This is the first time that the head of Indonesia’s anti-corruption body has been accused of the crime that the agency was created to police.
Firli, a former police inspector general, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He has not been arrested.
He said in a press conference on Monday prior to being a named a suspect that he has “never extorted anyone, and I’ve never been involved in a bribery … with anyone”.
The Corruption Eradication Commission, known by its Indonesian initials KPK, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
President Joko Widodo said on Thursday “to respect the process of law” when asked about Firli being named a suspect.
Firli was named the KPK chief in 2019, around the same time critics said changes to the law governing the agency had weakened it, triggering a series of “save the KPK” protests.
KPK has prosecuted hundreds of politicians, officials, and businessmen since its formation in 2002, becoming one of the country’s most respected agencies.