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Indonesian graft suspect not in S'pore, says MFA
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 05 July 2011 1500 hrs
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SINGAPORE: Indonesian graft suspect Muhammad Nazarudin is not in Singapore and has not been in the country for some time, said Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It issued a statement in response to media queries on the persistent allegations by the Indonesian media about his presence in Singapore.
An MFA spokesman said this information was conveyed to the Indonesian authorities several weeks ago, long before he was named a suspect by Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission on June 30.
He added that Singapore has always been willing to cooperate with Indonesian law enforcement authorities on this and other cases.
However, since Nazaruddin had not been charged with any crime or even named as a suspect at the time he was in Singapore and had a valid Indonesian passport, there was no reason to stop him from entering or leaving the country.
Asked about Nazaruddin's present whereabouts, the spokesman said Singapore does not track people after they leave the country.
The Indonesian authorities were informed of his destination at the time of departure, which is all the information Singapore had.
Nazaruddin, ex-treasurer of the governing Indonesian Democratic party, is accused of accepting bribes worth almost US$3 million.
Nazaruddin has always denied the corruption allegations.
- CNA/cc
