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AKARTA: The Corruption Court rejected defense pleas Thursday by Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) member Muhammad Iqbal, instead choosing to proceed with a trial hearing over bribery accusations levelled against him.

Iqbal has been accused of receiving a Rp 500 million (US$42,000) bribe in exchange for ruling favorably in a broadcasting rights dispute.

A panel of judges told the anticorruption court to continue the trial and hear testimonies from witnesses in the case.

Iqbal's lawyers argued the indictment against their client was "premature", but judge I Made Hendra said this claim was unacceptable.

"Muhammad Iqbal is a state official, so the court has the authority to try him," the judge said.

In a previous trial session, Iqbal filed his objection to the indictment, saying he was a victim of an "evil conspiracy" against the KPPU.

Iqbal has been accused of receiving the bribe from former Lippo Group top brass Billy Sindoro, claims he calls baseless and wrong.

The bribe was allegedly paid for Iqbal's ruling in favor of Direct Vision, a subsidiary of Lippo Group, in a KPPU ruling regarding broadcasting rights for English Premier League soccer matches on Aug. 29, 2008.