President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday ordered an investigation into wiretapped telephone conversations in which his name was cited in an alleged effort to weaken the Corruption Eradication Commission and frame its top officials, a presidential spokesman said.
Transcripts of taped conversations have flooded the media this week, alleging a conspiracy to frame two deputy chairmen of the commission, also known as the KPK, for taking bribes.
"Citing the president's name is illegal. The president has asked for a full investigation into the misuse of his name. It is a serious matter," presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said.
Yudhoyono's name was cited in the transcript of a taped conversation between an unidentified woman and a man believed to be Anggodo Widjojo, younger brother of fugitive businessman Anggoro Widjojo, a key suspect said to have paid bribes to KPK officials to avoid prosecution.
The transcripts, including the one mentioning the president's name, were from alleged phone conversations also involving Anggodo, an AGO official, a lawyer and other unidentified figures discussing plans to set up KPK deputy chairmen Chandra M Hamzah and Bibit Samad Rianto by implicating them in taking bribes from Anggoro.
Denny Indrayana, presidential adviser for legal affairs, said the misuse of Yudhoyono's name should be investigated as it could affect his credibility.
In one of the transcripts, a participant said Yudhoyono was supporting moves against the KPK, which has seen both Chandra and Bibit suspended and charged with abuse of power by the National Police, as well as former KPK chief Antasari Azhar being removed after being charged with murder.
"A thorough investigation is needed to clarify the matter so the public knows that it is a lie and this case will be settled through a legal mechanism," Denny said. He added that all parties associated with the recordings would be questioned and the tapes' authenticity clarified.
Deputy Attorney General Abdul Hakim Ritonga, also named in one of the transcripts, said the National Police should drop the case against KPK leaders if they could not prove it. In an obvious attempt to clear his name, Ritonga told a news conference on Tuesday that allegations against Chandra and Bibit had originated with the National Police's chief of detectives, Comr. Gen Susno Duadji.
Ritonga insisted he had "never fabricated a case" against his "friends" Chandra and Bibit, and that all allegations against them were made by the National Police. "I was the victim." He added that he had yet to decide whether he would file a report with the police.
National Police director of corruption crimes Brig. Gen. Yovianus Mahar could not be reached for comment.
Also on Wednesday, Constitutional Court chief Mahfud MD called on Yudhoyono to step in to speed up the legal process and ensure the case was not politicized.