by Mathias Haryadi

Parliament chooses Busyro Muqqodas, until now head of the Indonesian Commission of Justice. Critics accuse: too much money spent on an appointment that lasts only one year. Members of the KPK applaud the choice: "Welcome aboard." Post vacant for months after the former chief Azhar involved in a murder probe.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The appointment of Busyro Muqqodas as head of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has triggered conflicting reactions : his supporters defend the choice of a competent person who knows how to tackle the problems facing the country. Experts and scholars who oppose the decision, say too much money is spent for a job that will only last a year. And they add: it was a rush to "fill a vacancy," without thinking long term.

Last night the III Commission of Justice of the Indonesian parliament elected - almost unanimously - Busyro Muqqodas as head of the prestigious anti-corruption commission at the centre of scandals and controversies in recent months. Muqqodas is the current chairman of the Indonesian National Commission for Justice and beat the other candidate in the race, Bambang Widjojanto, a leading activist in the defence of human rights. The appointment as head of the KPK will be valid for one year, he will replace Antazari Azhar, former head of anti-corruption commission, removed from office following an investigation for murder.

The Indonesian Forum of University Rectors emphasizes that the path that led to the election is "too expensive" for an assignment that lasts only one year. Edy Suandi Hamid, one of the delegates of the Forum, said "it makes no sense to spend so much money, if the Authority will be invalidated a year from now." Febri Diansyah, an expert on anti-corruption, points the finger at the Parliament, guilty of appointing a person to a job he held for too short a period. "The crucial point - he added – was to choose a figure to guide the KPK for another four years," as required by the mandate.

Despite criticism, members of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Commission welcome the appointment of Busyro Muqqodas. "Welcome on board in the fight against corruption" With these words M. Jasin, deputy head of the KPK, hailed the appointment of the new supervisor.

The KPK has been in a deadlock that has lasted more than eight months, a consequence of the in crimination of its former president. In recent months, the Parliament rejected the appointment of interim chief Tumpak H. Panggabean to permanent head of the Commission. In the coming year Busyro Muqqodas will face cases including the scandal involving the Century Bank and other corruption cases.

• Indonesia
• corruption
• commission
• appointment
• parliament
• Busyro
• Muqqodas