"Novel Baswedan is viewed as the apt person to receive this award since on April 11, 2017, he was attacked with acid while returning home from the Fajr (Dawn) prayer, and the intellectual actor, who masterminded the attack on Baswedan, yet remains a mystery until now," acting KPK spokesman Ali Fikri noted in a statement here on Tuesday.
Baswedan had received an invitation to the award presentation ceremony of the PIACCF, scheduled in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on February 11, 2020. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will be the host of the event.
The attack that caused permanent injury to Baswedan's eyes, has raised concerns among members of the international community, as was apparent from the several discussions on the case in various fora.
Amnesty International presented a report on the attack at the US Congress on July 25, 2019. Amnesty International's Asia Pacific Advocacy Manager, Francisco Bencosme, delivered the presentation during a forum on "Human Rights in Southeast Asia: A Regional Outlook" held at the Subcommittee of Asia, the Pacific, and the Non-proliferation Committee on Foreign Relations of the US House of Representatives.
On December 16, 2019, Baswedan had attended a UN Session in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, as a speaker during a special session on the protection of anti-corruption institutions and their employees. The session was part of a conference attended by several countries that signed the UN anti-corruption convention, or COSP-UNCAC.
"The Corruption Eradication Commission is grateful for the attention of various parties that support corruption eradication efforts. The KPK also continues to remain committed to protecting its employees in conducting their duties," Fikri stated.
PIACCF is formed to lend support to officials of anti-corruption agencies targeted or exposed to threats to their lives, safety, and their dignity on account of their commitment to investigation and enforcement action against corruption.
The Foundation was earlier named in honor of Prime Minister Mahathir and is now is known as PIACCF. Related news: Police making optimal efforts to investigate Novel Baswedan case: Aziz
Related news: Let police and court uncover Novel Baswedan case: Mahfud MD
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Fathur R, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
