Indonesia VP's Comments on Extradition 'Incorrect' : Singapore

Samadikun Hartono, was arrested again in China after 13 years as a fugitive. (Tempo Photo)

Jakarta, 16 Rajab 1437/24 April 2016 (MINA) – Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s comments on extradition agreements between Singapore and Indonesia are “incorrect”, , said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a statement on Saturday (April 23).

MFA was responding to media reports in Indonesia which had quoted Mr Kalla as stating Singapore “never wants to sign” an extradition agreement with Indonesia, CNA was quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting..

On Friday, Mr Kalla had told the media that Indonesia could have arrested many more fugitives if it had an extradition treaty with Singapore.

Speaking to reporters at the Vice President’s palace, Mr Kalla noted that Indonesia already has in place extradition treaties with many countries.

“But the area where many fugitives run away to – that is Singapore – there is no extradition agreement. Hopefully, Singapore can change its mind to also sign an extradition agreement,” said Mr Kalla.

Pending Ratification

In response to Mr Kalla’s statement, MFA pointed out that Singapore and Indonesia had signed the Extradition Treaty and Defence Cooperation Agreement as a package in April 2007. The ceremony took place in Bali and was was witnessed by then-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The agreements were signed when Mr Kalla was then also the Vice President of Indonesia, added the ministry.

MFA said both agreements are pending ratification by the Indonesian House of Representatives, and Singapore is ready to proceed with them once Jakarta is ready to do so.

Despite the lack of progress on that front, MFA stated that Singapore and Indonesia continue to enjoy good bilateral cooperation in law enforcement and in dealing with criminal matters.

Mr Kalla’s comments came after Indonesia tycoon Hartawan Aluwi, linked to a high-profile fraud case, was deported from Singapore on Thursday evening. Singapore Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam had considered Hartawan to be “an undesirable immigrant … due to his involvement in fraudulent investment schemes and money laundering activities”, his ministry said.

Mr Hartawan was arrested as soon as he arrived back in Jakarta. He had fled to Singapore in 2008 for allegedly misusing 6.7 trillion rupiah (S$687 million) of government funds.

The money was used to bail out the now-defunct Bank Century eight years ago.

Another Indonesian fugitive, La Nyalla Mattalitti, who is the country’s football association chief, is believed to have fled to Singapore after he was named as a suspect in a graft probe last month. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)