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The saga of fugitive former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin has held the nation’s collective attention for some time. Having fled the country last month, Nazaruddin has hurled accusations at numerous politicians and government officials from his hideaways.

While his arrest in Colombia has brought one story to a conclusion, another one may be starting. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is claiming it should be the first to question him once he arrives in Indonesia. The KPK was the institution that declared Nazaruddin a graft suspect on May 30, but the man had already left for Singapore about a week earlier and his whereabouts were unknown until his arrest on Sunday.

The police also want to question Nazaruddin about his involvement in two cases: a libel case filed by Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum and a possible immigration violation pertaining to the use of a passport that was not his. Nazaruddin was using a passport that was said to belong to his cousin.

The battle by the two institutions as to who should question Nazaruddin first is baffling and worrying. Surely the two sides can work out an arrangement where they can both question the former fugitive.

Nazaruddin certainly has a lot for which to answer. His flight and subsequent accusations must be thoroughly investigated. As the former treasurer of the Democratic Party, it is time for him to come clean.

All the questions that have popped up in relation to him must finally be answered. If any money was stolen, he must return what remains in a transparent manner. Given his behavior during the past few months, the police are justified in restraining him.

Nazaruddin is not the first white-collar criminal to have been caught by the long arm of the law, and he will probably not be the last. Once he returns to the country, though, it will put the justice system under immense pressure. The manner in which this case is handled will determine just how far the system has come. Justice must be done, and it must be made clear to everybody that it is being done.

We hope therefore that the justice system will be applied fairly and evenly. The main issue here is what the Nazaruddin saga says about the justice system. Can it show this is more than just political theater designed to appease the people?