KPK defends its wire-tapping activities

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Interim Chairman Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean says that the commission's wire-tapping activities are protected by law and are therefore legitimate.

"It is stipulated in Article 12 of the KPK Law. KPK's right to wire-tap is a lawful intervention," he said during a break from a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission III on Law and Human Rights in Senayan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Tumpak was commenting on a recent statement by Anggodo Widjojo, the younger brother of graft fugitive, Anggoro Widjojo.

Anggodo said that he felt his rights as an Indonesian citizen were violated after a wire-tap recording circulated in the public domain that allegedly revealed his plotting with a number of high ranking officials at the National Police and the Attorney Generals' Office (AGO) to weaken the KPK .

Separately, Commission III Chairman Benny K. Harman from the Democratic Party said that his commission acknowledged KPK's superior authority.

"However, we want the KPK to ensure that it will not exploit its superior authority for personal gain or interest," he said.