Jakarta – The leader of a new Indonesian anti-corruption body was sworn in Monday, vowing never to bow to pressure and promising to act swiftly to halt graft.

"No powers or individuals will be able to intervene ... whoever they are," said former police officer Taufiqqurochman Ruki, who was sworn in to head the Corruption Eradication Commission in the presence of President Megawati Sukarnoputri. "We will not hesitate in taking actions against corruptors," he said.

The Berlin-based Transparency International lists Indonesia among the world's most corrupt nations. The International Monetary Fund had called for the establishment of the commission amid criticism that widespread graft is undermining Indonesia's investment climate.

Ruki, a former lawmaker from the military and police faction, also pledged that the commission will not abuse its authority.

The commission, whose establishment has been postponed several times since 1999, will have the authority to investigate and prosecute cases – previously the domain of the police and the prosecutors' office. But critics say its membership was chosen by legislators more on political than on other considerations.

Legislators also chose four vice-chairmen including Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, the former president of state tin mining company Timah and a former commissioner at the Jakarta Stock Exchange. The others are former officials from the Financial and Development Supervision Agency, the Attorney General's Office and the State Audit Agency.