Menkum HAM Has Signed An Extradition Treaty, Why Hasn't The Fugitive KPK Fleeed To Singapore Been Arrested?

Member of DPR Johan Budi/DOK VOI

JAKARTA - In early 2022, Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly signed the Indonesia-Singapore Extradition Agreement. This agreement is expected to create a fearful effect for criminals in Indonesia and Singapore.

It is known that currently the owner of PT Duta Palma Group, Surya Darmadi, is on the KPK wanted list. To this day, Surya Darmadi has not been found and is suspected of having fled to Singapore.

So, can this agreement be used? Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives, Johan Budi, believes that the government should have been able to enforce the extradition treaty. However, Johan admitted that he still had to confirm whether the government had made a deal on this extradition treaty.

"The extradition is between the government and the government, between the treaty countries," said Johan when contacted on Wednesday, August 3.

"But it must be confirmed correctly (there is an agreement, red)," he added.

Regarding the arrest of fugitives, Johan explained that the extradition treaty does not necessarily mean that the Singaporean government will arrest Indonesian criminals who have fled to their country.

However, the fugitive in question has been arrested by the Interpol police and then extradited. So it cannot be said that the state is unable to catch fugitives.

"Look, people who have an extradition treaty do not necessarily have fugitives and then they are arrested. You need to find a fugitive first. Now, if you are arrested, you can be extradited," explained the former KPK spokesman.

"Don't ask if you haven't been arrested. You'll have to find out through Interpol first if you are caught, you can be extradited. That's even if there is an extradition treaty. If the question is a fugitive, why hasn't he been arrested? Yes, he was arrested first," said Johan.

If the two countries have signed the agreement, said Johan, then fugitives from both Indonesia and Singapore can be extradited. The point, he said, is that the fugitive must have been caught first.

"If it has been signed, it means that there is an extradition treaty between the two countries. If there are fugitives or anyone, either Singaporean or Indonesian fugitives, for example, Singaporean fugitives caught in Indonesia can be extradited. On the other hand, if there are fugitives who run to Singapore and continue to be caught, then catch them first if they haven't been caught. Yes, you can't. The point is that you can catch him first and then you can be extradited," said Johan.