Camelia Pasandaran – Corrupt former taxman Gayus Tambunan on Friday backtracked on comments in which he alleged that companies controlled by Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie had bribed him in order to avoid paying taxes.

Gayus' lawyer Hotma Sitompul said his client now denied taking bribes from the companies, Kaltim Prima Coal, Arutmin and flagship Bumi Resources.

National Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo told the House of Representatives last month that they were committed to probing 151 companies implicated by Gayus in graft.

Hotma, however, said that the 151 companies had been assigned to Gayus but that "only 44 were handled by Gayus". "None of them were Bakrie's companies."

Hotma said Gayus's previous statement implicating the companies in corruption had been made after pressure from Denny Indrayana, a member of the Judicial Mafia Eradication Task Force.

Speaking at the Corruption Eradication Commission on Tuesday, Gayus said he was committed to revealing the companies he dealt with. "We're committed to eradicating corruption and the legal and tax mafias," Hotma reiterated. "We want the KPK to handle Gayus case."

After visiting the KPK, Gayus will also visit the witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK). "Gayus is now a witness in this case that reveal information," Hotma said. "We want to ask protection for Gayus as he is willing to reveal all the case."