Ezra Sihite – Lawyer Abraham Samad was selected by lawmakers on Friday to chair the powerful Corruption Eradication Commission for the next four years.

"Busyro Muqoddas, who previously the chairman, will continue serving as deputy chairman," said Benny K. Harman, the chairman of the House of Representatives Commission III, which was in charge of the selection.

During his interview earlier this week, Samad said his strategy to combat corruption included a better witness protection program, synergy with other law enforcement agencies and focus on corruption prevention.

He also told the lawmakers that the KPK had too much authority, particularly in conducting wiretapping. He also criticized current KPK chairman Busyro Muqoddas for speaking too much in public.

Born in Makassar, South Sulawesi, 45 years ago, Samad holds a doctorate degree on law from Hasanuddin University. He is known for founding the Anti Corruption Commitee in South Sulawesi.

The three other new deputy commissioners are human rights activist Bambang Widjojanto, National Police Commission member Adnan Pandupraja and prosecutor Zulkarnaen.

Indonesian Corruption Watch said the new names were not surprising, but they were disappointed with the inclusion of Adnan and Zulkarnaen. "We have told the selection committee as well as to the House not to select them," Tama S. Langkun, the ICW legal researcher, told Jakarta Globe.

Tama said that though Adnan has no integrity problem, this former member of National Police commission has no excellent track record on corruption.

Two candidates widely expected to be included, Yunus Husein, the former chairman of the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), and Abdullah Hehamahua, an adviser to the KPK and the head of its ethics committee, did not make it.