seven months after the incident took place without any significant progress.
Sluggish police investigation into the case had driven the coalition to urge President Joko WIdodo or Jokowi to form an independent fact-finding team. But following the recent sketch release, KPK Chairman Agus Rahardjo stated that he will not push for the formation of an alternative independent team since the police are committed to solving the case.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) member Julius Ibrani personally thinks that there has not been any significant progress since the first sketch of the suspect was released, despite media exposures.
Read: Novel Baswedan Urged to Reveal Police Generals behind Acid Attack
“A similar sketch was once released by the media, which lacks the authority. Meanwhile, the police that has the authority has just recently released the sketches” said Julius.
Previously, Tempo released facial sketches of two suspected attackers responsible for throwing a glass of acid to Novel Baswedan’s face. The sketches were made based on the testimonies of several key witnesses in July and August.
MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI
