RIZKY AMELIA | Jakarta Globe

THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT is drafting an agreement with Papua New Guinea to bring back graft convict Djoko Soegiarto Tjandra [pictured].

“We can’t intervene with other countries’ legal systems. But with the intention to maintain a good relationship, we hope to see the [agreement] materialize,” said Justice and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin.

Amir said the two governments have been corresponding through letters.

Indonesia requested that Djoko’s PNG citizenship be revoked, saying he falsified immigration documents when escaping to PNG.

Deputy Attorney General Darmono said on Monday that Peter Ilau, PNG’s ambassador in Jakarta, told him during their meeting on Sunday that his government would evaluate Djoko’s status.

“To become a citizen of a country, people should be free from legal problems. We believe that Djoko has falsified his data to hide his status as a graft convict. He should be deported because of that,” Darmono said.

PNG authorities granted citizenship to Djoko last month. They reportedly announced that he was cleared of the graft charges.

“We have given all of the evidence we have to prove he is a graft convict in Indonesia. I think there should be no more reason for Papua New Guinea to keep his citizenship,” Darmono said.