JAKARTA: An anti-corruption investigator blinded by an acid attack is urging graft fighters to “stay brave” as he returns to Indonesia after months of medical treatment.
Activists dressed in white and a phalanx of officials greeted Novel Baswedan as he arrived Thursday at the headquarters of the Corruption Eradication Commission in the capital, Jakarta.
Baswedan was leading a probe into an epic graft scandal that has implicated prominent politicians when he was attacked last April as he left dawn prayers. No one has been arrested and Baswedan has criticized police handling of the investigation.
“Whatever happens, God will show the path of truth, even though many people are trying to cover it,” he said in a video posted online.
“I call on my friends, activists, law enforcers and people in charge of eradicating corruption, let’s stay focused, stay brave. Don’t be afraid, don’t hesitate, stay strong.”
Baswedan said his right eye is now “quite stable” but he cannot see from his left eye. He expects to travel frequently to Singapore for further medical treatment in preparation for another major operation.
Anti-corruption investigators allege that about 80 people, mostly officials and legislators, and several companies used the introduction of a $440 million electronic identity card system in 2011 and 2012 to steal more than a third of the funds.
Senior Golkar party politician and former speaker of parliament Setya Novanto is currently on trial for his alleged role in the theft of public money. He denies any wrongdoing.
Corruption is endemic in Indonesia and the anti-graft commission, one of the few effective institutions in the country of more than 250 million people, is frequently under legislative attack by lawmakers who want to reduce its powers.
Laode Syarif, a commissioner at the anti-graft agency, told the crowd that gathered to welcome Baswedan that the agency should not step back from its mission because of the attack.
“We will keep fighting,” he said.
Acid blinded investigator tells Indonesia graft fighters to ‘stay brave’
Acid blinded investigator tells Indonesia graft fighters to ‘stay brave’
Acwa appoints Samir Serhan as CEO in planned succession
RIYADH: Saudi utility developer Acwa appointed Samir J. Serhan as CEO effective March 1, replacing Marco Arcelli in a planned leadership transition as the company accelerates global expansion in renewable energy, desalination and green hydrogen.
The Tadawul-listed company said the appointment forms part of a structured succession plan approved by its board, taking into account the scheduled expiration of Arcelli’s contract in April 2027. Arcelli, who has led Acwa since March 2023, will remain adviser to the chairman to support an orderly transition, according to a regulatory disclosure to Tadawul.
The leadership change comes as Acwa — one of the world’s largest private desalination companies and a major investor in energy transition projects — continues to scale its international portfolio amid rising demand for clean power and water infrastructure.
Mohammad Abunayyan, founder and chairman of the board of directors of Acwa, said: “Acwa stands today as a Saudi national champion and a global leader in renewable energy, water desalination, and green hydrogen, and our position continues to strengthen.”
He added: “This structured leadership transition reflects the strength of our governance and the maturity of our business platform. Our strategic direction remains clear and unchanged. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Samir Serhan to his new role as CEO of Acwa.”
Serhan joined Acwa last year as president of Saudi Arabia and Middle East, where he was responsible for seven key markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan and Iraq.
“I’m honored to lead Acwa at a pivotal moment as the company accelerates profitable global growth in renewable energy, water desalination, and green hydrogen solutions — including advancing green hydrogen to decarbonize heavy industries — to deliver scalable, sustainable impact worldwide,” said Serhan.
Previously, Serhan served as chief operating officer of the US-based company Air Products, where he had global responsibility for operational business and project execution with profit and loss accountability across the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India. He also led technology, global engineering, manufacturing and equipment functions at Air Products.
Earlier in his career, he was president, Hydrogen for Praxair. For 14 years prior, he worked at the Linde Group in leadership positions in the US and Germany, culminating in his role as managing director of Linde Engineering.
Acwa, recently rebranded from ACWA Power, is a key developer of power and water infrastructure projects under public-private partnership models and plays a central role in Saudi Arabia’s energy transition strategy.
