Bibit and Chandra still active but their authority limited

Bibit Samad Rianto and Chandra M. Hamzah, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) executives accused extortion and abuse of power, are still at work, but have had their authority sharply curtailed.

“To avoid any question of the validity of KPK decisions, Bibit and Chandra will not participate in any document signing processes,” a KPK leader, Mochammad Jasin, said Friday.

He explained that pending a Presidential Decree on their status, Bibit and Chandra would still act as KPK leaders.

“Bibit and Chandra will continue to contribute their thoughts and advice to the KPK,” Jasin said.

He added that all decision making processes would rest on the shoulders of the two remaining active leaders, himself and Haryono Umar.

Attorney General Hendarman Supandji announced Thursday, after consulting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, that his office would file for a case review that could save the two KPK leaders from any further investigation or prosecution.

The AGO plans to  file for a review of a Jakarta High Court ruling last week that went in favor of businessman Anggodo Widjojo, who had filed a pre-trial lawsuit against a proposal to halt a criminal investigation into Bibit and Chandra.

Bibit and Chandra were accused of solicitation of bribes and abuse of power last year in their handling of an investigation involving Anggodo’s brother, corruption fugitive Anggoro Widjojo.