Indonesia-Singapore relations are getting stronger. The two countries signed several strategic agreements: extradition treaties, airspace management and defense cooperation.
By
Kompas Team
·4 minutes read
BPMI Sekretariat Presiden
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Joko Widodo gave a joint statement after the Leaders' Retreat in Bintan, Riau Islands, Tuesday (25/1/2022).
TANJUNG PINANG, KOMPAS — Graft suspects can no longer run away or store assets gained from their corruption activities in Singapore. Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H Laoly signed an extradition treaty between Indonesia and Singapore in Bintan, Riau Islands, on Tuesday (25/1/2022). This agreement aims to prevent and eradicate cross-border criminal acts, such as corruption, narcotics and terrorism.
The deal is one of three strategic agreements reached by the two countries; the two others concern air space services or flight information region (FIR) and defense cooperation.
The agreements were signed in the presence of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Sanchaya Resort Bintan, Riau Islands. The Singaporean PM took a speed boat from Singapore to Bandar Bentan Telani, Bintan, a ferry terminal prepared for the Indonesia-Singapore bubble travel.
Yasonna said that through the extradition treaty, the two countries agreed to extradite any individual found to be in the territory of the requested country and sought by the requesting country for prosecution, trial or execution of sentences for extraditable crimes.
"This extradition agreement is expected to create a deterrent effect for criminals in Indonesia and Singapore," he said.
In a joint statement, President Jokowi explained that in the extradition agreement, the retroactive extradition period was extended from 15 years to 18 years in accordance with Article 78 of the Criminal Code. PM Lee said this agreement promoted law enforcement and the eradication of crime.
According to Lee, the extradition treaty has had a good impact on both countries.
"This agreement enhances cooperation in eradicating crime and gives a clear signal to investors," he said.
KOMPAS/PANDU WIYOGA
Seven F-16 fighter aircraft from the 11th Air Squadron of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) pass in arrow formation over Batam City, Riau Islands, Tuesday (12/10/2021). This is to commemorate 40 years of friendly relations between the Indonesian Air Force and the RSAF.
FIR
In addition to extradition, a number of old issues in Indonesia-Singapore relations have finally been resolved, namely the management of Riau Islands' airspace.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi explained that the agreement regarding FIR was reached after years of meetings and negotiations.
"This is a historic day for Indonesia. We have succeeded in carrying out the mandate of Law No. 1/2009 on aviation. This is evidence of the seriousness of the Indonesian government," said the transportation minister.
After this agreement, the government will continue the process of adjusting the FIR for Jakarta, which will be prepared with Singapore and then reported to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
For the sake of aviation safety, Indonesia still delegates less than a third of its air space (29 percent) around Singapore to the Singapore Aviation Navigation Authority on a limited basis.
"Especially for traffic in and out of Changi Airport," said Budi.
Regarding defense, the two countries signed a defense cooperation agreement and the regulation of areas for military training.
PM Lee said the meeting in Bintan showed that the cooperation between the two countries continued in all situations.
"The signing of these agreements shows the strength and maturity of Singapore-Indonesia relations," he said.
BPMI Sekretariat Presiden
President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong lead their delegation in a bilateral meeting in Bintan, Riau Islands, Tuesday (25/1/2022). At least ten collaborations were agreed at the meeting.
According to Lee, the three strategic issues have been on the bilateral agenda for decades.
"When implemented, FIR cooperation will fulfill the interests of both countries and the security and efficiency of air traffic and comply with ICAO rules," he said.
Lee said the deals were beneficial for both countries and would create the foundation for advancing bilateral relations.
President Jokowi echoed his sentiments.
“It is time for PM Lee and I to sit back and discuss efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation. This year is also the 55th anniversary of Indonesia-Singapore diplomatic relations," he said.
Nurul Ghufron, the deputy chairperson of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), said the KPK supported the Indonesia-Singapore extradition agreement as it progressed efforts to eradicate corruption in Indonesia.
That way, the agreement will not only be on paper, but there will be implementation
The coordinator of the Indonesian Anticorruption Society (MAKI), Boyamin Saiman, hopes the extradition agreement will not only serve as a "paper tiger".
"There needs to be the repatriation of people who have committed crimes who are now in Singapore to Indonesia. That way, the agreement will not only be on paper, but there will be implementation," he said.
With the extradition treaty, money laundering expert Yenti Garnasih encouraged efforts to trace assets gained from crimes. (BOW/ANA/INA/RAZ/ RYO/NDU/SYA)
/https%3A%2F%2Fasset.kgnewsroom.com%2Fphoto%2Fpre%2F2021%2F10%2F12%2F69005b81-9896-4932-906d-24cadca5d887_jpg.jpg){kind=logo}
