National

Indonesian and Singaporean Talks Regarding Extradition Issues
Tuesday, 09 November, 2004 | 14:07 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Following the talks between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the president’s office in Jakarta on Monday (08/11), Singapore might not be a good hiding place for Indonesian corruptors and fugitives because Indonesian laws might perhaps be able to be imposed on these people in Singapore.


“We both agreed to be active in finding proper and fair solutions to certain important issues,” said Yudhoyono in a joint statement made with Singaporean PM Lee after the meeting.

The president said he considered the extradition issue to be an important matter that had to be solved carefully.

According to Yudhoyono, both he and PM Lee have also agreed to improve consultation and cooperation within the scope of ASEAN, including cooperation in matters of security, economy, social and culture.

The president also said he hoped for the immediate establishment of a Joint Cooperation Council.

“Through this Council, we will able to discuss and find solutions regarding bilateral problems involving the two countries,” said Yudhoyono.

According to the president, both leaders also discussed possibilities for cooperation between the two countries particularly in the matters of trade and investment, tourism technology development, trans-national crime settlements, terrorism eradication and development of the Malacca Strait.

“We are also interested to develop cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises in both countries, particularly in sharing information and conducting training sessions,” said Yudhoyono

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong emphasized the position of Indonesia as the biggest, closest and the most important neighboring country for Singapore.

Lee also explained that he had made several cooperative agreements with President Yudhoyono, particularly as regards development of the tourism sector.

This is related to the increasing number of tourist traffic between ASEAN countries.

“I feel that oint advertisements featuring both countries will result in win-win solutions,” Lee stated.

He also emphasized the need for both Indonesia and Singapore to make an agreement on investment guarantees.

Based on this agreement, Lee said, both countries would be obliged to guarantee and protect investments in the two countries.

“Singapore already has this kind of agreement with other countries. I think Indonesia should have it too with other countries,” he added.

According to Lee, both countries should always try to solve their bilateral problems rationally and in a mutually beneficial manner, without too much publicity.

He also said that the settlement of problems through the mass media would only complicate problems and confuse prospective investors.

Related ministers from both countries shall follow up on the result of this meeting.

Every three months, the results of these follow-up meetings shall be reported to PM Lee and President Yudhoyono. (Sapto Pradityo-Tempo News Room)