Regarding Surya Darmadi, ICW: The Government Must Actively Communicate With Singapore

Illustration of Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW). (Antaranews)

JAKARTA - Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) assesses that active communication between Indonesia and the Singapore government must be carried out. The goal is that the fugitive from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), namely Surya Darmadi, can be returned to the country.

"Not only does it need a search by law enforcement officers, but the Indonesian government needs to actively communicate with the relevant state governments," ICW researcher Kurnia Ramadhana told reporters quoted on Wednesday, August 3.

In that communication, continued Kurnia, Indonesia could remind again about the extradition treaty that was agreed some time ago. Moreover, one point of the agreement is the issue of corruption.

"Of course, the agreement should be carried out and we also hope that the Singapore government can cooperate if the suspect (Surya Darmadi) is there," he said.

Not only that, the Indonesian government must inform Singapore if Surya Darmadi is a suspect in two corruption cases. From his actions, the state even suffered losses of up to tens of trillions of rupiah.

"This should be a consideration in Singapore to assist the law enforcement process by handing over the suspect to Indonesia," said Kurnia.

Furthermore, Kurnia believes that Surya Darmadi's search should no longer be hampered. Moreover, the KPK is no longer alone in pursuing the businessman but is assisted by the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

"For us, the search (Surya Darmadi, ed) should no longer be difficult because there has been a combined search between the KPK and the AGO," said the anti-corruption activist.

The Attorney General's Office previously named Surya Darmadi as the owner of PT Duta Palma Group as a suspect in the alleged corruption in the seizure of 37,095 hectares of land in Riau. He was named along with another suspect, Raja Thamsir Rahman who is a former regent of Indragiri Hulu.

Meanwhile at the KPK, Surya Darmadi has been named a suspect since 2019. This determination was made after investigators developed a case against former Riau Governor Annas Maamun.