Nivell Rayda & Antara – In what could be a major blow to the respected Corruption Eradication Commission, Constitutional Court chief Mahfud MD has reportedly forwarded allegations to the judiciary mafia task force that the antigraft agency extorted a witness out of Rp 20 billion ($2.2 million).

Deny Indrayana, secretary of the task force, said Mahfud had contacted his office about the allegations and would present all the relevant documents to support his claims. The chief justice, he said, based the claims on a formal complaint from a witness.

"The report must be dealt with carefully. We don't want to tarnish the reputation of the KPK," said Denny, as quoted by the state Antara news agency, referring to the antigraft commission. "Many people have impersonated KPK officials in the past and we don't rule out that possibility."

Denny said the task force would closely examine Mahfud's report before taking any concrete action. The task force is planning to meet with leaders of the Constitutional Court about the matter, but Denny said the team would immediately ask Mahfud to submit all evidence.

KPK spokesman Johan Budi said the antigraft agency was ready to launch its own investigation into the allegations. "We have an internal system that allows anyone to complain about being extorted by a KPK official. The report can be made anonymously," he said. "But if the perpetrator is someone impersonating a KPK official, then the case would be forwarded to the police."

Since the KPK was established in late 2003, more than a hundred people have been arrested for claiming to be officials of the agency in order to extort money.

On Monday, the task force visited the offices of the Judicial Commission and the Supreme Court to hold meetings with the leadership of the institutions to discuss its broader mission.

Judicial Commission Chairman Busyro Muqqodas welcomed the team and offered full access to commission information to aid it in its drive to eliminate the judicial corruption, which has long tainted the legal system. "We expect [the task force] to pursue our reports," he said during the meeting.

The commission also urged the task force to push the House of Representatives to debate a bill designed to strengthen the commission's authority.

Currently, the Judicial Commission is only authorized to investigate cases against judges and other members of the court but is not able to charge or try them. The controversial Supreme Court Law states the commission can only file investigation reports with that court, which is perceived to be one of the nation's most graft-ridden bodies.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Harifin Tumpa claimed the court, which oversees the district and high courts, would not hesitate to seek the task force's assistance should it encounter problems with the judicial mafia.

He said, however, that the Supreme Court had done its part in the crackdown by taking "harsh measures" against court officials involved in corruption or other crimes.

In 2009 alone, some 200 judges, court clerks and court officers have been sanctioned, he said, adding that some judges were banned from hearing cases while others were transferred.

Task force chairman Kuntoro Mangkusubroto welcomed the Supreme Court's commitment to fight corruption in the justice system, saying that he was "happy" with the progress so far.

Less than two weeks ago, the Judicial Commission criticized the Supreme Court for failing to act on its recommendations to sanction 28 judges who had been questioned by the commission over alleged irregularities in their verdicts.