REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) senior investigator, Novel Baswedan has undergone further surgery on his left eye in Singapore on Monday (Feb 12). The surgery was to move the membrane on the edges to seal the un-growing middle part of his left eye.
"Alhamdulilah (Thank God) the surgery on Novel's left eye has completed at around 07:00 pm Singapore time and it was running smoothly," said KPK spokesperson Febri Diansyah on Tuesday (Feb 13).
Febri explained the latest surgery was also to take the skin of lower lip to cover the edge of Novel's eye. Previously, Novel has undergone surgery to add membrane or re-planting the gum part on his left eye, but it was not effective. His left eye membrane at that time grew slowly.
Novel was attacked by two unidentified persons who splashed acid onto his face and eyes in April 2017. The attack happened early morning, after he performed a morning prayer (subuh) in a mosque near his house in North Jakarta.
In an interview with Time, Novel claimed that a police general or a high-level police official was involved in the attack on him. As one of the KPK's top investigator, he has led investigations into several high-profile cases. Including the ongoing e-ID embezzlement case that has implicated several lawmakers and high-ranking government officials.
Novel's acid attack case still being investigated by Jakarta Metro Police. In December 2017, the sketches of the assaliants faces has been announced. Nevertheless, Police got no promising response so far.