Cops target graft-fighter Novel to scare the KPK

JAKARTA. Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Comr. Novel Baswedan is likely to have his name remembered as antigraft hero after his decision to fight against corruption in his very own police corps.

KPK deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto has rated him as one of the best investigators at the agency.

Novel has served six years with the KPK and playing a pivotal role in several high-profile investigations, including cases involving defendant Muhammad Nazaruddin — the former Democratic Party treasurer.

He also helped uncover the role of Angelina Sondakh, a Democratic Party member of House of Representatives’ budget committee, in a bribery case involving officials at the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Culture and Education Ministry.

Novel, the cousin of Muslim scholar and Paramadina University rector Anies Baswedan, was also among the investigators who brought Nunun Nurbaeti, the wife of former National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. (ret) Adang Daradjatun, to justice in a bribery case.

Novel’s credentials also include his direct involvement in arresting Amran Batalipu, regent of Buol in Central Sulawesi, for alleged bribery that also involved business tycoon Siti Hartati Murdaya, a Democratic Party top official and key financier of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s presidential campaign in 2004 and 2009.

As one of his top assignments, Novel was tasked in July as a lead investigator to look into allegations of graft revolving around the procurement of driving simulators at the National Police Traffic Corps.

Currently in his 40s, Novel was in charge of an all-night raid at the Police Traffic Corps headquarters in South Jakarta, on July 30.

The raid ended in a standoff, with KPK investigators prevented from leaving the building by police officers.

The KPK succeeded in confiscating important evidence related to the case as Novel stood his ground against his superior at the National Police, saying he had the necessary authority for the raid under KPK regulations and court orders.

The antigraft commission named Insp. Gen. Djoko Susilo, the former chief of the National Police Traffic Corps, a key suspect in the case, making him the first two-star police general to be investigated by the KPK.

However, the National Police, apparently furious over the actions of its own, sent dozens of officers from the Bengkulu Police and the Jakarta Police to raid the KPK headquarters to forcibly arrest Novel late on Friday.

Bengkulu Police’s detective chief and Novel’s former supervisor, Sr. Comr. Dedy Rianto, led the arrest attempt, carrying with him an arrest warrant for Novel on charges related to a case from 2004.

According to Dedy, Novel took responsibility as the head of the Bengkulu criminal unit for the actions of his men as they shot six thieves during a robbery in progress. One suspect died as a result.

Bambang, however, said on Saturday the allegations were dubious.

“The police seemed to make up the case. It’s a blatant measure to undermine the KPK, and the public knows it,” he said.

He said the case was closed in 2004 after the police’s ethics board cleared Novel of any wrongdoing.

Novel recently decided to resign from the police force and become a permanent investigator for the KPK, a move that was strongly opposed by his colleagues and superiors at the police.

Taufik Baswedan, Novel’s older brother, said on Sunday that Novel and his family had been terrorized since he handled the driving simulator case.

“Novel recently told me that his house has been visited by unknown men, and before this night [the Friday night arrest attempt] he has endure many other forms of intimidation,” he said.

Police raid the KPK: Hour-by-hour breakdown

• Thursday
National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo sends officers to ask KPK deputy chairman Busyro Muqoddas for the immediate return of five police officers seconded to the KPK. The request was delivered in an “unfriendly way”, according to the KPK.

• Friday
♦ 5 p.m.
Insp. Gen. Djoko Susilo leaves KPK headquarters after ending his first interrogation session on his role in the vehicle-simulator procurement scandal. Djoko spoke to KPK investigators for eight hours.

♦ 8:20 p.m.
Dozens of officers from the Bengkulu and the Jakarta Police, some in plainclothes, arrive at KPK headquarters in Kuningan, South Jakarta, intent on arresting a Comr. Novel Baswedan, a police officer assigned to the KPK who is working on Djoko’s case.

♦ 8:50 p.m.
After learning about the officers’ intentions, KPK officials send word to activists and journalists.

♦ 9 p.m
Eight police officers force their way into KPK headquarters to arrest Novel, who they claim illegally killed and wounded robbers during an incident when he was detective chief for the Bengkulu Police in 2004.

♦ 9:30 p.m.
Hundreds of anti-corruption and human rights activists arrive at KPK headquarters to prevent Novel’s arrest. Government officials, including Deputy Law and Human Rights Minister Denny Indrayana, and academics such as Paramadina University Rector Anies Baswedan arrive minutes later.

♦ 11:50 p.m.
Bengkulu Police officers withdraw from KPK headquarters. Activists continue their vigil. (The Jakarta Post)

• Saturday
♦ 1:30 a.m.
KPK deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto holds a press conference at the KPK building on the incident. More gather outside the commission, including university students. The National Police simultaneously holds its own press conference.

♦ 3 a.m.
Students block the street in front of the KPK to raise public attention.