Hooked up: People at Gondangdia Station, Central Jakarta, watch a live broadcast of a Constitutional Court session listening to conversations wiretaped by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) about a high-level plot to sabotage the antigraft body.JP/Nurhayati
Closing a dramatic day, the police on Tuesday released Bibit Samad Rianto and Chandra M. Hamzah, the two suspended Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputies, but deny they were bowing to public pressure.
However following their release shortly after midnight, the deputies will be subject to further investigation.
Around 8:30 p.m. police also picked up Anggodo Widjojo, the younger brother of graft suspect Anggoro Widjojo, who is at large in Singapore, late Tuesday following his appearance on TVOne on a self-defense talk show.
“The defense legal team just delivered the letter about the suspension of detention tonight," National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Nanan Sukarna told a press conference late Tuesday.
“The National Police chief has decided to release the two suspended deputies for other reasons, not because of public pressure.”
“They are not free yet, pending a verdict from the court.
Bibit and Chandra were declared suspects on Sept. 15 and were arrested on Sept. 29 for alleged abuse of power and bribery.
Public speculation they were being framed was backed up by a transcript of voice recordings outlining plans by the police and the Attorney General's Office (AGO) to fabricate evidence to implicate the pair in a criminal case.
Hours before the police suspended their detention, the Constitutional Court ordered the KPK to play the recordings in a live broadcast hearing where several top officials — including National Police chief detective Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji, Deputy Attorney General Abdul Hakim Ritonga and even President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono — were mentioned.
“The recordings have hurt the integrity of the police, the AGO and the KPK,” Nanan said.
Later Tuesday, Anggodo revealed his side of the story and apologized to Yudhoyono for mentioning the President's name in the wiretapped conversation.
“I apologize to the President. I didn't mean to quote your name."
After the lengthy television interview Anggodo also apologized to Susno and AGO former intelligence chief Wisnu Subroto for quoting their names.
He claimed he had never had contact with Ritonga and that he and his brother had already suffered enough public condemnation.
“To the people of Indonesia, please pity my family,” he said.
Anggodo will also have to face the fact-finding team, set up by Yudhoyono, on Thursday.
“Many people have questioned why Anggodo, whose role [in the case] is very dominant, was not being detained. We will meet him on Thursday,” said team chairman Adnan Buyung Nasution.
“Quick and tough measures need to be taken by law enforcers, especially by Susno Duadji, the detective chief who is responsible for the investigation of Chandra and Bibit. The National Police chief has to dismiss him,” he said.
Buyung said those mentioned in the recordings must also be investigated.
“The National Police chief must immediately take stern measures in relation to Anggodo.
“He can't be swarming around... Anggodo is the main perpetrator and has humiliated the state by controlling law enforcers with his wide network.
“The police must also investigate who [Ong] Yuliana [Gunawan] is.
“Yuliana is said to have access to the Presidential Palace," Buyung said, referring to a woman in the recordings.
“It can jeopardize the honor of the Palace,” added Buyung.
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