Abdul Khalik, Jakarta – On any other day, members of the House of Representatives would be on the prowl for TV and print journalists, in an attempt to publicize what they claimed to have done for their constituents back home.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has changed the celebrity style of many legislators and, for some, struck terror into them.

On Monday, 10 legislators from the House's Commission IV, which oversees forestry, slunk unnoticed into the anti-graft commission's office as they fulfilled summonses for questioning in connection with a bribery case in the conversion of a protected forest in Banyuasin, South Sumatra, to the Tanjung Api-api Port.

Most took the back door and removed the official pins they flaunt proudly on ordinary days, as they sought to conceal their identity from journalists.

Those who for the most part were silent during House sessions and thus overlooked by the press, had the temerity to deny they were legislators as they made their way through dozens of journalists thronging the KPK building after the questioning.

KPK investigators quizzed them as witnesses after it was revealed that the politicians were among the recipients of Rp 5 billion (US$506,945) allegedly paid in cash by businessman Chandra Antonio Tan to secure a contract to build the port.

Commission member Sarjan Taher and former member Al Amin Nur Nasution are currently on trial in the case, while fellow member Yusuf Emir Faisal is in police custody pending his trial.

Emerging from the interrogation room, the legislators fled to their waiting cars and remained tightlipped as journalists bombarded them with a flurry of questions and camera flashes. Robert Yopie Kardinal of the Golkar Party and Indria Oktavia Muaja of the Democratic Party were forced to sprint as reporters chased after them.

"No, no, nothing happened," Robert said repeatedly as his driver rushed him away.

Zainal Arifin Muchtar, executive director of Gadjah Mada University's Center for Anti-Corruption Studies (Pukat) in Yogyakarta, said the legislators had sent a signal they were guilty.

"Why else would they run away like that? Isn't being a witness a noble duty? I think that deep down, they already feel guilty, and only confirmed the accusation they took bribes," he said.

KPK spokesman Johan Budi said although some of the legislators handed over the money, criminal charges against them would stick if they failed to submit the money within 30 days of receiving it.

Suswono, who admitted to receiving the money twice, said he and three fellow Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) legislators had handed over the money to the KPK 10 days after taking it.

The KPK has arrested six legislators for bribery and questioned dozens more since the anti-graft tide turned on the House early this year.