JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said the Singapore High Court rejected an application filed by a suspect in the alleged corruption case for the procurement of electronic ID cards (e-KTP) Paulus Tannos alias Tjhin Thian Po. This decision is considered important in the extradition efforts of the businessman who is a fugitive.
"The KPK welcomes the positive decision of the Singapore High Court which rejected the request of the suspect Paulus Tannos. This decision is an important development in the effort to enforce laws across jurisdictions and further opens the way for the acceleration of the ongoing extradition process," said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters through a written statement, Friday, June 5.
The KPK asks that the extradition process can be carried out immediately so that Paulus can be tried. Because, his presence abroad is considered to interfere with the handling of the corruption case of the e-KTP procurement project.
"With this decision, the KPK hopes that the extradition process against Paulus Tannos can be completed immediately so that the person concerned can be brought to Indonesia to face legal proceedings for the case being handled by the KPK," he said.
"Until now, Paulus Tannos is a suspect who is on the wanted list (DPO) and his presence abroad is a challenge in the law enforcement process," continued Budi.
In the future, Budi ensures that his agency will intensively coordinate with the Ministry of Law, related law enforcement officials, and other stakeholders both at home and abroad.
"The KPK reiterates its commitment to completing this case professionally, transparently, and in accordance with applicable laws. The presence of the suspect in Indonesia will be very important to ensure that the judicial process can run effectively and provide legal certainty for all parties," he said.
"We also express our appreciation to all parties who have supported the process of handling this case. The KPK is optimistic that good cooperation between the two countries' authorities will further strengthen the effectiveness of eradicating corruption, including in efforts to bring perpetrators of corruption who have fled abroad to be held accountable for their actions before the law."
As a reminder, Paulus Tannos was named a new suspect in the development of the investigation into the electronic KTP procurement corruption case on August 13, 2019. The KPK revealed the state's financial losses in the case of around Rp. 2.3 trillion.
However, Paulus Tannos fled abroad and changed his identity to Thian Po Tjhin. He was included in the KPK's wanted list (DPO) or fugitive since October 19, 2021.
Paulus was then arrested in Singapore in early January 2025. The current extradition process is still being carried out in accordance with the agreement signed by Indonesia and Singapore.
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