MFA Spokesman’s Comments in response to media queries referring to an article carried in Indonesian newspaper Suara Pembaruan published on 9 October 2012

MFA has received media queries referring to an article carried in Indonesian newspaper Suara Pembaruan published on 9 October 2012 titled "People's Consultative Assembly Pushes for Negotiations on Indonesia-Singapore Extradition Treaty". When asked about this report, the MFA Spokesman said:

“We have seen this article and issued a clarification. The newspaper did not carry our reply in full. The text of our clarification is as follows:

The article stated that ‘Singapore Foreign Minister Shanmugam agreed to renegotiate the extradition issue with Indonesia’. This is incorrect.

The topic of the Extradition Treaty was discussed during the lunch meeting between Minister Shanmugam and parliamentarians from the People’s Consultative Assembly on 9 October 2012. Minister Shanmugam informed the parliamentarians that the Extradition Treaty and the Defence Cooperation Agreement had already been negotiated and agreed as a package. Singapore is ready to proceed with both agreements once Indonesia is ready to do so.

The Parliamentarians acknowledged that the matter has to be sorted out in Indonesia. They explained that due to the parliamentary and democratic process in Indonesia, the approval for the agreements had not been given as yet.

The discussions ended with everyone acknowledging that Indonesia and Singapore must work to enhance the relationship further.”

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
15 OCTOBER 2012