Abdul Gani Patail satisfied

(The Malay Mail) – Malaysia is yet to decide if it wants to have an extradition treaty with the United Kingdom (UK).

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said this morning that an extradition can be made with a special order by the Home Minister.

Abdul Gani said this during a Press conference after signing the Treaty on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between Malaysia and the UK, comprising of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

British High Commissioner William Boyd McCleary signed on behalf of the UK.

Abdul Gani said the treaty was different from an extradition treaty. Asked whether he was happy with the cooperation by the UK concerning blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, aka RPK, Abdul Gani said he was very satisfied “in all the cooperation that had been rendered and not just on Raja Petra”.

Abdul Gani also confirmed no formal application was made to extradite Raja Petra from UK. He said the treaty signed today offered the widest scope of mutual assistance in criminal matters to mount successful investigation and prosecution.

“In addition, the treaty also provides assistance in recovery and repatriation of proceeds of crime,” he added.

The treaty was concluded after two rounds of negotiations. The first round was on Jan 21 and 23, 2008 in Putrajaya and the second in London on July 28 and 31, 2008. Outstanding issues were only resolved in February, 2010.