Jakarta. Indonesian authorities have renewed efforts to bring home fugitive corruption suspect Paulus Tannos after a court in Singapore rejected his application to block extradition proceedings.

Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said on Friday that the ruling marked an important development in Indonesia’s cross-border law enforcement efforts and further cleared the way for an extradition process that has been underway for more than a year.

“With this ruling, the KPK hopes that the extradition process for Paulus Tannos can be completed soon so that he can be brought to Indonesia to face legal proceedings in the case we are handling,” Budi said in a statement.

“For years, Paulus Tannos has been on the wanted list, and his presence overseas has posed a significant challenge to law enforcement efforts,” he added.

Paulus has been on the KPK’s wanted list since October 2021 for his alleged role in the multibillion-rupiah corruption scandal involving Indonesia’s electronic identity card, or e-KTP, project.

He was arrested in Singapore in January 2025 following a request from Indonesian authorities for provisional detention to prevent him from leaving the jurisdiction while extradition proceedings were being pursued.

Budi said Singaporean authorities had previously denied Paulus’ request for bail, although the suspect has since filed an appeal.

Also known as Thian Po Tjhin, Paulus is accused of playing a central role in the e-KTP corruption case, which allegedly caused state losses of approximately Rp 2.3 trillion ($127.5 million).

Investigators allege that he fled to Singapore in 2017, two years before he was formally named a suspect.

Indonesia submitted a formal extradition request on Feb. 20, 2025, under the bilateral extradition treaty between Indonesia and Singapore, which entered into force in March 2024.

Budi reiterated the KPK’s commitment to pursuing the case professionally, transparently, and in accordance with applicable laws.

“The KPK continues to coordinate intensively with the Ministry of Law, relevant law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, to ensure that the extradition process proceeds smoothly, effectively, and in accordance with legal procedures,” he said.

He noted that the next stage of the case will be a committal hearing scheduled in Singapore in August 2026, during which final arguments will be presented by the Indonesian government, represented by the Attorney-General’s Chambers, and by Paulus Tannos’ legal team.

According to Budi, an extradition ruling could be issued during that hearing or at a later stage, depending on developments in the proceedings.

Under Singapore’s Extradition Act, he added, the subject of an extradition order retains the right to pursue further legal remedies following an extradition decision.

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