The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is an Indonesian anti-corruption law enforcement agency. Historically, there has been a lot of tension and conflicts between the KPK and Indonesia’s National Police.
The following article reports one of the latest confrontations between the two agencies. At the center of the conflict is KPK investigator Commissioner Novel Baswedan and police General Djoko Susilo. Novel had recently launched a corruption investigation into the Rp 200 billion (US$21.2 million) procurement program for traffic police driving simulators, naming Djoko as the prime suspect, making him the first active-duty police general to be named a suspect in a corruption case.
From Vivanews, TribunNews, Kompas, Tempo and Antara:
KPK Investigator Commissioner Novel To Be Forcefully Arrested
Dozens of National Police officers and Provosts [Military Police] surrounded the KPK office. They allegedly wanted to arrest several KPK investigators. One of them is named Novel Baswedan.
“We will detain 4 KPK investigators and amongst them is a man named Novel,” Tribunnews.com sources said on Thursday.
According to Tribunnews’ observations, dozens of undercover police officers and provosts wearing their uniforms were gathered at the KPK building. The sides and front of the KPK building were surrounded with National Police officers.
Sources told Tribunnews.com that those Provosts and undercover police officers came with a warrant to arrest Novel with various charges for when he was serving in Bengkulu Police Force.
Novel is one of the investigators handling the driving simulator corruption case with the alleged suspect General Djoko Susilo.
Meanwhile, a KPK spokesman, Johan Budi, said that there has been no formal confirmation given by the National Police Headquarter regarding the forceful arrests of its KPK investigators.
“We have not received any valid information about the arrests. Therefore, we will try to coordinate first [with the Indonesian Police headquarter],“ commented Johan.
KPK Deputy Chairman, Bambang Widjojanto, confirmed the issue and stated that this was an illegal arrest of his personnel. “There was no confirmation,” he said.
Novel Baswedan, the investigator with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and his family.
Comments from Kaskus:
Mcveigh:
There you go.. !
Someone is upset, as if there’s gonna be a war.
Don’t tell me that the Provosts brought their full set of gear with them
kaskusnyaR:
[The situation between] Police versus KPK is getting more intense..
Meanwhile, SBY [The Indonesian President] is busy writing gloomy songs….
hong_phoenix:
What is our president doing these days?
Didn’t he promise in his speeches that he would protect them [KPK] whenever they are in trouble?
I think he’s already forgotten his past promises…
antikekerasan:
Stupid police! Dog shit!
SBY, where are you now?
Too scared, eh?
SAY SOMETHING, WILL YOU?
YOU AREN’T MUTE, RIGHT?
YOUR MEN HAVE JUST CREATED A HUGE MESS!
satlone:
Haha… [The Indonesian Police] is now starting to use more violence, eh? =)
ndriw:
This is a serious issue, boss, it could jeopardize national stability… =(
blackdevilsome:
The Indonesian Police is becoming more and more sinful!
sembilan3kali:
This seems like the work of the mafia [organized crime]. So horrifying, boss!
mekyuskwirt:
Call in the armored troops too.
All out war!
kacaribu:
Where the hell is Mr Beye [The Indonesian President]?
The police is now trying to play dirty, eh? =)
extrazonk:
SO IRONIC.
This nation is now ruled by thieves! =(
nokiakali:
This is why you don’t mess around with the KPK.
The more you mess around with them,
then the more trouble you’ll get.
bujursangkar:
KPK should request TNI’s [National Military Forces] assistance so there will be grenades thrown at the Police.
peoplezation_98:
Support the KPK, the police have now revealed their true selves! #Support KPK
BTW, boss..Let’s tweet #Support KPK to show our support!
KPK supporters and anti-corruption activists have staged protests and rallies in response:
CiCak-Activists (Love-Indonesia-Love-KPK-Activists) at Bundaran-HI in Jakarta.
KPK supporters hang a sign with “MONEY” written on it on a statue of a police officer.
