Jakarta – Indonesia's General Elections Commission (KPU), plagued by allegations of corruption, has elected a presidium to replace its chairman, retired General Rudini, who resigned recently for health reasons.

The commission's representatives elected Mr Agus Miftach of the Indonesian People's Party, Mr Djuhad Mahja of the United Development Party and Mr Benny Akbar Fatah of the National Labour Party to the presidium.

They did so in the absence of five government-appointed representatives, who labelled the election illegal. But Mr Agus, who along with Mr Akbar Fatah orchestrated the election, defended its validity, saying it had been held in response to Gen Rudini's request to retire. He said it was for the government to decide if it would recognise the presidium.

Allegations of corruption have been made against the commission after the government's Supreme Audit Agency said it foiled a bid to embezzle 117 billion rupiah (S$28 million) in the commission during last year's general election. The Indonesian Parliament and government have agreed to revise the law on general elections in an obvious move to dissolve the commission and set up an independent one.

Legislator Sri Bintang Pamungkas, representing the Indonesian Democracy Union Party, threw his weight behind Mr Agus, saying the election of the presidium members was held as Gen Rudini was unable to carry out his duties effectively due to his declining health.

But the commission's government-appointed deputy chairman, lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution, called the election illegal. "The other KPU members tried to take over the leadership in the commission," he said on Thursday. He also pointed out that Gen Rudini could not leave the position until the President had approved his resignation request.

But his view was not shared by People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, who said Gen Rudini had every right to quit. However, Dr Amien said that in doing so, the general could not escape from the graft charges. "Rudini cannot shake off his responsibility over the allegation of corruption."