The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Expresses The Temporary Detention Process Of Paulus Tannos In Singapore Through An Extradition Treaty

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed the temporary detention of its fugitive, Paulus Tannos, by Singaporean authorities, was carried out at the request of the National Police's International Relations Division (Divhubinter). This process is said to be in accordance with the rules of the extradition agreement.

"The provisional detention submission or provisional arrest was carried out by the KPK through a police to police route based on the extradition agreement, namely through the Interpol route in this case through the Police Headquarters Hubinter Division. We sent a request by attaching the completeness of the detention requirements," said KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardhika to VOI, Saturday, January 25.

Divhubinter Polri, continued Tessa, then wrote to Interpol Singapore. They also instructed the Indonesian police in Singapore to monitor and coordinate further.

This letter was forwarded to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) which then contacted the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) Singapore. This is because the case being handled involves allegations of corruption.

Furthermore, the Indonesian prosecutor's office in Singapore coordinated with CPIB, Attorney General Chambers, and the Singapore court. This step was taken because the detention had to go through the prosecution and court process.

"The fulfillment of detention requirements is carried out through email communication between the police attach, the prosecutor's office and investigators," explained Tessa.

After the requirements were met, the fugitive in the corruption case of the electronic identity card procurement project (e-KTP) was then temporarily detained in Singapore. This forced effort took effect for 45 days.

"(Processing, ed) until there is a court decision on January 17, 2025 for the temporary detention of PT," said the spokesman with the investigator's background.

As for the trial on January 23, reported by the newspaper The Straits Times, Paulus Tannos through his attorney claimed immunity from prosecution. He argued that he had a passport of a Guinean-Bissau diplomat who is a state in West Africa.

However, local authorities said otherwise. The diplomatic passport was not accredited by the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Previously reported, the KPK named Paulus Tannos who is the President Director of PT Sandipala Arthapura as a suspect in the corruption case in the procurement of electronic identity cards (e-KTP) in 2019.

He was announced as a suspect along with three other people, namely Isnu Edhi Wijaya as former President Director of the State Printing Corporation of the Republic of Indonesia (PNRI); 2014-2019 DPR RI member Miryam S Haryani; and former Head of the Information Technology Technical Team for the Implementation of e-KTP Husni Fahmi.

Paul then wanted and entered the wanted list (DPO) in 2021. He was almost caught but because he changed his name and passport, the effort failed.

This arrest was then successfully carried out by the Singapore Corruption Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on January 17. Even so, it has not been conveyed about the location of Paulus Tannos' arrest.

"Yes, that's right (the arrest was on January 17, ed). We were informed by the Singapore general authority, the person concerned was successfully secured by the Singapore CPIB," said the Head of the International Relations Division (Hubinter) of the National Police, Inspector General Krishna Murti to VOI, Friday, January 24.