Basrif Arief (born in Tanjung Enim, South Sumatra on 23 January 1947) is a veteran prosecutor who has had an almost 43 year career at the AGO prior to his retirement in 2007. He received a Masters from the University of Padjadjaran, West Sumatra (2000) and a law degree from the University of Andalas, Bandung, West Java (1975).

Basrif Arief was sworn in as the Attorney General on 26 November 2010, replacing Acting Attorney General Darmono. His appointment follows the end of Hendarman Supandji's tenure, on 24 September 2010, as a result of a Supreme Court decision.

Prior to his appointment, Basrif Arief has been in retirement from the AGO since 2007, when he reached the mandatory retirement age. Prior to his retirement he served as the Deputy Attorney General (2005-2007), as a Junior Attorney General for Intelligence during the Megawati administration (2001-2004), and as chief prosecutor for DKI Jakarta (2000). More recently, he served as a member of the 2010 KPK selection committee.

Basrif Arief has stated that he intends to ensure that the needed reforms take place at the AGO, and that his focus will be on addressing the handling of cases, and the related bureaucracy. At the same time, however, he also intends to continue with the programmes initiated by his predecessor. In terms of bureaucratic reform he intends to target both the human resources aspect, and the technical ability in the field. He also stated that he intends to expand the AGO’s cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, such as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Having earned a name as a corruption fighter, due to his experience of leading the AGO in graft cases, Basrif Arief had been offered the leadership position at the KPK in 2007 – an offer that he declined. His appointment is widely seen as being a positive, if not particularly radical, development in terms of addressing the issues faced by the AGO, which has seen its reputation greatly diminished in light of a number of recent high profile corruption scandals. 

Nonetheless, civil society organizations have pointed out that Basrif Arief’s appointment by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is an attempt to harmonize conflicts, which does less to fight corruption than would an appointment of someone from outside the AGO. 

Sources:

1. http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/basrief-plans-to-prove-doubters-wrong-in-restoring-battered-agos-reputation/408774

2. http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/veteran-who-knows-indonesian-politics-returning-to-lead-ago/408617

3. http://theindonesiatoday.com/news-headline/5786-basrief-arief-named-new-attorney-general.html

4. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/11/25/mixed-response-welcomes-new-attorney-general.html

5. http://www.rakyatmerdeka.co.id/news.php?id=10383