[Political pressure is mounting for the resignation of Indonesian Attorney-General Muhammad Abdurrahman. Following allegations that he has underdisclosed his personal wealth he has become a target for anti-corruption campaigners and political rivals of the President. The Indonesian media have seized on the details of his million dollar lifestyle making it difficult for the president to save him.]

Transcript:

Fitzgerald: President Megawati only appointed Mr Abdurrahman as Attorney General last year, but she's already under strong pressure to get rid of him to prove she's serious about cleaning up corruption. She summonsed him twice to her office this week but the Attorney General says he gained his wealth honestly and should be regarded as innocent until proven guilty.

The chairperson of the opposition National Awakening Party, A.S. Hikam, agrees with that view. He says Members of Parliament are using the Attorney General's case to prove they're doing something about corruption because he's an easy political target.

He points out that the more influential Akbar Tanjung for example, the Speaker of the Parliament, is still sitting in his job despite his corruption conviction.

Hikam: Why only Abdurrahman is under pressure so highly, I think one of the explanations is because contrary to the case of Akbar Tanjung and others, Abdurrahman has no political clout.

Fitzgerald: Mr Abdurrahman could indeed be an easy target and his removal may shield others within the notoriously corrupt Attorney General's department from further scrutiny.

Opposition political leader Amin Rais has described cleaning up the Attorney General's department as the number one priority in the fight against corruption. He says because of its role in deciding who's prosecuted, the department is a central cog in corruption operations.

Rais: Because in that office there are many, many people who collaborated with corrupt officials and corrupt underlings, and people who have plundered the richness of this country, people who have stolen a lot of people's money cannot be brought to justice simply because the Attorney General's office is colluding with them.

Fitzgerald: Because the Attorney General has already been tried and found guilty by the local media, President Megawati does stand to gain valuable political points if she removes him. His removal could draw attention away from allegations that her own husband, Member of Parliament Taufik Kiemas is involved in corrupt activities. Sacking the Attorney General could protect the President from criticism like this from political rival Amin Rais.

Rais: Megawati's performance in eradicating corruption, collusion and nepotism is not that successful, even some observers say that the corruption is even more prevalent in the era of Mrs Megawati Sukarnoputri. So to some extent people are rather frustrated seeing that the agenda of combating or eradicating corruption so far is so bad. There is the slightest hope right now that if she can switch gear, to really concentrate on eradicating corruption maybe there is still a chance you know, I mean it is not too late yet.