KPK to Dismiss 56 Employees Including Top Investigator Novel Baswedan

Fana Suparman
September 16, 2021 | 11:05 am
SHARE
Workers clean signage in front of the Corruption Eradication Commission building in South Jakarta. (Antara Photo)
Workers clean signage in front of the Corruption Eradication Commission building in South Jakarta. (Antara Photo)

Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission, or KPK, is set to honorably dismiss 56 employees, some of whom are senior and renowned investigators such as Novel Baswedan.

Those employees will be dismissed en masse in the end of this month for failing to pass the nationalism test, KPK Commissioner Alexander Marwata said on Wednesday.

“Six of them have been given a chance to take remedial education and training on nation-building and national identity but they refused to attend. Accordingly they cannot be sworn in as civil servants and will be honorably dismissed on September 30,” he said.

As for the remaining 50, Alexander said they simply failed the test in March and April and didn’t meet requirements to become civil servants.

Advertisement

Alexander said the commission thanks outgoing employees for their “dedication and good deeds” during their time with KPK and wishes them good luck.

Novel -- who has led investigations into many high-profile corruption cases involving ministers and high-ranking police officers -- has confirmed since the beginning that he failed the so-called nationalism test.

On Tuesday, Novel claimed that several colleagues had been offered two letters to sign: one on their resignation and the other on job application for undisclosed state-owned companies. 

“For us, it’s truly an insult,” Novel said, adding that their anti-corruption works went beyond financial motive.

Novel became a victim of acid attack that damaged his eyes in April 2017. More than two years later, two active policemen handed themselves in to the police after confessing to their roles in the attack.

KPK to Dismiss 56 Employees Including Top Investigator Novel Baswedan
Novel Baswedan arrives at Jakarta Police office, January 6, 2020, to testify against two policemen accused of carrying out the 2017 acid attck on him. (Antara Photo)

The move to transition KPK employees’ status into civil servants was mandated by the law passed in 2019. However, Novel and several other senior investigators including employee union chairman Yudi Purnomo argued that the law says nothing about nationalism test.

They alleged that the test became a tool to filter out investigators critical of the government and of the current KPK leadership.

In June, KPK went ahead with the plan by installing more than 1,200 employees as civil servants after they passed the test.

They swore the oath to uphold and protect state ideology Pancasila and the constitution and pledged allegiance to the government.

The ceremony was held in coincidence to the anniversary of Pancasila which now becomes a national holiday.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News 60 minutes ago

KPK Considers Forced Summons for Singaporean Jet Tycoon in Papua Graft Probe

KPK may forcibly summon Singaporean tycoon Gibrael Isaak after he skipped questioning in a Rp 1.2t Papua graft case linked to a private jet.
News Jun 12, 2025 | 4:48 pm

KPK Links Rp 1.2 Trillion Papua Graft to Private Jet, Airline Boss Fails to Show Up

KPK links Rp 1.2t Papua graft to private jet purchase, but RDG Airlines boss Gibbrael Isaak skips summons. Agency urges him to cooperate.
News Jun 11, 2025 | 10:08 am

KPK Hosts Online Auction Featuring Luxury Bags, Cars, and Real Estate

The KPK will auction 81 seized assets online, including iPhones, luxury bags, cars, and property, starting June 11 at 10 a.m.
News Jun 9, 2025 | 4:58 pm

KPK Expands Crackdown on Foreign Worker Extortion to Immigration Office

KPK expands its $3.3 million graft probe, eyeing immigration officials over alleged extortion in Indonesia’s foreign worker permit process.
News Jun 7, 2025 | 1:27 pm

‘Want It Fast? Pay Up’: KPK Exposes Extortion Methods Targeting Foreign Workers

KPK reveals how Labor Ministry officials extorted Rp 53.7b from foreign worker applicants by stalling permits unless bribes were paid.
News May 31, 2025 | 10:21 am

KPK: Bribery Case in Foreign Worker Permits Could Undermine Investment

KPK warns Rp 53b bribery in foreign worker permits could hurt investment, expose Indonesia to unqualified labor, and damage governance.
News May 27, 2025 | 10:17 am

KPK Investigates $3.3M Bribery Network in Foreign Worker Permit Case

KPK is probing a Rp53B extortion scheme at the Manpower Ministry tied to foreign worker permits, ongoing since 2019 with 8 suspects named.
News May 21, 2025 | 12:32 pm

“They Target Our Families”: Ex-KPK Official Details Terror Tactics Used by the Powerful

Yudi Purnomo warns of rising threats against KPK officers, urging protection as Prabowo acknowledges dangers in anti-graft fight.
News May 20, 2025 | 7:20 pm

Eight Named in Bribery Case Over Foreign Work Permits at Manpower Ministry

Under Indonesian law, foreign nationals working in the country are required to obtain work permits issued by the Manpower Ministry.
News May 10, 2025 | 11:25 am

KPK Investigator Says Ex-Chief Firli Foiled Arrest of Hasto and Fugitive Harun

KPK witness says ex-chairman Firli Bahuri leaked 2020 sting, derailing arrests of PDIP's Hasto Kristiyanto and fugitive Harun Masiku.

The Latest


News 60 minutes ago

KPK Considers Forced Summons for Singaporean Jet Tycoon in Papua Graft Probe

KPK may forcibly summon Singaporean tycoon Gibrael Isaak after he skipped questioning in a Rp 1.2t Papua graft case linked to a private jet.
Business 2 hours ago

Qatar’s Barzan Doubts ‘Big Market’ Indonesia Will Put Brake on Its Defense Investment

According to Barzan Holdings, Indonesia's defense investment will remain unaffected by economic hurdles.
Lifestyle 4 hours ago

NBA Finals 2025: Thunder Rally Past Pacers Behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s Fourth-Quarter Surge

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 15 in the fourth to lift Thunder past Pacers 111-104, tying the NBA Finals at 2-2 heading to Game 5.
News 4 hours ago

Iran Hits Israel With Missile Salvo Following Assault on Nuclear Sites

Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on its nuclear and military sites, wounding dozens.
Tech 17 hours ago

Indonesia Introduces AI and Coding to 59,000 Schools Nationwide

Indonesia rolls out AI and coding as elective subjects in 59,000 schools, aiming to prepare students for the digital future.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED