Indonesia, Singapore sign major defence, extradition agreements

Jakarta: Indonesia and Singapore on Tuesday signed a series of agreements covering extradition, defense and airspace management, in what is seen as a “major step” in relations between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

The deals were signed by senior cabinet ministers after a meeting between President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Indonesia’s Bintan Island as part of their annual leader’s retreat.

“Today, our bilateral relations take a big step forward,” Li said during a joint press statement broadcast on Indonesia’s State Secretariat YouTube channel.

The two countries agreed to realign the boundary of their flight information areas, further strengthening cooperation and promoting closer liaison between their armed forces through the Defense Cooperation Agreement.

“Going forward, we expect cooperation in law enforcement, aviation security, as well as the defense and security of the two countries, based on the principle of mutual benefit, to continue to strengthen,” Widodo said.

Fitri Bintang, a researcher at the Center for Strategic International Studies in Jakarta, told Arab News that today’s milestones are “signs of a mature relationship” between Indonesia and Singapore.

The two countries also struck an extradition agreement, under which they can allow the extradition of fugitives for a broad list of crimes they have committed up to 18 years ago.

“The extradition treaty will enhance cooperation in combating crime and send a clear, positive signal to investors,” Lee said.

Indonesian Law and Human Rights Minister Yasona Laoli said in a statement that the extradition treaty would serve as a deterrent to criminals in Indonesia and Singapore.

“If both countries ratify the extradition treaty soon, the law enforcement agencies of both countries can use this treaty to prevent and combat international crimes such as corruption and terrorism,” he said.

Indonesia has already signed similar treaties with other countries in the region, including Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and China.

Indonesia and Singapore must now end their respective domestic procedures for ratifying and implementing the agreements, which the three agreements specifically agree to have to be in place together.