Police to Work with ASEAN Countries to Catch Graft Fugitives

Jakarta. The National Police recently unveiled its plan for a “police-to-police” scheme with several ASEAN countries to help hunt down Indonesia’s graft fugitives hiding overseas, including bribery suspect Harun Masiku who is still at large.
“We are working on a partnership with a number of countries in ASEAN to make the search easier with a police-to-police scheme,” National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo told a press briefing on Tuesday.
According to Listyo, the National Police are approaching several ASEAN countries for collaboration under the scheme but he did not mention which countries Indonesia would be teaming up with to track down its fugitives.
“Hopefully, this can assist the arrest of the fugitives that are outside Indonesia, particularly in countries with whom we can establish a police-to-police cooperation,” Listyo said.
Anti-graft commission KPK told the same presser that it had caught 17 out of its 21 graft fugitives. Four, including Harun Masiku, are still on the run. KPK chief Firli Bahuri said name changes have hampered the search efforts.
“Arresting a person must be based on law. It turns out that when we make an arrest attempt, the person in question would have changed his name. So if he was originally called PT, his name had already been changed to TPT,” Firli said, alluding to Paulus Tannos, who became a graft suspect in the national electronic identity (e-ID) card case.
“But we will never give up, as we are already aware of PT changing his name to TPT," he said.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that the G20 under Indonesia’s presidency had agreed on making corruption eradication a priority. Indonesia will also strengthen its commitment against corruption as it chairs ASEAN this year.
“As ASEAN chair, Indonesia will strengthen its commitment to corruption eradication and law enforcement in the region,” Jokowi told reporters, while pledging that he would not tolerate any corruption perpetrators.
The aforementioned four graft fugitives are Harun Masiku, Ricky Ham Pagawak, Kirana Kotama, and Paulus Tannos.
KPK put Harun on its wanted list in 2020. The anti-graft body accused the politician of bribing General Elections Commission (KPU) commissioner Wahyu Setiawan in exchange for a seat in the House of Representatives.
Central Mamberamo regent Ricky became a suspect for money laundering and graft involving infrastructure projects in his government. He joined the wanted list in July 2022.
Perusa Sejati owner Perusa Sejati Kirana joined KPK’s wanted list in 2017 under suspicion of graft in procurement with the state-owned shipbuilder PAL.
Paulus, the president director of smart card printing firm Sandipala Arthaputra, has stayed on KPK’s wanted list since 2021. He was named a suspect in the e-ID card scandal which took place from 2011 to 2013. KPK earlier this year revealed that it could have caught Paulus in ASEAN member state Thailand. Paulus' Interpol red notice, however, came too late because he had already changed his name to Thian Po Tjhin (TPT) and thus got away.
The press briefing came after the release of a report on Indonesia’s corruption perceptions index (CPI) by Transparency International. Indonesia’s CPI score fell from 38 in 2021 to 34 last year. This index ranks 180 countries and territories worldwide by their perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Indonesia ranks 110th out of 180 countries.
Read More:
Tags: Keywords:Related Articles
It Can Be Hard for ASEAN to Set Common Negotiation Plan on US Tariffs
An economist says that each ASEAN member is at a different stage of development, making a common US tariff negotiation plan impossible.“They Target Our Families”: Ex-KPK Official Details Terror Tactics Used by the Powerful
Yudi Purnomo warns of rising threats against KPK officers, urging protection as Prabowo acknowledges dangers in anti-graft fight.Eight Named in Bribery Case Over Foreign Work Permits at Manpower Ministry
Under Indonesian law, foreign nationals working in the country are required to obtain work permits issued by the Manpower Ministry.KPK Investigator Says Ex-Chief Firli Foiled Arrest of Hasto and Fugitive Harun
KPK witness says ex-chairman Firli Bahuri leaked 2020 sting, derailing arrests of PDIP's Hasto Kristiyanto and fugitive Harun Masiku.KPK Defends Slow Progress in Bank Indonesia CSR Graft Probe
KPK cites complexity in Bank Indonesia CSR graft probe after public criticism, says suspects will be named once evidence is sufficient.KPK Asserts Authority Over SOE Corruption Despite New Law
KPK affirms it can still probe SOE directors for graft, saying losses in BUMNs count as state losses under anti-corruption laws.Indonesia, South Korea Launch Joint Probe into Cirebon Power Plant Bribery Scandal
KPK and South Korean prosecutors probe bribery tied to the Cirebon-2 power plant, with Hyundai exec and local tycoon named as suspects.Indonesia Earmarks $44 Billion for Education, But Some Schools Only Have One Toilet
“Where did all the money go?”, asks Prabowo as Indonesia celebrates the National Education Day.Four Months In, KPK Still Probing Central Bank CSR Graft with No Suspects Named
KPK continues probing Bank Indonesia CSR fund misuse involving lawmakers’ foundations. No suspects yet, but indications of corruption emergeTimor-Leste Honors Indonesian Police Chief for Supporting Democracy and Stability
Indonesian Police Chief Listyo Sigit and four senior officers received top honors from Timor-Leste for strengthening bilateral relations.The Latest
At Least 60 Killed in Israeli Strikes as Gaza Aid Remains Scarce
At least 60 killed in Gaza strikes as Israel allows limited aid amid global pressure and UN warnings of looming famine.Benzoin Resin Touted as Next Big Commodity in Indonesia’s Downstream Strategy
Luhut Pandjaitan says benzoin resin, or kemenyan, holds untapped potential for Indonesia’s downstream strategy and rural economic growth.Trump Threatens 50% Tariffs on EU, 25% on Apple iPhones Made Abroad
Trump threatens 50% tariffs on EU goods and 25% on Apple products unless iPhones are made in the US, escalating his trade war.Minister Shuts Down Tangerang Steel Plant Over Toxic Smoke Emissions
The facility, operated by Power Steel Mandiri in the Cikupa Industrial Complex, was found to be emitting hazardous air pollutants.Shell’s Exit from Indonesia Fuel Retail Not a Sign of Energy Sector Decline, Says Minister
Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia says Shell’s sale of Indonesian fuel stations is a normal business move, not a worsening energy sector.Most Popular
