The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) ratified the bill concerning the agreement between Indonesia and Singapore on the extradition of fugitives to become a law here on Thursday.

“Can the Bill regarding the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of Indonesia and the Government of Singapore on the Extradition of Fugitives be approved into a law?” House Speaker Puan Maharani stated at a plenary session at the Parliamentary Complex.

To this end, all members and representatives of factions attending the session answered in agreement.

A member of Commission III of the House, Pangeran Khairul Saleh, noted in his statement that his side assessed that the ratification of the bill was important to bolster the effectiveness of Indonesia’s law enforcement and criminal justice systems.

His commission is in charge for law, human rights, and security issues.

In addition, the bill facilitates a more comprehensive international cooperation on law issues with other countries, particularly with Singapore in this case, Saleh noted.

“Which (the bill) later can strengthen the mutually respectful and beneficial bilateral relations between the two countries,” he remarked.

Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly expected that the passing of the bill will become a legal basis for the Indonesian government in implementing the agreement that provides legal certainty for the two countries in conducting the extradition.

He noted that close bilateral relations between Indonesia and Singapore are supported by geographical aspects, convenient connectivity, as well as Singapore’s important regional role in Southeast Asia.

Laoly said there are several factors that encourage high mobility and interaction of people between the two countries, thereby also raising the likelihood of law enforcement problems.

Hence, the minister deemed it necessary to make an agreement between the two countries on the extradition of criminal perpetrators.

Moreover, he said that Singapore was often the final or transit destination for perpetrators attempting to hide before being sentenced since it was located directly adjacent to the Indonesian territory.

In addition, the Indonesian government imposed a visa-free policy on Singapore, he stated.

“The extradition cooperation will make it easier for (the Indonesian) law enforcement officials to resolve criminal cases committed by the perpetrators, who are attempting to (get away to) Singapore,” Laoly remarked.

He said that the ratification was a follow-up to the agreement signed by the two countries on January 25, 2022, in Bintan, Riau Islands Province.

He noted that the agreement regulated the approval to conduct extradition, determination of which criminal acts can be extradited, backgrounds for extradition, mandatory exceptions to extradition, requests and supporting documents, as well as arrangements on handover of the perpetrators.

Source: Antara News