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A defiant Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji, saying his only motive was the truth, stood by his claims on Sunday that three high-ranking police officials took bribes to stop investigating a case, and added that he was ready to face police investigators today.

The high-profile battle between Susno, the former chief of detectives, and the National Police has exposed deep fault lines in the force and left Susno’s fellow officers fuming with anger.

“I am not afraid,” Susno told the Jakarta Globe on Sunday. “I am ready to face their complaint anytime. I still believe that from the start they engineered this case … and benefited from [it].”

Susno was referring to the case of Gayus Tambunan, 30, a tax official who was investigated over Rp 25 billion ($2.75 million) he had in two bank accounts. Susno claims that three officers he publicly identified only by rank and initials received bribes in relation to the case, an allegation the National Police have furiously denied.

Police say they only found Rp 395 million of the funds in Gayus’s accounts to be illegal, which they reported to prosecutors. Last October, Gayus was charged with money laundering, corruption and embezzlement. Three weeks ago, the Tangerang District Court acquitted him of all charges.

Susno, who has been a thorn in the side of his superiors since he was relieved of his post in December, did nothing to calm the waters. “It’s strange that the National Police spokesman was defensive from the start,” he said. “Even before launching an investigation.”

Lampung Police Chief Brig. Gen. Edmond Ilyas, one of the three officials believed to have been identified by Susno, has filed a defamation complaint against Susno. Brig. Gen. Radja Erisman, the director of economic crimes and another official seemingly identified by Susno, said on Friday that his accuser was the one who received money.

An earlier battle over Susno’s unauthorized defense testimony in a criminal trial was swept under the rug, but a police source said this is different. “The police will use every legal instrument available to come down hard on Susno, who has made it clear he cannot be controlled,” the source said.

Susno said on Sunday that he had “no motive other than to tell the truth,” but he may yet have higher aspirations.

Police analyst Bambang Widodo Umar said, “I think this is good for him,” adding that Susno could be aiming to lead the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

In response, Golkar Party member Bambang Soesatyo said, “Susno still has the opportunity to get this position. He looks like a hero today.”

Ironically, Susno lost his detective post after widespread allegations that he tried to frame two KPK officials on false corruption charges late last year.



Additional reporting by Heru Andriyanto & Anita Rachman