ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – There is no longer a safe haven for corrupt officials fleeing abroad.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) of Indonesia has officially launched the Justice Abroad Global Outreach (JAGO) team — a special task force dedicated to tracking and recovering assets from corruption and money laundering cases hidden overseas through stronger international legal cooperation.
The initiative was introduced during a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled “Enhancing Prosecutorial Capacity in Asset Tracing and Recovery Abroad”, held at the AGO headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
“With focused synergy and empowered human resources, we believe Team JAGO will be a strategic breakthrough to accelerate state asset recovery and strengthen Indonesia’s legal sovereignty on the international stage,” said Sri Kuncoro, Head of the AGO’s Bureau of Personnel, representing the Deputy Attorney General for Development (JAM-Bin) Hendro Dewanto.
Sri Kuncoro emphasized that the creation of Team JAGO reflects the AGO’s firm commitment to tackling transnational crime. “With clear legal authority, prosecutors can act more professionally in reclaiming assets stolen and hidden overseas,” he explained.
He added that this effort aligns with the Prabowo–Gibran administration’s vision to prioritize the recovery of corruption proceeds for the benefit of the people.
“The FGD’s recommendations will be implemented soon to build globally minded, adaptive, and professional prosecutors in international cooperation,” he noted.
Corrupt Officials No Longer Safe Abroad
One of the toughest challenges in corruption eradication is when perpetrators escape overseas with illicit funds. Many assets derived from corruption and money laundering are transferred abroad through banking systems, investments, or luxury property purchases.
Other obstacles include differences in legal systems between countries, limited coordination among law enforcement units, and a shortage of prosecutors with expertise in international law, diplomacy, and asset tracing. The formation of Team JAGO aims to bridge these gaps and enhance Indonesia’s reach in global asset recovery.
A Proven Case: The Capture of Adeline Lis
A key success story in cross-border law enforcement cooperation was the arrest of Adeline Lis, a fugitive corruption convict who had fled to Singapore for over a decade. In 2021, the Indonesian AGO, in collaboration with Singaporean authorities, successfully brought her back to face justice.
However, Sri Kuncoro underlined that catching fugitives is only half the battle. The greater challenge lies in tracing and recovering hidden assets — ranging from offshore bank accounts and luxury apartments to yachts and high-value properties.
“All these assets rightfully belong to the Indonesian people,” he stressed. “Our duty is to ensure that every stolen rupiah is returned to the state.”
With the launch of Team JAGO, the AGO sends a clear message to corrupt officials everywhere:
You can run, but you cannot hide. The world is no longer a refuge for those who steal from the people.
(AT Network)
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