Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  The governments of Indonesia and Singapore officially commenced the implementation of their extradition agreement for fugitives, effective since 21 March 2024. Minister of Law and Human Rights of  Yasonna Laoly said in a statement on Friday 29/3/2024) that it marked a significant achievement in legal cooperation and diplomacy. The agreement, the 12th of its kind for Indonesia, followed similar arrangements with Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong SAR, South Korea, China, India, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran, as reported by antaranews.com. Signed in Bintan, Riau Islands, on 25 January 2022, it was ratified through Law Number 5 of 2023. Singapore has extradition pacts with select countries, including the United States, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, and Commonwealth nations. Singapore's stature as a global economic hub influenced the decision to forge this extradition alliance. The agreement underscored both countries' commitment to legal collaboration, particularly in extraditing criminal fugitives, Minister Yasonna said. It complemented existing agreements, such as the ASEAN Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, facilitating cooperation in various legal matters like criminal investigations, testimony retrieval, and asset seizures, he added. (mg/inp/pr/nm)