Tuesday, 2 July 2013

EXTRADITION TREATY BETWEEN INDONESIA AND SINGAPORE SHOULD BE SETTLED IMMEDIATELY




Chairman of the House of Representatives, Marzuki Alie, said that the relationship between Indonesia and Singapore has been going on relatively smoothly in many sectors. For example, in treatment of Indonesian migrant workers (TKI), protection given by the Singaporean government is quite good, and it is expected that at will continually improve in the future. And, trade and investment relationship of this neighboring countries is recorded to be the best, and also in the provision of scholarship to Indonesian student. This was stated by Marzuki Alie, when receiving honorable visit of the Singaporean Ambassador to Indonesia, Anil Kumar Nayar at the House of Representative Building.

Yet however, the good relationship is hampered by unavailability of extradition treaty. This is important as corruption in Indonesia is still rampant. According to him, many of Indonesian corruptors flee to Singapore, and it is easy to become a citizen of Singapore. Therefore he demanded so that extradition treaty can immediately be settled.

Regarding defense treaty, Chairman of the House of Representatives expected it not to be made one package with extradition treaty. Defense treaty is important in the framework of increasing defense quality and regional stability, but it should not be related to extradition.

Responding to this matter, Singaporean Ambassador to Indonesia, Anil Kumar Nayar, said that he will convey this matter to the Singaporean government.

War Against Corruption

Marzuki Alie expected the public to act fairly in evaluating performance of the legislative institution chaired by him. Even though there are some members who are involved in graft cases, it does not mean that the House of Representatives is a corrupt institution.

Institutionally, the House of Representatives is conducting war against corruption. As a form of this commitment, the House of Representatives established National Chapter Indonesia, so that the House of Representatives will become partner of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) and the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC).

He reminded that one of the proofs of the House of Representatives support to corruption eradication is the birth of legislative products causing implementation of corruption eradication Indonesia. The Indonesian Parliament has ratified 80 percent of United Nations (UN) Anti Corruption Convention. On the other land, he admitted that Indonesia Corruption Perception Index of 2012 is low or occupying the 118th position out of 176 countries surveyed.

This condition becomes a concern as well as stimulator to members of the House of Representatives to be more active in the prevention and eradication of corruption in Indonesia. Moreover, corruption is no longer a local problem, but has become a transnational phenomena, and even has become an international illegal syndication pattern.

Therefore, involvement of the House of Representatives in the National Chapter Indonesia which is a part of GOPAC and SEAPAC is considered necessary. The international cooperation is required to become a forum for exchanged of experience and information as well as prevention and eradication of corruption.

The House of Representatives fully supports the establishment of National Chapter Indonesia which becomes part of GOPAC and SEAPAC to be chaired by Pramono Agung Wibowo, Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives for Industry and Development Coordinator. (E)

Business News - December 26, 2012

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