Minister: Indonesia-Singapore Extradition Treaty to Create Deterrence Effect

The signing of Indonesia-Singapore extradition treaty in Bintan regency, Riau Islands province, Tuesday (01/25). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

The Indonesia-Singapore extradition treaty, Tuesday (01/25), was signed in Bintan regency, Riau Islands province during the meeting between President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his Singaporean counterpart Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The treaty that has been pursued by the Indonesian Government since 1998 was inked by Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly and Singaporean Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Law K. Shanmugam.

“After a lengthy process, the Indonesia-Singapore extradition treaty can finally be signed,” Yasonna said in a press statement on the official website of Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Wednesday (01/26).

According to Yasonna, the two countries have agreed to extradite every person found in the area of a requested country who is pursued by the requesting country for the prosecution or sentence execution of a crime that can be extradited.

“This extradition treaty will create a deterrence effect for criminals in Indonesia and Singapore,” he said, adding that with this treaty, Singapore will restrict those who commit crimes in Indonesia from fleeing.

For the record, Indonesia also has extradition treaties with partner countries in the region, including with Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, the Republic of Korea, People’s Republic of China, and Hong Kong SAR.

Indonesia and Singapore are also legally bound by the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (MLA) Treaty that was signed by ASEAN member countries in 2008.

“If the two countries can immediately ratify the signed extradition treaty, law enforcement agencies in both countries can utilize this extradition treaty to prevent and eliminate transnational crimes, such as corruption and terrorism,” he remarked. (PR of Ministry of Law and Human Rights/UN) (DH/MUR)

The official website of Ministry of Law and Human Rights can be accessed through this link.