Dessy Sagita – Indonesians have been urged to report candidates competing for the top post of the country's anti-graft body that have been involved in any scandal or crime.

"After the eligible candidates are verified, the public has 30 days to openly criticize the candidates," said Achmad Ubbe, the secretary of the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) selection committee, on Friday.

"If we fail to find a suitable leader, it's not only the KPK's responsibility, it's on all of us – because we have been given a month to challenge the candidates."

The committee will select 10 people and hand their names to the House of Representatives, which will then appoint a chairman for the KPK's leadership board and four deputies.

The registration period for candidates opened on May 30 and will close on June 20 at 4 p.m.

Achmad said that 93 people had already registered their names to compete in the race, with the list dominated by private sector candidates.

Imam Prasodjo, another member of the selection committee, said that anyone who wanted to file a report about the candidates must provide strong indication that the candidate in question did not deserve the position. "At least provide us with some documentation so that we can follow it up. Don't file the report based on hearsay," he said.

Imam said the public should watch the candidates closely to ensure that they have all the necessary qualities needed to perform the difficult job.

"The candidate must possess leadership qualities because we are looking for a leader who can make a decision, not a manager," he said, adding that the candidate should also have integrity, a good reputation and independence.

"We want to get an objective KPK leader who is free from conflict of interests," he said.

Imam said lawyers who had blatantly defended those convicted of corruption not be considered as a prime candidate.

"There's a difference between a lawyer who wants to make sure his client receives all the legal rights he is entitled to, with a lawyer who will do anything to help corrupt officials get away," he said.

Imam said the previous selection committee received a lot of complaints and objections after the names of the eligible candidates were announced last year.

"The committee received clipping of news reports, court document, and other evidence that some candidates were not the clean leader we are waiting for," he said.

Imam said the public may report social scandals involving the candidates, including infidelity. However, he said, a candidate who has been reported would not be automatically dropped from the race.

"We will have a plenary that will decide whether or not the candidate should stay in the selection, but things like infidelity should be discussed because we don't want to have a candidate that could easily be a target of blackmail," he said.