NOW the real work starts. The saga involving the former treasurer of the Democratic Party, Muhammad Nazaruddin, has kept the nation riveted for the past few months given his brazenness, the worldwide hunt for him and the extraordinary costs incurred in bringing him back. Not only is Nazaruddin wanted by both the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the police, he is linked to 31 graft cases involving state projects totalling more than Rp6tr ($700m). These are enormous sums … and if true, he could not have acted alone. As the job of getting down to the details begins, there will be enormous public scrutiny and pressure on the KPK. …Its very standing in the public eye is at stake, and if it fails to be totally above board and transparent, it will quickly lose its good name.

The KPK is not the only institution whose reputation is on the line. In such a high-stakes game, the reputation of the entire judiciary and security apparatus of the nation is at risk. … There are already fears that Nazaruddin may be made a scapegoat to help hide other powerful individuals.... It is absolutely critical that there be no grand political deal done to protect higher interests. Nazaruddin has implicated scores of others in his graft cases and every one of these allegations must be fully investigated. But even as no stone is left unturned, it is important that we do not become obsessed with this one case. We cannot afford to let other business of the state fall by the wayside if all attention and resources are focused on Nazaruddin’s case…. — (Aug 15)