Nivell Rayda – The Corruption Eradication Commission has performed better since its head, Antasari Azhar, was suspended over his alleged involvement in a murder case, the country's most prominent antigraft watchdog, the Indonesia Corruption Watch, said on Sunday.

Four weeks ago today, Antasari was named the suspected mastermind behind the murder of Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, former director of state-owned PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran, who was gunned down outside a golf course in Tangerang on March 14.

Since his arrest and subsequent suspension, the commission (KPK) has declared seven people as graft suspects in several cases, including former Health Minister Ahmad Sujudi and three active members of the House of Representatives Commission IV, overseeing forestry.

Emerson Yuntho, ICW head of legal and judiciary affairs, told the Jakarta Globe that the KPK was performing better without Antasari.

"Antasari's rise to power was controversial," Emerson said. "His track record is questionable, but with the support of a major political party, he secured the most votes during an election process at the House Commission III [overseeing legal and judiciary affairs]."

Under Antasari, he said, the KPK was involved in a lot of political bargaining in cases involving former and current lawmakers, ministers and businessmen close to politicians.

For instance, the ICW pointed out that two lawmakers jailed in connection with the controversial amendment of the Bank Indonesia Law case had told the Anti-Corruption Court that 50 other members of the House financial commission at the time received bribes of between Rp 250 million ($24,250) and Rp 1 billion each, including current State Minister for National Development Planning Paskah Suzetta and Forestry Minister MS Kaban. However, the KPK has not looked into these allegations.

Also, in the alleged corruption in the appointment of Miranda Goeltom as the central bank's senior deputy governor, Emerson said the KPK has so far failed to file charges against anyone, despite the presence of what critics have called abundant evidence. Dozens of lawmakers allegedly received illegal contributions to approve Goeltom's appointment.