Jakarta – "Corruption is a crime against humanity." It may be that these words uttered by outgoing Judicial Commission leader Busyro Muqoddas during Wednesday's grilling by lawmakers proved to be the clincher for the job of anti-corruption czar.

But it remains to be seen how literally the former vice dean of the Islamic University of Indonesia plans to implement that sentiment by pushing efforts to legally turn graft into a human rights violation, which would allow for tougher punishments.

He also told lawmakers that the Attorney General's Office needed to take a more central role in going after those involved in corruption, including in the confiscation of assets.

A law graduate from the Indonesian Islamic University and holder of a master's degree from Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University, Busyro has long been favored by lawmakers. House Commission III lawmaker Edi Ramli Sitanggang said that Busyro "did not know fear" and would effectively lead the battle to eradicate corruption.

Born in Yogyakarta on July 17, 1952, Busyro has been a staunch critic of the Supreme Court, and is known for his spats with then Chief Justice Bagir Manan for the court's failure to take stern measures against rogue judges.

When screened for the job on the Corruption Education Commission (KPK), Busyro was asked why the Judicial Commission had managed to sanction just 11 judges when hundreds of reports against judges were filed each year.

The outgoing chairman of the judiciary watchdog replied: "It's because of resistance from the Supreme Court to get those judges prosecuted. This would not happen if I were to lead the KPK."