Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Novel\nBaswedan recounted the acid attack incident against him on 11 April\n2017. This matter has resurfaced amid public attention on a similar\nattack targeting activist Andrie Yunus in recent times.<\/p>\n
Novel relived the moments of the attack that occurred after he\nperformed dawn prayers near his home. He stated that the incident did\nnot happen spontaneously but was preceded by observation and stalking by\nthe perpetrators.<\/p>\n
Before the incident, Novel said he had experienced several threats,\nincluding an attempted collision while driving to the office. \u201cThe\nattack was not sudden. There was observation, there was stalking\nbeforehand,\u201d said Novel in a podcast on Dian Andryanto\u2019s YouTube, quoted\non Saturday, 11 April 2026.<\/p>\n
Novel assessed the series of events as showing a pattern of planned\nattacks. He linked it to his activities as a KPK investigator handling\nseveral major cases. According to him, the attack could not be separated\nfrom the context of the corruption eradication efforts he was carrying\nout at the time.<\/p>\n
During the incident, two unidentified individuals approached him from\nbehind as he walked slowly after dawn prayers. One of the perpetrators\nthen splashed the liquid towards his face from close range before\nfleeing on a motorbike.<\/p>\n
In a condition where he could not see due to his eyes, Novel admitted\nhe did not chase the perpetrators even though he had the opportunity. He\nchose to immediately seek a water source to neutralise the chemical\nliquid that hit his face.<\/p>\n
He then shouted for help from nearby residents before being directed\nto the ablution area in the nearest mosque to rinse his face with clean\nwater. \u201cI knew I needed immediate help. I immediately looked for water\nto rinse,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
After that, he was quickly taken to Mitra Keluarga Kelapa Gading\nHospital before being referred to Jakarta Eye Center and undergoing\nfurther treatment in Singapore. Novel said that the first action of\nrinsing with clean water was the most crucial step to reduce the damage\nfrom the corrosive liquid.<\/p>\n
He also touched on the response to handling the case, which he\nbelieved did not proceed optimally. The discourse on forming a\nfact-finding team at that time, he said, did not yield adequate\nrevelations, so the legal process took a long time.<\/p>\n
Novel also highlighted the emergence of various narratives that\ncornered the victim, including allegations that the incident was staged.\nHe described this phenomenon as part of opinion manipulation efforts\nthat often arise in major cases involving certain interests.<\/p>\n
Amid the resurfacing of a similar case affecting Andrie Yunus, Novel\nconsidered it important to thoroughly uncover the intellectual authors\nbehind attacks on activists and law enforcement officials. He emphasised\nthe need for independent mechanisms to ensure the legal process runs\ntransparently.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is no will, it will be difficult to uncover. But if there\nis will, nothing is impossible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The acid attack case against Novel in 2017 itself has resulted in\nverdicts against two field perpetrators with light sentences. However,\nto this day, the public still questions who the intellectual authors\nbehind the attack are, which has become a topic of discussion again with\nthe emergence of similar cases against anti-corruption activists.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/flashback-to-the-acid-attack-on-novel-baswedan-nine-years-ago-1775890246", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }