WHEN they were first chosen three years ago, the five Corruption Eradication Commission leaders had an immediate impact. Big-time cases were swept up, from central bank officials, police officers, prosecutors and members of parliament to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s in-law.

The turning point came after Antasari Azhar was arrested on charges of involvement in premeditated murder. The commission was then paralyzed when two of its deputie