Nivell Rayda – Lawyers, including some who have made a name representing corruption suspects, accounted for almost a third of the applicants to head the powerful Corruption Eradication Commission as the deadline for registration closed on Monday.
More than 500 people applied for the post, but fewer than 300 were deemed eligible or submitted necessary paperwork. Lawyers made up about 30 percent of the applicants, and active or retired public officials accounted for 25 percent. Fewer than 10 percent of applicants were women.
There have been questions about the suitability of lawyers who have represented corruption suspects to head the commission, also known as the KPK.
Among the controversial applicants was Bonaran Situmeang, the lawyer of businessman Anggodo Widjojo, widely believed to have tried to undermine two KPK deputies – Bibit Samad Riyanto and Chandra M Hamzah.
The commission suspected that Bonaran was involved in an attempt to undermine the commission by trying to bribe officials from the National Police, the Attorney General's Office and several witnesses to fabricate incriminating testimonies against the two KPK deputies.
Controversial lawyer Eggy Sudjana also threw his hat in the ring on Monday. Eggy was once charged with promoting hatred against the government through some of his Islam-based rallies.
Eggy came before the selection committee with about 50 supporters wearing T-shirts saying "Eggy Sudjana should lead the KPK." His bid is also supported by renowned ex-convict Johnny Indo, who accompanied him through the whole registration process.
Other lawyers making a bid for the post are: Henry Yosodi-ningrat, one of former police chief detective Susno Duadji's lawyers; noted defense lawyer OC Kaligis, who has previously represented Tommy Suharto, the son of former dictator Suharto; Partahi Sihombing, the lawyer of businesswoman Nunun Nurbaeti Daradjatun, who has evaded court summonses over a Rp 24 billion ($2.6 million) bribery case; and Farhat Abbas, another lawyer who has more than a few times found himself in court defending graft suspects opposite KPK prosecutors.
However, Farhat, 34, and OC Kaligis, 68, both fall outside the age requirement, which stipulates that candidates for the KPK chairmanship must be between 40 and 65 years of age.
"The selection committee should not only scrutinize the administrative requirements of the candidates but also thoroughly check their backgrounds and track records. Only the best should lead the KPK," Transparency International Indonesia secretary general Teten Masduki said.
The selection committee holds the key to ensure that credible people would lead the commission. The committee will select two final candidates who will then be vetted by the House of Representatives, which Teten called "a political process."
"That's why it's crucial that the selection committee gets it right," he said.
Indonesia Corruption Watch deputy chairman Emerson Yuntho said: "The committee should reject lawyers who are renowned for defending corrupt officials. The committee should question these lawyers' motivation. How can a graft defender apply to be a graft fighter?"
KPK deputy chairman Muhammad Jasin said the current committee should not repeat the mistakes of the 2007 selection committee under the tenure of former Justice Minister Andi Mattalata.
"Several antigraft watchdogs had lodged formal complaints about certain candidates. However, these complaints were largely ignored, and the questionable candidates proceeded to the next phase of the selection process at the House of Representatives," he said.
The commission has been without a leader since March 21. Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean, a former state prosecutor, has temporarily headed the KPK after the departure of Antasari Azhar, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in a high-profile murder case.