Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – Legislators have described as unethical a minister's move to counter an ongoing investigation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

They said the commission should continue with its investigation into the graft case at the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, in which State Secretary Yusril Mahendra is implicated.

In a hearing with National Police chief Gen. Sutanto here Monday, Patrialis Akbar of the National Mandate Party criticized Yusril's filing of a legal complaint last week with the KPK against commission chairman Taufiequrrahman Ruki over the KPK's decision to directly appoint a third party to procure monitoring equipment in 2005.

Patrialis said Yusril's move was unethical because he had filed the complaint just a day after being interrogated by the KPK as a witness in a 2002 graft case at the justice ministry, where Yusril was minister from 1999 to 2004, when he was named state secretary in the current Cabinet.

"Yusril's move is retaliation and discourages the eradication of corruption in the country, although irregularities were found in the procurement of the KPK's interception equipment," Patrialis said.

The legislator said he had obtained information from sources at the State Palace that the KPK had met the formal procedures for purchasing equipment in that it had obtained permission from the President for the deal to be exempt from the normal regulation.

"The KPK directly appointed a third party to supply the costly equipment from Germany for technical reasons, because the procurement of such equipment must be done covertly to prevent other countries from intercepting it when it is in use," he said.

The law commission will stand behind the minister if he is able to reveal any irregularities in the procurement of the equipment, he added.

A 2003 Presidential decree on the procurement of goods and services requires public bidding in deals worth Rp 50 million (US$5,510) or more to ensure transparency and accountability.

Nursyahbani Katjasungkana of the National Awakening Party also criticized Yusril, saying he was temperamental and arrogant, and asked the President to allow the KPK to question the minister in the investigation into the graft case in the procurement of finger-print equipment at the justice ministry.

"Yusril's actions should not be used as an excuse for legal action against him in the graft case. The KPK should declare him a suspect and bring him to justice if the commission has adequate evidence to do so," she said.

Deputy speaker at the House of Representatives Muhaimin Iskandar called on the President to ask the KPK to be objective and professional in its handling of the graft case at the ministry, even though it involved one of his Cabinet members.

Meanwhile, around 100 activist members of the Alliance of Law-Literate Society staged a protest outside the KPK's headquarters, demanding the commission investigate the case at the justice ministry, which cost the state Rp 6 billion.

The protesters also condemned Yusril's behavior, calling it "arrogant" and saying it was an attempt to intimidate the KPK and prevent it from investigating the corruption case.