Antasari Azhar's social life has suffered since he took the job as Indonesia's top graft-buster in December 2007. 'We have an internal code that forbids us to mingle with people who have problems with the KPK. That means that I am not likely to take part in many social events,' said Mr Antasari, chairman of the powerful Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK).
Social events in Indonesia are strictly organised along hierarchical lines. Those events to which Mr Antasari is invited are likely to be gatherings of the rich and powerful. Unfortunately for the chief graft-buster, more and more bankers, lawmakers, bureaucrats and diplomats are falling under the scrutiny of the KPK, which means that Mr Antasari, who started his career as prosecutor in 1985, is likely to spend most of his evenings at home watching movies.
He does not seem to mind it much, though.
'When we do something significant, we always have to sacrifice something. We become a martyr for a good cause,' he said.
Mr Antasari's poor social life is the measure of the success of the KPK, a body established five years ago, in the dying days of former president Megawati Sukarnoputri's administration.
Back then, most observers thought the new body would sink into the mire of sleaze that has characterised Indonesian politics and business since Suharto's three-decade reign fostered a culture of favours for money. Graft still permeates every level of society and has been a brake on Indonesia's growth and development.
Yet, under the tutelage of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the KPK has surprised many. In the past two years, incredulous observers have seen once untouchable figures being put in the dock and sent to jail.
