The scandal goes to the heart of whether Indonesia is capable of shaking its reputation as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, and whether those who plundered billions from state coffers in the 1990s will ever face justice.

The prosecutor in charge of Mr Gunawan's case, Mr Sutarjo Turin, told journalists he faced up to 15 years' jail if found guilty.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has promised to tackle endemic corruption, but even the most cynical Indonesians have been shocked at the unfolding scandal in a key institution tasked with fighting graft.

Conversations secretly recorded by the watchdog Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and played at Ms Suryani's trial suggest a web of bribes and influence peddling at the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

In one of the calls, Mr Gunawan is heard asking for a 'bonus.'

'What I said the other day, is it done?' he says.

'Last time I said six,' Ms Suryani replies.

'There's no bonus?' Mr Gunawan asks.

'Yes, yes, later,' says the businesswoman.

Mr Gunawan was arrested by KPK officials in March as he left Mr Nursalim's home in Jakarta with S$903,000 in cash, just days after the AGO dropped its 10-year investigation into the banker citing a lack of evidence.

Mr Nursalim is believed to be living in Singapore.

Indonesia ranks 143rd on Transparency International's global corruption perceptions index, alongside Russia, Togo and Gambia. -- AFP