Indonesia to investigate corruption agency case

By Muklis Ali

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's president on Monday ordered an investigation into an alleged plot against the country's anti-corruption agency, considered a key weapon in the fight against graft and efforts to attract investment.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was re-elected in July to a second, five-year term partly on the back of the agency's success in fighting endemic graft and his promises to continue to clean up one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

The success of the Corruption Eradication Commission, or KPK, has helped revive investor interest in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

But the agency, which has helped put scores of officials in prison, has made many enemies among the elite in business and politics and has come under threat after police detained two senior officials widely thought to have been framed.

Yudhoyono will issue a presidential decree to set up the independent team that will investigate the detention of the two KPK officials, Security and Political Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto said.

Chandra Hamzah and Bibit Samad Riyanto, two of four deputy chiefs at the KPK, were detained last week and police said they were suspected of graft and abuse of power. Both deny the allegations.

"This afternoon the formation of an independent team to verify facts and the legal process related to Chandra and Bibit has been agreed," said Suyanto.

Local media reported last week the two men, recently removed from their jobs, may have been framed.