La Nyalla Still in Singapore Despite Overstaying: Indonesian Attorney-General

Jakarta, 03 Say’ban 1437/11 May 2016 (MINA) – Indonesia’s Attorney-General H M Prasetyo said on Tuesday (May 10) he is convinced that graft suspect La Nyalla Matalitti is still in Singapore despite having exceeded his stay in the Republic.

State media Antara news reported Mr Prasetyo as saying that the Indonesian government is trying to trace Mr La Nyalla’s whereabouts through the Indonesian embassy in Singapore.

Mr Prasetyo said that if his location is known, the Indonesian government can request the help of Interpol.

“Whatever it is, he (La Nyalla) has already overstayed in Singapore. He is hiding like a cat over there,” Mr Prasetyo told reporters at the State Palace.

Mr Prasetyo added that Mr La Nyalla’s bank account has been frozen, but believes there are still people sending money to him in Singapore.

“The Singapore government can remove La Nyalla from the country if they find him, because he has violated immigration policy,” said Mr Prasetyo.

Mr La Nyalla, who is the chairman of Indonesia’s football association (PSSI), was named as a suspect in a graft investigation in March involving a grant worth about 5.3 billion rupiah (S$540,000).

He was later reported to have fled to Malaysia and then to Singapore.

The Indonesian authorities have since revoked his passport.

Last month, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said Singapore and Jakarta are in touch in regards to Mr La Nyalla’s case.

“As a matter of policy, we are unable to comment on specific cases. Singapore will cooperate with and provide assistance to Indonesia within the ambit of our laws and our international obligations,” said a spokesperson from MHA. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)