The National Police Criminal Investigation Division has named former chief detective Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji as suspect in a defamation case, relying on videos of Susno's statements on television.

In recent days, Susno has repeatedly claimed that high-ranking police officers accepted bribes to drop a tax-evasion investigation.

A presidential task force aimed at rooting out case fixers in the judicial system responded poorly to the move.

"The police should have made the eradication of the judicial mafia their number one priority, rather than naming Susno as a suspect," task force spokesman Denny Indrayana told Metro TV.

Lawmaker Melani Leimena Suharli also struck a critical note. "It would be much better for the police to settle the conflict among themselves first," said the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Deputy Speaker.

"People should be aware of Susno's motivations. Look at his background. If he has a good background maybe he means well. Otherwise, he's only looking for attention," she added.

Susno was himself implicated in an alleged conspiracy to fabricate a criminal case against two leaders of Indonesia' Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) late last year. He has never been named a suspect in connection to those allegations.