T

he Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) snubbed the fresh threat issued by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) to report one of its commissioners to the agency's ethics board and the National Police for allegedly insulting the intelligence of lawmakers.

The latest butting of heads involving KPK leaders and PKS politicians occurred during a House of Representatives hearing on the Bank Century probe on Wednesday.

Politicians from the Islamic-based party walked out of the hearing after KPK deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto made a comment they deemed offensive.

The comment: 'From the beginning, we had a firm commitment to solve this case. We have used our investigative strategies correctly. Let's not use hyperbolic expressions. This [notion] is only for those who understand, who are on the same frequency with us,' was made in response to lawmakers' criticism of the sluggish investigation of the controversial bailout.

Fahri Hamzah, an outspoken critic of the KPK who has been calling for the antigraft agency's disbandment, said that Bambang's remark was insulting. 'The remarks he made were offensive and lowered the dignity of the House.'

According to Fahri, a small team within the party is currently discussing the plan to report Bambang for an alleged ethics breach and defamation.

'He violated the code of ethics because he promised to not handle the Century case due to a potential conflict of interest caused by his former occupation as the lawyer of the Insurance Deposit Agency [LPS],' he told The Jakarta Post over the phone on Thursday.

Fahri said this move was necessary to ensure the investigation on the Century case went smoothly and to avoid potential divided loyalties.

Bambang said he was ready to face the PKS' threat.

He admitted that he had promised to not handle the Bank Century case, but KPK commissioners had asked for his help.

He said he did not intend to insult the lawmakers. 'We paid attention to the House monitoring team. No matter how blunt or harsh the comments were, we accepted them. We weren't being a cry baby, especially when there were a lot of constructive comments,' Bambang said.

The KPK, he said, would not pay much attention to the PKS' moves. 'There are many fundamental problems to which this country should pay attention. It is better for the KPK to focus on those.'

Fahri's threat against Bambang is the latest move by the PKS to purportedly undermine the antigraft agency after the arrest of its former chairman, Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, for his role in the beef import graft case. The party previously claimed the KPK's case against Luthfi was a work of conspiracy.

The party also resisted attempts by the KPK to seize several PKS-owned cars from outside the party's headquarters. The incident led to the party's move to report KPK spokesman Johan Budi to the police for defamation. The police are still investigating the case.

When KPK leaders failed to attend a hearing with the House's special committee overseeing the Bank Century probe, PKS lawmakers were the loudest to criticize and threatened to forcibly bring the KPK to the House.

KPK commissioner Busyro Muqoddas said he was baffled by the PKS' behavior.

'How could a senior PKS politician go out on a limb by accusing the KPK of conspiracy?' he asked, referring to the comment made by senior PKS member Hidayat Nurwahid. 'Just let them [do what they want]. It won't impact on us whatsoever.'