President orders suspension of officials cited in controversial records

Erwida Maulia ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 11/05/2009 12:53 PM  |  National

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered for the suspension of state officials cited in the controversial wiretapped conversations allegedly framing two deputy chiefs of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Yudhoyono said while opening a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office on Thursday that the measure was needed so as to smoothen investigation process.

"The national police chief and attorney general will, I hope do, it (suspending their involved officers) based on good intention, not because they are under pressures," the President said.

In the controversial recordings of conversations between Anggodo Widjojo, brother of graft suspect Anggoro Widjojo, with several people aired live on TV on Tuesday; a number of police and Attorney General's Office officials were mentioned in what is believed to be an alleged plot against KPK deputy chiefs Chandra M. Hamzah and Bibit Samad Riyanto.

Among those names are National Police chief detective Susno Duadji, deputy attorney general Abdul Hakim Ritonga, deputy head of Witness and Victim Protection Institution (LPSK) I Ketut Swarna and several police investigators.

Yudhoyono himself is also mentioned in the wiretapped conversation, but has denied any connection with the case and ordered for "thorough" investigation into the citing of his name there.

Susno and Ritonga have tendered their resignations, acccording to National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri and Attorney General Hendarman Supandji.

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