Indonesian authorities have arrested the country's chief ombudsman on bribery charges just five days after he was sworn in as the top official responsible for fighting government graft, the Attorney General's office said.

Hery Susanto, sworn in as chief ombudsman by President Prabowo Subianto last Friday, was arrested late on Wednesday over allegations he accepted bribes from a nickel company, according to Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, director of investigations for the Attorney General's office.

Hery was accused of receiving 1.5 billion rupiah (about US$88,000) while serving in a more junior role in the ombudsman's office.

"We carried out a search, and we took him into custody last night at his home," Syarief told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday.

Hery was paraded in front of journalists wearing a bright pink vest of the kind often worn by people arrested on corruption charges in Indonesia.

There was no immediate comment from Hery or any legal representatives about the charges. He risks prison time if convicted.

Indonesia has the world's largest nickel reserves and is the biggest producer of the metal used in electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel. (AFP)



Edited by Robert Kemp