Muhammadiyah chairman throws weight behind KPK ethics council

Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsudin on Friday said he trusted that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) ethics council would be able to resolve allegations that its deputies had tampered with a high-profile graft case investigation.

"The KPK ethics council members are respectable figures. I believe they can resolve problems in the KPK," Din said at the headquarters of Muhammadiyah — Indonesia's second-largest Muslim organization — in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

He added that the task of the council was simple. "It should openly determine who is right and who is wrong," he said.

The ethics council, comprised of several independent experts and KPK officials such as commission chairman Busyro Muqoddas, was formed to investigate allegations made by fugitive bribery suspect and former Democratic Party treasurer M. Nazaruddin.

Nazaruddin said that KPK deputy chairman Chandra M. Hamzah, deputy chairman for enforcement Brig. Gen. Ade Rahardja, spokesman Johan Budi and investigator Adj. Sr. Comr. Roni Samtana had met with him to "discuss" a corruption case implicating Nazaruddin.

Din also said that attempts to fight corruption were still being carried out "half-heartedly".

"Fighting corruption was one of mandates during the reform [era]. Therefore it should be done thoroughly and seriously by all parties receiving the mandate," he said.

Din added that the KPK should immediately verify the allegations made by Nazarudidn.

"Otherwise, the KPK will lose people's trust," he said. (aaa)