The BBC's Jonathan Head in Jakarta: Indonesia's embattled attorney general finally succumbed to a tide of criticism

The Attorney-General, Andi Ghalib, has been accused by a watchdog organisation of taking bribes from senior businessmen. He has denied the charges.

Last week the government announced it was launching an investigation into the allegations.

A cabinet minister was quoted as saying President Habibie had accepted Mr Ghalib's decision to stand down for the time being. He said the suspension would remain in effect "until the matter is cleared under the law".

Avoiding bias

Indonesia's State Secretary Muladi later said the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Feisal Tanjung, would take over as acting attorney-general.

Corruption was a key issue in the recent election campaign

Mr Muladi, who also holds the post of Justice Minister, has said he expects the probe into Mr Ghalib's dealings would be completed within a week.

He added that an independent accountant - possibly a foreigner - would be employed to conduct the investigation, to avoid accusations of bias.

Two weeks ago the independent organisation, Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW), reported that Mr Ghalib had 13bn rupiah ($1.6m) in various bank accounts - a sum which was "highly abnormal" in relation to his salary.

Mr Ghalib has filed charges of defamation against ICW over the accusations.

Under fire

Indonesian newspapers have quoted him as referring to the official who made the accusation as an animal against whom he would launch a vendetta.

Months of investigating Mr Suharto's wealth have produced no charges

The attorney-general has been widely criticised for failing to conduct a meaningful investigation into the billions of dollars allegedly acquired by Mr Suharto during his 32 years in office.

The inquiry continued for several months without producing any conclusive evidence against the former president or any charges.

Student activists who have led the anti-corruption drive say the probe is cosmetic and that Mr Ghalib has been trying to protect the former president.

Corruption was a leading campaign issue in last week's general elections and is widely seen as the key to the poor showing of the ruling Golkar party.