We can says NO to Indonesia's request to "return" their citizens to face judgements or questionings. After some time, these fugitive Indonesians became Singaporeans and MFA can says, "These people are Singaporeans", a good example is Agus Anwar, a suspect involved over $US214 million that's unaccounted for from Bank Pelita; stolen through corruption. Some people may argue that Indonesia is corrupted and they deserve it through their lax control domestically. But Singapore as member of ASEAN and so called "good friend" of Indonesia do that to a friend?
Yesterday, former SM Jayakumar launched his book "Diplomacy - A Singapore Experience" reflecting his experience as Singapore's foreign minister. The baton was passed to George Yeo. so did George Yeo just parrot what Prof Jayakumar had done (or PAP Team speak from Mr LYK?)
I noted a interesting paragraph from the CNA report:
"Turning to ties with Indonesia, prof Jayakumar noted the "warm rapport" between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.".
Will a good neighbor return a stolen chicken by a neighbor's worker? Even a good neighbor wanted to shelter the thief worker, then rightfully the stolen chicken should be returned.
Will vote for George Yeo if he ever stood for election? Definitely no, the people in Aljunied had already spoken.
Indonesian-born Mr Agus, now in his late 50s, moved here in 2000 to start afresh amid the fallout from the 1997 financial crisis, which hit Indonesia hard.
He became a Singapore citizen in 2004 - the year news reports quoted Indonesian officials as saying that he owed the Indonesian government 3.2 trillion rupiah.
The money, equivalent to $633 million at the time, was said to have been used to bail out two of his Indonesian-based banks which collapsed as a result of the 1997 crisis.
The banks, Bank Istimarat and Bank Pelita, are now defunct. According to the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), Bank Istimarat and Bank Pelita misused the Indonesian government's emergency loan. (Source:AsiaOne)
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy chief Haryono Umar said Sunday the witness status of former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin, currently in Singapore, makes it difficult to arrange legal efforts for bringing him back to Indonesia.
“Nazaruddin is still a witness. When his status turns to suspect there will be legal processes against him,” he said Sunday, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.
Nazaruddin was allegedly involved in a SEA Games athlete dormitory construction bribery case. He also allegedly attempted to bribe Constitutional Court secretary general Djanedri M Gaffar.
Nazaruddin has been in Singapore for the last two weeks, saying he needed a medical check-up. He left for Singapore a day before the KPK requested the Immigration Office issue a ban on him traveling abroad.
Haryono said the KPK will concentrate on collecting information from three suspects arrested over the SEA Games dormitory construction: Youth and Sports Ministry secretary Wafid Muharam, PT Anak Negeri Marketing Director Mindo Rosalina Manulang and PT Duta Graha Indah Marketing Manager Muhammad El Idris.
“We are focusing on these three now,” he said. The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Yeah, but what if the good chicken tries to escape the cooking pot and we are forced to return it? Works two ways...
ReplyDeleteCertainly says a lot on ICA's background check on individuals. Perhaps they already cleared him of wrong doing or qualify him based on stringent wealth checks
ReplyDeleteI think you are chirping up the wrong tree. Why did Indonesia allow the chicken thief to leave the country in the first place? Are they serious about curbing corruption? How about imposing very heavy penalty on those found guilty - which is very much within their power and purview.
ReplyDeleteInstead, they let the thief out, and then blame Singapore for harbouring. Fine. Assume the extradition treaty with Singapore is signed. Then what. Those chicken thieves will then flee to Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bahamas, Bermuda, UK, US, wherever. Is Indonesia going to sign treaties with the whole world. Come off it. Just deal with corruption internally. Put a stop to it.
Dear Trebuchet,
ReplyDeleteIf chicken is honest and remain to lay eggs in Indonesia, it does not worry about being forced to return to Indonesia.
They can't force Singapore to return the naughty chicken because no extraditing treaty between because Singapore is dragging her feet on this. So much for treating a friend this way....
Phare
Why are we still going after the Romanian dilpomat that we let out (the one who was allegedly was involved in a hit and run)? Or are we still going after him?
ReplyDeleteWhy did we allow the chicken diplomat to leave our country in the first place? Are we serious about protecting our citzens?
Are WE barking up the wrong tree?
Maybe Indonesia will have to sign Extradition Treaty with the whole world, but without one with Singapore, we are benefitting enormously when these people are made citizens and the funds remain here, untouchable by the Indon government.If they want the treaty they must pay by allowing us free use of their air and sea space. Tit for Tat?
ReplyDeleteSaycheese