JAKARTA, March 29 (Bernama-Antara): The extradition treaty between Indonesia and Singapore that entered into force on March 21, 2024, constitutes a notable and historic feat achieved through Indonesia's diplomatic measures, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly stated.
"The treaty on extradition forged by Indonesia and Singapore is a remarkable legal achievement and reflects Indonesia's historic success in diplomacy," he noted in a press release received from his office in Jakarta on Friday, reported ANTARA news agency.
He explained that the agreement is a historic achievement, as Singapore had only established similar treaties with certain entities, such as the United States, Germany, China's Hong Kong, and countries belonging to the Commonwealth of Nations.
Laoly affirmed that Indonesia indeed had to formulate an extradition treaty with Singapore since the latter has emerged as one of the most prominent economic centres in the world.
The treaty, inked in Bintan District, Riau Islands Province, on January 25, 2022, has been passed by Indonesia with Law No. 5 of 2023 concerning the ratification of the treaty on extradition between the Indonesian and Singaporean governments.
For Indonesia, the treaty is the 13th applicable extradition agreement following treaties forged with Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, China, China's Hong Kong, South Korea, India, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran.
The minister further noted that the extradition treaty complemented and perfected the commitments of the two neighbouring nations to legal cooperation and would facilitate them to mutually extradite criminal fugitives.
He also underlined that Indonesia and Singapore had been referring to the ASEAN Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in implementing various forms of legal cooperation, including those related to the search for criminals and confiscation of criminal assets. - Bernama-Antara
