New doubts over case against Indonesia graft fighter

By Olivia Rondonuwu

JAKARTA (Reuters) - A key witness in a court case against the former head of Indonesia's top anti-corruption body said on Tuesday he had been told by police to fabricate testimony against the official combating graft.

Public frustration has mounted in recent days over a separate apparent plot to undermine the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), seen as one of Indonesia's few effective law enforcement agencies for prosecuting corrupt businessmen, bankers, politicians and police.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has promised to tackle corruption and promote legal reform in a country where graft and legal uncertainty deter investment and curb economic growth.

The former head of the KPK, Antasari Azhar, was arrested earlier this year and charged with the murder of a businessman.

But Williardi Wizar, a suspended police official, told a court on Tuesday that senior police officers had conspired to frame Azhar for murder and had asked for testimony to be made up, saying "our target is only Antasari".

Azhar, pale and shaken, burst into tears after the comments.

The testimony followed public outrage over police treatment of two other anti-corruption officials.

Chandra Hamzah and Bibit Samad Riyanto -- two of four deputy chiefs at the KPK -- were detained last month. Police said they were suspected of graft and abuse of power.