“This will be formalized into law, and we’ll assess whether Indonesian nationals detained overseas can be processed under its provisions,” said BNPT Head Eddy Hartono in Jakarta on Thursday.
Eddy confirmed that the review includes a repatriation request from the family of Taufiq, who is serving a life sentence in the Philippines for a hotel bombing in Cotabato.
“Yes, it’s still under review because the law remains a draft. BNPT is compiling data on Indonesian citizens imprisoned abroad for terrorism-related offenses,” he added.
The government has agreed to finalize the bill, citing growing requests from partner countries for prisoner transfers.
“We have agreed to submit the bill to the President through the State Secretariat,” said Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra on Tuesday.
Yusril noted an increase in requests from foreign governments to transfer their nationals, while some Indonesians convicted abroad have also sought repatriation.
Currently, Indonesia lacks a specific legal framework for international prisoner transfers. Requests have been handled through ad hoc arrangements with partner nations.
“This bill is urgently needed,” Yusril emphasized.
He also confirmed that Taufiq’s family has formally requested his repatriation.
“An Indonesian citizen was sentenced to life by the Philippine government for terrorism involving hotel bombings in Cotabato. We are reviewing the case,” he said.
Yusril clarified that while the family initiated the request, any formal submission to the Philippine government must come from the Indonesian government.
Related news: Govt finalizes bill on crossborder prisoner transfers
Translator: Fath Putra Mulya, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Editor: Primayanti
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