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CNA
36 minutes ago
- Business
- CNA
Day 1 of hearing of businessman wanted by Indonesia centres on evidence submitted after deadline
Day One of a hearing involving the possible extradition of a businessman to Indonesia centred on evidence being submitted after the stipulated deadline. More than 100 pages including witness statements from Indonesia are under scrutiny. Paulus Tannos, a Singapore Permanent Resident, is wanted by the Indonesian authorities for his alleged involvement in an electronic ID card project that is said to have caused losses of around 2.3 trillion rupiah or roughly S$180 million. Nasyrah Rohim has more.
Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Indonesian graft suspect Paulus Tannos faces Singapore extradition hearing in first case under new treaty
SINGAPORE, June 23 — An Indonesian businessman accused of corruption appeared in a Singapore court today for an extradition hearing, the first under the Republic's treaty with Indonesia. The proceedings will determine whether Paulus Tannos, also known as Tjhin Thian Po, should be sent back to Indonesia to face a graft charge linked to a major national identity card project, according to a report published in The Straits Times today. Tannos has been implicated in the e-KTP scandal, which allegedly caused losses of around 2.3 trillion rupiah (RM621 million) to the Indonesian state. In his opening statement, Deputy Solicitor-General Vincent Leow said the State would rely on evidence provided by Indonesian authorities and clarified that the hearing only needs to establish that the offence, if committed in Singapore, would justify a trial. Tannos, the former president and director of PT Sandipala Arthaputra, is accused of paying bribes to Indonesian Home Ministry officials and lawmakers to secure the 2011 e-KTP project tender through the PNRI Consortium. According to prosecutors, the consortium paid 'commitment fees' amounting to 10 per cent of the project's value, with Tannos allegedly paying US$530,000 to a Home Ministry officer and nearly US$3.8 million to former politician Setya Novanto via an associate. The Indonesian authorities claim the bribes influenced the decision-making process, enabling the consortium to win the tender through corrupt means. Chief Special Investigator Alvin Tang from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) testified on how Tannos was arrested and brought to court. Defence lawyer Bachoo Mohan Singh objected to late additions of about 100 pages in Indonesia's formal extradition request, arguing they should be excluded. Another lawyer, Suang Wijaya, challenged the authenticity of Indonesian documents, including an English translation of the arrest warrant that lacked an official stamp. The hearing, which continues until June 25, comes after Tannos' January arrest in Singapore and a formal extradition request submitted by Indonesia on February 24. Tannos has been listed as a fugitive by Indonesia since October 19, 2021. Singapore's extradition treaty with Indonesia came into effect on March 21, 2024, covering offences such as corruption, bribery and money laundering, and applies to crimes committed up to 18 years prior.
The Star
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Extradition hearing for Indonesian businessman Tannos begins in Singapore
Indonesian Paulus Tannos, also known as Tjhin Thian Po, was arrested in Singapore on Jan 17. - SCREENGRAB FROM SINGAPORE: A court hearing is taking place here that will determine whether an Indonesian businessman in a high-profile corruption case will be extradited to his home country. The hearing on Monday (June 23) regarding Paulus Tannos, also known as Tjhin Thian Po, is Singapore's first such proceeding under its extradition treaty with Indonesia. Tannos has been implicated in a major graft scandal involving the Indonesian government's issuing of electronic ID card – known as e-KTP – allegedly causing state losses of about 2.3 trillion rupiah (S$187 million). The Indonesian fugitive, who is believed to have been living in Singapore since 2017, faces one charge of corruption under Indonesia law which is punishable with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The crux of the hearing is to determine whether there is enough evidence to support the corruption charge Tannos is facing, so he can be sent back to Indonesia. In extradition hearings, the State does not have to prove the fugitive's guilt or secure a conviction. It only has to show that there is enough evidence for the fugitive to face trial if his acts had taken place in Singapore. Delivering the State's opening statement, Deputy Solicitor-General Vincent Leow said the State would rely on evidence submitted by Indonesian authorities. Tannos was the president and director of technology company PT Sandipala Arthaputra, which was a member of the PNRI Consortium – a grouping of companies that won the e-KTP tender in 2011. DSG Leow said under the alleged corruption scheme, the consortium paid 'commitment fees' to officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Indonesia (MOHA), which was responsible for the e-KTP tender. Bribes were also allegedly given to members of the House of Representatives of Indonesia, otherwise known as DPR-RI, who appropriated and allocated the government's budget for the project. The gratification amounted to 10 per cent of the total project value, split equally amongst MOHA officials and DPR-RI. According to Indonesian authorities, Tannos eventually paid US$530,000 to a MOHA officer and approximately US$3,799,842 to former Indonesian politician Setya Novanto through the latter's associate. 'The Indonesian authorities' position is that the payment of these 'commitment fees' resulted in the manipulation of the decision-making process regarding the e-KTP project and tender, and that the PNRI Consortium won the tender through unlawful methods,' said DSG Leow. Chief Special Investigator Alvin Tang of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) – the State's only witness – took the stand to give evidence on how he arrested Tannos and brought him to the State Courts. Meanwhile, Tannos' defence lawyer Bachoo Mohan Singh argued that there were about 100 pages in the formal extradition request that were added after the stipulated deadline, and should hence be thrown out. Tannos' other defence lawyer, Suang Wijaya, also objected to the admission of documents prepared by Indonesian authorities as he said they were not 'duly authenticated'. For example, an English document said to be the translation of Tannos' arrest warrant did not have a stamp with official authorisation, said Mr Wijaya. The hearing continues till June 25. Tannos has reportedly been on Indonesia's fugitive list since Oct 19, 2021. He was arrested on Jan 17 by CPIB, and Indonesia put in a formal extradition request on Feb 24. The extradition treaty between Singapore and Indonesia took effect on March 21, 2024. It grants extradition for a list of offences, including corruption, money laundering and bribery, and can be retrospectively applied to crimes committed up to 18 years ago. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Extradition hearing starts for Indonesian businessman said to have bribed officials
Indonesian Paulus Tannos, also known as Tjhin Thian Po, was arrested in Singapore on Jan 17. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM Extradition hearing starts for Indonesian businessman said to have bribed officials SINGAPORE – A court hearing is taking place here that will determine whether an Indonesian businessman in a high-profile corruption case will be extradited to his home country. The hearing on June 23 regarding Paulus Tannos, also known as Tjhin Thian Po, is Singapore's first such proceeding under its extradition treaty with Indonesia. Tannos has been implicated in a major graft scandal involving the Indonesian government's issuing of electronic ID card – known as e-KTP – allegedly causing state losses of about 2.3 trillion rupiah (S$187 million). The Indonesian fugitive, who is believed to have been living in Singapore since 2017, faces one charge of corruption under Indonesia law which is punishable with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The crux of the hearing is to determine whethe r there is enough evidence to support the corruption charge Tannos is facing, so he can be sent back to Indonesia. In extradition hearings, the State does not have to prove the fugitive's guilt or secure a conviction. It only has to show that there is enough evidence for the fugitive to face trial if his acts had taken place in Singapore. Delivering the State's opening statement, Deputy Solicitor-General Vincent Leow said the State would rely on evidence submitted by Indonesian authorities. Tannos was the president and director of technology company PT Sandipala Arthaputra, which was a member of the PNRI Consortium – a grouping of companies that won the e-KTP tender in 2011. DSG Leow said under the alleged corruption scheme, the consortium paid 'commitment fees' to officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Indonesia (MOHA), which was responsible for the e-KTP tender. Bribes were also allegedly given to members of the House of Representatives of Indonesia, otherwise known as DPR-RI, who appropriated and allocated the government's budget for the project. The gratification amounted to 10 per cent of the total project value, split equally amongst MOHA officials and DPR-RI. According to Indonesian authorities, Tannos eventually paid US$530,000 to a MOHA officer and approximately US$3,799,842 to former Indonesian politician Setya Novanto through the latter's associate. 'The Indonesian authorities' position is that the payment of these 'commitment fees' resulted in the manipulation of the decision-making process regarding the e-KTP project and tender, and that the PNRI Consortium won the tender through unlawful methods,' said DSG Leow. Chief Special Investigator Alvin Tang of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) – the State's only witness – took the stand to give evidence on how he arrested Tannos and brought him to the State Courts. Meanwhile, Tannos' defence lawyer Bachoo Mohan Singh argued that there were about 100 pages in the formal extradition request that were added after the stipulated deadline, and should hence be thrown out. Tannos' other defence lawyer, Mr Suang Wijaya, also objected to the admission of documents prepared by Indonesian authorities as he said they were not 'duly authenticated'. For example, an English document said to be the translation of Tannos' arrest warrant did not have a stamp with official authorisation, said Mr Wijaya. The hearing continues till June 25. Tannos has reportedly been on Indonesia's fugitive list since Oct 19, 2021. He was arrested on Jan 17 by CPIB, and Indonesia put in a formal extradition request on Feb 24. The extradition treaty between Singapore and Indonesia took effect on March 21, 2024. It grants extradition for a list of offences, including corruption, money laundering and bribery, and can be retrospectively applied to crimes committed up to 18 years ago. Christine Tan is a journalist at The Straits Times reporting on crime, justice and social issues in Singapore. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
10 hours ago
- Politics
- CNA
Indonesian fugitive Paulus Tannos contests extradition in Singapore's State Courts
SINGAPORE: The hearing into the extradition of Indonesian fugitive Paulus Tannos began at the State Courts on Monday (Jun 23) with Tannos' lawyers objecting to the admission of certain documents. Tannos, a Singapore permanent resident, is wanted by the Indonesian authorities for his role in a corruption case linked to the Indonesian government's electronic ID card project that is said to have caused the state about 2.3 trillion rupiah (US$140 million) in losses. Also known as Tjhin Thian Po, he appeared at the dock dressed in a white shirt as the case proceeded. The 70-year-old holds a diplomatic passport from West African country Guinea-Bissau and has been living in Singapore since 2017. He was arrested by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on Jan 17 and has remained in remand after his application for bail was rejected. Before the current committal hearing, Tannos was repeatedly asked by the court if he wished to consent to his surrender to Indonesia. He repeatedly declined to be surrendered. Since he did not consent to his surrender to Indonesia, a committal hearing was fixed for Jun 23 to 25, where the court will hear evidence to determine whether he is liable to be surrendered to Indonesia under the Extradition Act and Extradition Treaty. The court will consider the evidence presented, including the formal extradition documents provided by Indonesia, as well as Tannos' own evidence. START OF HEARING Tannos is represented by lawyers Bachoo Mohan Singh from BMS Law, as well as Suang Wijaya and Hamza Malik from Eugene Thuraisingam, while the Singapore authorities are represented by State Counsels Vincent Leow, Sivakumar Ramasamy, Sarah Siaw and Emily Zhao from the Attorney-General's Chambers. The state counsels will argue that Tannos is liable to be surrendered and his extradition is not prohibited. They said on Monday that Tannos is wanted by Indonesia to stand trial on one charge of corruption. Court documents showed that the offence carries life imprisonment or a jail term of between four and 20 years and a fine. Before the first witness was called, Tanno's lawyer, Mr Singh, argued against the admission of certain documents, which were fresh affidavits from the Indonesian police. Mr Singh said these affidavits were recorded only after his client's arrest and were "manufactured". He argued that there were original documents, which comprised the formal request on his side, filed in March this year. These were a bundle of documents consisting of more than 1,600 pages tied in red ribbon as part of a formality. However, the affidavits were not part of these. These affidavits were ready in April and sent to the defence counsels only on Jun 12 this year, Mr Singh added. He also said that he wanted to raise this matter because the additional documents were put together with the original documents "without any explanation". One of his objections will also be on the quality of the evidence. Mr Singh will be arguing that the evidence is not reliable because it was taken some 15 years only after the alleged events in 2010 or 2011. Due to these inadequacies, the court should throw out the documents and not order the extradition since the documents did not comply with formal requirements, he said. Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan allowed the proceedings to continue with objections to be raised as the hearing continued. The state then called its first witness, CPIB's chief special investigator Alvin Tang, who first arrested Tannos on Jan 17 this year. Under examination by the state counsel, Mr Tang told the court that he applied for a warrant of apprehension before arresting Tannos at his residence at about 12.30pm. Mr Tang also said that in April, investigators from the Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi, which is the Corruption Eradication Commission of Indonesia, submitted supplementary affidavits the same month. Mr Suang, another of Tannos' lawyers, then objected to the series of documents being admitted on the basis that they did not comply with the requirement for overseas documents to be authenticated. For Tannos' arrest warrant, Mr Suang said the original document, in Bahasa Indonesian language, was not placed before the court. Pointing to two affidavits submitted by the Indonesian authorities, Mr Suang also highlighted "defects" in the documents that formed the basis of the defence's objections. These included how the official seals on the documents were not translated and how the signatures of the witnesses were not authenticated.
