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fter being catapulted to the Democratic Party'€™s top job in 2010, Anas Urbaningrum was lauded by many to be a rising star, but he finally fell from grace on Friday when the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) incarcerated him.

His detention relates to his alleged role in a graft case surrounding the construction of the Hambalang sports center complex among other scandals.

Anas'€™ detention comes 11 months after he was first declared a suspect, which for many had resulted in immediate arrest. However, the KPK chose to bide it'€™s time to ensure it built a strong case.

Anas'€™ detention demonstrates the country'€™s bid to treat everybody equally before the law. The KPK has arrested many high-ranking officials and politicians accused of committing graft and Anas is no exception.

But as a seasoned politician, Anas seemingly enjoyed the media'€™s broad, if not excessive, coverage regardless of the fact that he had defied the KPK'€™s summons twice, before finally complying on Friday.

Donning the orange vest specially designed for KPK detainees, Anas maintained his cool as he spoke to the media outside the KPK headquarters in Kuningan, South Jakarta. But clearly, he is trying to use his deep knowledge of the ruling party, including its upper echelons, to blur the case the KPK has launched against him.

Anas, for example, has repeatedly claimed his implication in the graft case is a consequence of his standoff with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono '€” the party'€™s powerful chief patron.

Shortly after the KPK named him a suspect, Anas threatened to disclose the party'€™s secrets, which immediately sparked speculation that he intended to bring the whole party down along with him. Anas has the right to put up a fight against his political enemies, but is not supposed to evade justice.

The KPK should, and must, not let the ruling party'€™s internal affairs distract the investigation into Anas'€™ alleged involvement in the Hambalang case.

It is imperative, too, for the antigraft body to not rest in its case against Anas. For the sake of its well-preserved credibility, the KPK must prove its move against Anas is purely for the sake of law, thus, must not ignore the possible involvement of other party members or leaders in
the case.