PRESIDENT ADVISED TO INTERVENE IN KPK-POLICE FEUD

Jakarta, Sept. 15 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono should interfere in the "rivalry" between the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and Police, a former KPK official said.

"In my opinion, the president needs to intervene," Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, a former KPK deputy chief, said here on Tuesday.

The president's involvement could be conducted without intervening in the ongoing legal process, he said.

The police grilled KPK leaders over alleged abuse of power in the anti-graft body for issuing and revoking travel bans on Djoko Tjandra and Anggoro Widjojo, both businessmen.

The president's intervention in the KPK-Police case was needed to prevent any vested interest profiting from the friction, h said.

Riyana said he respected the legal process being carried out by the police but it must be done based on objective considerations.

The public might suspect that something was being hidden if the president did not interfere, he said.

"It could become a political scandal which might affect the president himself," he said.

He said efforts to weaken KPK had been done since he was still active in the anti-graft body.

He believed that the problem being faced by KPK currency was part of the efforts to weaken KPK which has been tried since long time a go.

"We are aware that we are being spied on," he said.

Deputy Coordinator of the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) Emerson Yuntho shared the opinion of Erry Riyana on the need for the president's intervention.

The head of state must ask for the police's explanation on the legal process involving the KPK leaders.

"The president must be active in this case," he said.

Hundreds of protesters grouped in "Anti-corruption White Solidarity when holding a rally in front of the KPK office, urged President Yudhoyono to make a change and support efforts to fight corruption.

"Mr. President, You can make a difference now. Save KPK, Fight Corruption," they said as stated in a banner that they carried in the rally.