Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia and Malaysia have reached an agreement on the key provisions of a prisoner transfer pact, which is considered significant towards strengthening the protection of their citizens, following talks on June 29 between Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Migration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya.
The agreement focuses on the right to grant pardons and sentence reductions for repatriated prisoners
Malaysia had previously proposed that granting remissions, amnesties, or other forms of pardon to repatriated Indonesian prisoners should still require the approval of the country where the sentence was imposed. However, Prime Minister Anwar has now agreed with Indonesia's position that the authority to manage, rehabilitate, and pardon prisoners rests entirely with the receiving country. This principle will also apply to Malaysian citizens serving sentences in Indonesia upon their repatriation.
The two sides committed to respecting each other's jurisdiction and to merely notifying the other through official channels when a decision on amnesty is issued.
The urgent finalisation of this agreement is of great importance due to the large number of citizens of both countries currently imprisoned in each other's territories.
Data from the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Migration and Corrections showed that as of June 2026, there were 6,622 Indonesian citizens in the Malaysian correctional system, including 4,900 prisoners and 1,722 detainees. Among them, two were sentenced to death, 49 were serving life sentences, and 62 belonged to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and minors.
Meanwhile, 314 Malaysian citizens were recorded in the Indonesian correctional system, 290 of whom were involved in drug-related offences. Notably, 23 were sentenced to death, while 51 were serving life sentences.
Mahendra emphasised that the long-standing friendly relations and historical and cultural ties provide a solid foundation for the two countries to resolve legal issues. The agreement, expected to be signed soon, will not only effectively address cross-border legal issues but also demonstrate the Indonesian government's strong commitment to protecting the legitimate rights of its citizens abroad./.
