One of the nation's most prominent attorneys, Adnan Buyung Nasution, says he will lead the team representing former Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum on graft charges in the Hambalang scandal.

Adnan, who has been critical of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono since he resigned Yudhoyono's special aide in 2009, said he was eager to help Anas, who he described as a 'victim of false public opinion'.

'I have a consistent track record and have always tended to be eager to assist those who have been oppressed,' Adnan told reporters at his office in South Jakarta.

Adnan joins other prominent lawyers on Anas' defense team, including Firman Wijaya, Tina Haryaning, Asmar Oemar Saleh, Carrel Ticualu, Patra M. Zen, Handika Honggowongso, and Abdul Hadi Lubis.

'I don't just accept any offer. I have a mission to uphold truth and justice,' Adnan said.

Anas has been charged with accepting a Toyota Harrier sedan as an illicit gratuity in 2009 from the firm that won a tender to build a portion of the Rp 1.17 trillion (US$120.5 million) Hambalang sports complex in West Java.

Several big names from the Democratic Party, among other parties, have been implicated in scandal, including former youth and sports minister Andi Mallarangeng, once a member of Yudhoyono's inner circle.

Anas has said that the case against him was part of a 'systematic effort' of his political enemies to undermine him and unseat him as Democratic Party chairman.

The party, which has been suffering from prolonged internal turmoil between the supporters of Anas and Yudhoyono, convened a congress last month and named Yudhyono to succeed Anas, who resigned after he was named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Last year, Adnan released a book titled Advice for SBY, which reportedly enraged Yudhoyono's aides by detailing Adnan's experience as a presidential advisor from 2007 to 2009. In the book, Adnan alleged that the government did not have the guts to combat rampant corruption in the bureaucracy because Yudhoyono had not followed the suggestions of his advisors.

Adnan's daughter, attorney Pia Akbar Nasution, denied that her father's decision to help Anas was connected to his sour relationship with Yudhoyono. 'We just want to ensure that the legal process for Anas' case will be conducted properly and free from any form of intervention or orchestration.'

Echoing Pia, Anas, who was also at the press conference, said that he welcomed the aid of Adnan, whom he said had a commitment to uphold the truth. 'Defending Anas is a minor issue. The essence is truth and justice,' Anas said.

This is not the first controversial graft case that Adnan has taken on. In 2010, he rankled feathers after agreeing to represent Gayus Tambunan. In early 2011, Adnan dropped the case of the infamous tax man, claiming Gayus had betrayed a commitment to expose rampant corruption at the tax office.

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