President Joko Widodo has pledged state funding for the treatment of one of Indonesia’s anti-corruption heroes, Novel Baswedan, who was attacked with acid on April 11.
The Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) senior investigator is currently having his eyes, which were severely injured as a result of the attack, in Singapore. Since KPK staff health plan does not cover overseas medical treatments, KPK Chief Agus Rahardjo last week wrote a letter to President Jokowi requesting that the state cover Novel’s medical bills.
Presidential spokesman Johan Budi, who was once the spokesman for the KPK, confirmed today that the president has approved state funding for Novel.
“The president has decided to pay for Novel Baswedan’s treatment. The fund will be taken from the Presidential Budget,” Johan said, as quoted by CNN Indonesia today.
Novel’s attackers have not yet been caught. According to reports, Novel was ambushed by two men riding a motorcycle who splashed acid at his face as he was leaving a mosque in North Jakarta after dawn prayer.
Novel is scheduled for eye surgery next week. Earlier reports indicated he has retained only 30% of his vision following initial treatments.
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