Yudhoyono under pressure to clear corruption in Indonesia's judiciary
By Channel NewsAsia's Sujadi Siswo | Posted: 16 June 2008 1955 hrs

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JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is facing his biggest test in the fight against corruption with about one year left in office. It's now been revealed that Indonesia's attorney general's office is riddled with corruption.

The country's anti-corruption commission has produced evidence in court that implicated the deputy attorney general in the ongoing corruption case.

The case involves another state prosecutor, Urip Tri Gunawan, who was arrested red-handed while receiving a bribe amounting to US$660,000.

The payout was in exchange for stopping investigations into an alleged embezzlement of a bank liquidation fund by a tycoon.

So far, three top public prosecutors have been implicated in the case.

Emerson Yuntho, Indonesia's Corruption Watch, said: "We believe this is fatal and may lead to loss of public confidence in the attorney general's office. It is also an embarrassment to President Yudhoyono's government."

President Yudhoyono has instructed his attorney general, Hendarman Supandji to take swift action in weeding out the bad hats in the institution.

But observers said the attorney general must be replaced for any reform effort to succeed because he has failed to monitor his subordinates.

Emerson Yuntho continued: "The president must do two things. First, replace the attorney general (AG). And second, to form an independent team not involving the AG’s office. It should be under a presidential commission."

President Yudhoyono has yet to respond to the call to form a presidential commission.

For a long time, there's been suspicion that Indonesia's judicial system was rigged. But this is the first time there's evidence to prove top state prosecutors were involved in corruption.

Observers said President Yudhoyono must show greater resolve to clean up the attorney general's office and restore public confidence in the institution. -CNA/vm