Indonesia's anti-corruption chief Busjro Muqoddas has only been in the job six months and has already taken on a judge, members of parliament and even the president's political party, according to Reuters. But critics believe that the fight against corruption has actually slowed in the past year. And much, they say, will depend on the support team to be chosen to help him spearhead the fight against corruption, frequently cited as a priority by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Anti-graft activists hailed on Tuesday a court ruling that extended Muqoddas's contract as head of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for three years. He now takes on the task of overcoming the entrenched system of corruption among lawmakers, the tax office, police and legal system in a country trying to attract more long-term money flows and an upgrade to an investment grade sovereign rating. "There is a public belief that there is corruption in politics and concrete cases appeared during Muqoddas's time," said Febri Diansyah of watchdog the Indonesia Corruption Watch, adding the anti-corruption body needed continuity of leadership. The appointment of Muqoddas, a soft-spoken former academic, late in 2010 for just one year was initially seen as a step that could potentially weaken the fight against corruption in Southeast Asia's largest economy. Attention will now focus on who will fill the jobs underpinning his campaign and able to stand up to risks that can include intimidation, death threats and legal challenges. -- SPA
