**SINGAPORE:** A businessman embroiled in a significant corruption controversy is gearing up for a legal showdown as tentative court hearing dates have been scheduled for June. Paulus Tannos, a Singapore permanent resident holding a diplomatic passport from West African nation Guinea-Bissau, is facing extradition to Indonesia for his alleged involvement in a graft case linked to a public electronic ID card project that reportedly incurred losses of approximately 2.3 trillion rupiah (around US$140 million) to the Indonesian state.

Tannos has been residing in Singapore since 2017 and was first remanded without bail following his arrest by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau on January 17, as Indonesian authorities submitted a formal request for his extradition on February 24. The businessman, also known as Tjhin Thian Po, is contesting this extradition request, claiming he will challenge the grounds of his remand.

According to Singapore's Minister for Law and Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, the extradition could be expedited within six months if Tannos consents to the process. However, if he insists on contesting it at every stage, the legal proceedings could extend up to two years.

During a recent court appearance conducted via video link, Tannos, who appeared visibly distressed and thin, was seen dressed in white clothing with a Bahasa Indonesia interpreter present. His lawyer, Hassan Esa Almenoar, indicated that a suitable date for the hearing would be in June, contingent upon the outcome of a bail application submitted in March. If bail is not granted, the defense plans to appeal to the High Court.

State Counsel Sarah Siaw noted that the committal hearing could take as many as two days, and she suggested that the dates for this hearing should be finalized following the bail hearing, scheduled for April 22.

Judge Brenda Tan set tentative dates of June 4 and June 23 for the committal hearing, pending confirmation of availability from Ms. Siaw’s team. When Judge Tan asked Tannos whether he would consent to being surrendered to the Indonesian government, he firmly responded, "I do not consent, your honour." Tannos is next expected to appear in court on March 28.

In a shocking twist to this ongoing saga, the corruption case has sparked widespread media attention, putting pressure on both the Singaporean and Indonesian governments regarding their handling of financial crimes and the extradition process. As more details emerge about the intricate web of corruption, experts warn this case may unveil even larger systemic issues within governance and public accountability, raising crucial questions about the integrity of major projects like the electronic ID card initiative. Will Tannos's legal battle set a precedent for future extradition cases involving high-profile corruption? Stay tuned for updates as this dramatic legal story unfolds!