Indonesia president sidesteps action on corruption case, says AFP. This actually has been expected by many, including me as I wrote here. Except one that he would drop the Bibit-Chandra (anti-graft leaders) case. Even on this point, experts still interpret it in many different ways. In other words, Police or Jaksa (attorney general) might or might not drop the case. On other Tim 8 recommendation such as the sacking of Kapolri (police chief) and Kejagung (Attorney general) were ignored as mentioned in the news below. We have to remember, meanwhile, that the set-up of fact-finding team by President SBY was coming out of public mounting pressure, not from himself.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday sidestepped advice from his own fact-finding team to punish senior law enforcers over a huge corruption scandal that has gripped the nation.

The liberal ex-general has been under intense pressure to sack top police and prosecutors and drop their allegedly bogus criminal case against senior anti-graft investigators from the respected corruption watchdog.

In a nationally televised speech, Yudhoyono pledged reform to the justice system but insisted he could not interfere in the legal process, even though he admitted the public had lost trust in the judicial system.

Within minutes from now, President SBY will announce his decision on the controversial KPK (anti-graft body) vs Police known as Cicak vs Buaya (Lizard vs Crocodile).

Some foreign media take interests to this situation. This is what BBC has to say:
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is due to announce what action he will take on a high-level corruption scandal.

He has already warned Indonesian media it will be “controversial”.

The scandal has pitted the country’s anti-corruption agency against senior law enforcement officials.

An independent inquiry said the police case against two anti-corruption officials accused of extortion and abuse of power should be dropped.

The case caused public outrage when it emerged they could have been framed.

The two men – Bibit Samad Rianto and Chandra Hamzah – have been released, but the police and the attorney general’s office have so far refused to drop their case.

Public sympathy has been growing for the anti-corruption agency – known by its acronym KPK – with almost daily protests on the streets of Jakarta urging the president to act decisively.
Bloomberg meanwhile has a good title on this case, especially on President Sby position thus:
Indonesia’s Yudhoyono Hits ‘Tipping Point’ in Graft Case Row

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono tonight will say how he plans to end a dispute between police and the anti-corruption agency that has caused a public outcry and threatens to undermine his record on combating graft.

“We’re at a tipping point right now,” said James van Zorge, principal at Jakarta-based risk consultancy Van Zorge, Heffernan & Associates. If Yudhoyono “does the wrong thing, you’ll see a lot of criticism and you’ll see how this will impact the international opinion about the president and this country as a place to do business,” he said.

Legal certainty in Indonesia is “the number one” issue that will go under scrutiny, Van Zorge said.

Totally agree with what BBC says, we, Indonesians, fight corruption with people power. In fact, whatever we want our government to change or to do we have to do it with people power i.e. street protests. The bigger the better. We cannot expect any change coming from the heart and soul of government officials whose only concern is how to fill their pocket with illegal money as fast as possible before getting retired.
In Indonesia public protests, secret recordings and an alleged plot among senior law enforcement officials to undermine the anti-corruption agency have transfixed the country.

Ask any Indonesian about corruption and chances are they will tell you that at some point in their lives they have had to deal with it.

Whether it is paying a bribe to get out of a traffic fine or slipping some extra cash to an official at the immigration office, corruption, many here say, is unfortunately a way of life – it is in the culture.

It is a depressing fact, but a reality that Indonesians have become used to.

But now something has changed.

Fed up and frustrated with the levels of graft within the institutions that are charged with the responsibility of protecting them, Indonesians have taken to the streets in what is being called one of the grandest showings of people power since the days of the 1998 Reformasi movement.

Media Indonesia, one of Indonesia leading newspapers, highly appreciates and says ‘thank you’ to Mahkamah Konstitusi (Constitutional Court) or MK especially its chief, Mahfud MD, for the playing of a recording at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday 3/10/09.

Police has released the two KPK deputies, yet the ego of the ‘crocodile’ is big enough to confess the defeat saying “We have not succumbed to pressure.” Yes, you did! via JP
The National Police have released suspended Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputies Bibit Samad Rianto and Chandra M. Hamzah, citing it was in the public’s interest.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Nanan Soekarna told kompas.com his office had decided to release the two leaders after receiving letters from their lawyers.

“We have not succumbed to pressure .

Sept. 9, 2009
The KPK announces it is investigating Susno’s role in the Bank Century case.

Sept. 15
Police declare KPK deputies Chandra and Bibit suspects for abuse of power in imposing the travel ban on Anggoro.

Sept. 28
Chandra and Bibit file a report against Susno to the police internal affairs division for abuse of power.

Sept. 29
Police declare Antasari a suspect for violating the KPK ethics code in meeting with a suspect (Anggoro).

Oct. 2
Susno comes to the KPK headquarters to sooth relations between the two institutions.

Oct. 5
The police internal affairs division probes Susno for abuse of power.

Oct. 6
Yudhoyono issues a presidential decree appointing Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean acting KPK chairman to replace Antasari, and Mas Achmad Santosa and Waluyo acting deputy chairmen to replace Chandra and Bibit.

Oct. 7
The police internal affairs division clears Susno of all charges.

Oct. 26
Recordings of wiretapped conversations between Anggoro and his brother Anggodo with high-ranking prosecutors and police officers discussing in July a plot to frame KPK leaders is leaked to the media.

Oct. 27
Tumpak confirms the recordings exist.

Oct. 29
The Constitutional Court agrees to let the KPK disclose the recordings and other supporting facts that may strengthen their authority to combat corruption on Nov. 3.

Police arrest Chandra and Bibit.

Courtesy: The Jakarta Post

Once a beacon of integrity in the graft-ridden police force, the actions and involvement of Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji in the controversial case is now lowering further the public reputation of the police force.

But Susno’s defining controversy is his central role in what critics say is a blatant attempt to undermine the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

They say Susno has since early this year dragged the police into a full-fledged war against the KPK.

“The police’s sidelining of the KPK is getting more blatant after Susno takes the detective chief job,” said Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) coordinator Danang Widoyoko.

Susno is known to have close ties with fellow South Sumatran Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Radjasa, according to a source at the Presidential Palace.

Hatta is President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s most trusted aide after State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, and is also a confidant of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono’s. Hatta has refused to comment on the issue.
FULL STORY