KPK Denies Firli Ever Met Novel Baswedan After Held Edhy Prabowo's OTT Case

Novel Baswedan/Photo: VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) denied that KPK chairman Firli Bahuri had met former KPK investigator Novel Baswedan after the arrest operation (OTT) case that ensnared former Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo.

This rebuttal was conveyed after Novel Baswedan admitted that he had been met by Firli after conducting the OTT on November 25, 2020. During the meeting, Firli was said to have asked him not to be too aggressive.

"KPK confirms that the information is not true," said Acting Spokesperson for the KPK for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, in a written statement to reporters quoted on Monday, July 4.

Ali said Firli on November 25, 2020, was carrying out a visit to the Regional Investment and Integrated Licensing Agency (BPMDPT) of North Kalimantan Province. So, it is impossible for him to meet Novel Baswedan.

Firli, continued Ali, was met by Acting Head of North Kalimantan Province DPMPTSP Faisal Syabaruddin. There, he monitors public services related to licensing and non-licensing.

Thus, it is impossible for Firli to be in two different places at the same time. Ali even said that the public could confirm the truth of Firli's working visit to the DPMPTSP of North Kalimantan Province.

"KPK hopes that these untrue statements will not be repeated," said Ali.

Ali reminded the public to be careful and filter the information circulating. Moreover, accusations like this can lead to things that are contrary to the work of eradicating corruption that is being carried out by the KPK.

"We ask the public to be more careful, vigilant, and filter various information circulating without confirmation according to the actual facts," he said.

"Moreover, this information can harm certain parties," Ali continued.

Meanwhile, Novel Baswedan confirmed his confession about having met Firli Bahuri. He even conveyed this in a trial at the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) on Thursday, June 30.

"Yes, that's true. I explained that when I gave testimony as a witness at the Jakarta Administrative Court trial on Thursday, June 30 yesterday," he told reporters.

The former KPK investigator said Firli met him in the toilet of the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta. At that time, Novel was the chairman of the KPK Task Force (Satgas) who was in charge of the alleged bribery in handling the export license for fried shrimp or lobster seeds that ensnared Edhy Prabowo.

To Novel, Firli asked not to be too offensive in an effort to investigate the alleged bribery that started from the OTT. Meanwhile, Edhy was arrested by the KPK after returning from his visit to the United States.