REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and Indonesian National Police were in tension as Police tried forcibly to arrest a KPK investigator, Novel Baswedan, on late Friday. But the police left the KPK office empty handed.

Baswedan was allegedly committed a crime back in 2004. He was accused of shooting a man to death while Novel was still stationed in Bengkulu.

"In February 2004, Bengkulu Police Department arrested six thieves of swiflet nest. The stealers were taken to police office and interrogated in the beach. Six of them were shot by Novel Baswedan. One of them was dead," senior official at Bengkulu Police Department, Dedy Irianto, said in Police Headquarter in Jakarta on early Saturday.

However, the Deputy Chairman of KPK, Bambang Widjojanto, said the case was closed through tribunal of police ethics in 2004. Widjojanto continued that KPK committed to provide legal protection on Baswedan.

The attempt of arresting Baswedan had drawn huge attentions from the KPK supporters. Some important figures gathered and showed their backing to the commission.

While students also gathered in front of the KPK building to demonstrate their support. They were finally dismissed on Saturday morning.

Meanwhile the Coordinating Minister of Politics, Laws, and Security, Djoko Suyanto, said such problem between KPK and the police could have been averted. The problem between KPK and Police could be averted. He said that he was ready to be mediator.

"I believe they (KPK and police -Ed) will meet soon," he said. Police, KPK, and attorney general were law enforcement institutions, he continued. Hence, Suyanto added, such institutions must hand in hand in law enforcement efforts.

Recently KPK and police are reportedly “clash” of interest on investigating corruption on driving liscence simulator. At least a high level police officer is allegedly involved in the case investigated by the KPK.   

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