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ritics are alarmed by the integrity and independence of candidates for a top job at the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), whose audits are a major source of evidence for law enforcement agencies fighting corruption.

Failure to select a credible person for the job will undermine the professionalism of the agency, which is already dogged with integrity issues.

Already, a majority of the nine top BPK officials have either strong affiliations to political parties or to vested-interest groups.

The House of Representatives Commission XI on finance is currently reviewing 22 candidates to replace retiring BPK official Taufiqurahman Ruki, a former chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and one of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's closest confidants.

The Commission has shortlisted many controversial figures for the vacancy.

Among the names are Golkar Party politician and former BPK official Baharuddin Aritonang, who only recently completed a 16-month jail sentence for accepting bribes. In June 2011, Baharuddin was convicted for conspiring to secure the position of central bank senior deputy governor for Miranda S. Goeltom.

Former deputy state-owned enterprises minister Muchayat is also in the spotlight.

Muchayat, a close associate of Yudhoyono's brother-in-law and former Democratic Party chairman Hadi Utomo, was named by Muhammad Nazaruddin, former Democratic Party chief treasurer, for having a finger in Hambalang pie that has dragged down so many top Dems. Muchayat has repeatedly denied the allegation.

'The BPK has been turned into a tool for corrupt political parties ahead of the 2014 elections. That is obvious in the current selection process,' said the Indonesian Legal Roundtable's Erwin Natosmal.

The 2006 BPK Law stipulates that the House has sole authority to select the nine BPK officials by considering recommendations filed by the Regional Representatives Council (DPD). The selection process is due to be completed by the end of June.

The strongest candidates, according to legislators, are Muchayat; BPK career auditor and staff expert Agus Joko Pramono; and former journalist Parwito, crony of BPK chairman Hadi Purnomo.

Hadi, a former Finance Ministry's director general of taxation and staunch supporter of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, has frequently made the headlines for his ostentatious wealth.

'Given the current situation at the BPK, the DPD urges the House to select candidates based on competence, independence and integrity,' said DPD member Zulbahri.

The DPD has recommended former Finance Ministry officials Hekinus Manao and Eddy Rasyidin, and former BPK auditor Rini Purwandari for the job.

The DPD and critics have all the more reason to worry about BPK performance as only four of BPK's nine serving members are auditors by profession. Three other members are politicians while two are simply friends of high-ranking government officials or party leaders.

'The BPK is supposed to be an independent agency, but it is increasingly difficult to maintain professionalism as they are basically political appointees,' said political observer Gun Gun Heryanto of Paramadina University.

Public access into their audits has become increasingly difficult since the BPK stopped publishing their full findings online after Hadi took over the leadership in 2009.

Tasked with ensuring central and local government, state institutions and state companies, comply with the principles of good governance, the BPK has raised plenty of criticism in the past three years for giving out 'clean' audits for obviously corrupt institutions, such as the National Police and the Religious Affairs Ministry.

House finance commission member from the Democratic Party Andi Timo Pangerang rejected the criticisms, saying not to worry about such backroom deals.

'That's why we will hold a fit and proper test! To find the best person for the post,' she said. 'We keep listening to the public input as well.'