Coordinating Minister Yusril: Paulus Tannos' Extradition Process Is Not Final

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction Yusril Ihza Mahendra (ANTARA/Fath Putra Mulya)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said that the extradition process for fugitives in corruption cases in the procurement of Paulus Tannos' electronic ID cards in Singapore was not final.

"Until today, the extradition process against Tannos has not been final," said Yusril as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 2.

According to Yusril, the extradition process will take quite a long time. This is because the decision from the Singaporean authorities can still be submitted to the appeal level to the cassation level, both by the Indonesian government and Paulus Tannos himself.

He explained that the extradition process was different from the mutual legal assistance (MLA) mechanism and coordination between the police. The extradition mechanism was chosen because Indonesia had signed an extradition agreement with Singapore.

"If we ask, for example, the MLA for cooperation to police cooperation may be faster, but because of extradition the story will be long. And there may also be a difference over citizenship status, but the government has decided that he (Paulus Tannos) is an Indonesian citizen," said Yusril.

The Coordinating Minister also emphasized that extradition is under the authority of the state so that Paulus Tannos cannot evade if Singapore later grants an extradition request from the Indonesian government.

"Extradition is the authority of the state, so if Singapore grants extradition, it will be forced to extradition here. He can't say he doesn't want to," Yusril explained.

Previously, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Singapore revealed that a preliminary hearing in the first instance court or a limited hearing on the extradition of Paulus Tannos alias Thian Po Tjhin began in Singapore's district court, Monday (23/6).

The Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Suryopratomo, through a written statement, conveyed that the preliminary trial led by Judge Luke Tan District lasted for three days or until Wednesday (25/6).

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Setyo Budiyanto said there was still a follow-up trial to extradite Paulus Tannos. The follow-up trial was determined by the judge in the preliminary hearing.

"The development of Paulus Tannos on June 25, the judge has decided or determined that there will be a next trial process," explained Setyo when met at the KPK Anti-Corruption Education Center Building, Jakarta, Thursday (26/6).

Paulus Tannos is a fugitive in the corruption case of the electronic identity card procurement project (KTP-e) handled by the KPK and on the wanted list since October 19, 2021.

On January 17, 2025, Tannos was arrested by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) which has competence and authority in handling corruption in Singapore.

Then, on February 22, 2025, the Indonesian government submitted a request for Tannos extradition to Singapore. This extradition is the first case after the Indonesian government signed a joint agreement with the Singapore government.