"As a government agency, the Foreign Ministry is ready to assist other agencies. Even we will give facilities if requested," Foreign Ministry spokesman Michael Tene told a press conference here on Friday.
Former taxman Gayus who was sentenced to seven years for tax evasion and corruption on Wednesday mentioned John Jerome Grice in his legal case after a court session here on that day.
Jerome whose name has been put into the police`s wanted list for his alleged part in the making of the passport under the name of Sony Laksono is believed to leave Indonesia in July 2010. He is also believed to be a member of international passport forgery syndicate.
But Tene declined to elaborate on the investigation of the Gayus Tambunan forged passport case, arguing it was the duty of law-enforcing agencies.
Neither did he reply when asked whether there had been coordination between the two agencies.
"The question should be addressed to the police," he said.
The police said on Thursday they would cooperate with Interpol to arrest Jerome by asking the latter to issue a red notice. The police also have coordinated with the US Embassy here to arrest him.
The passport which bears the name of Sony Laksono was actually issued to five-year-old Margareta. Gayus said he obtained the passport from a scalper for US$100,000.
Gayus was believed to visit Macau on Sept 22-24, 2010 while he was supposed to be in jail. From Sept 30 to Oct 2 last year, he, along with his wife was believed to make another overseas trips which took them to Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Singapore and Hong Kong.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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