Before Arrest in Malaysia, Jimmy Lie Had Previously Fled to Australia

Jakarta — Jimmy Lie, a fugitive in a bribery case involving the Systematic Land Registration Programme (PTSL) worth IDR 960 million, was finally arrested on Penang Island, Malaysia, after having traced his movements across several countries since fleeing in 2025.

Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko, Secretary of the National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol Indonesia in the International Relations Division (Divhubinter) of the Indonesian National Police, explained that Jimmy Lie fled in May 2025 after being declared a fugitive in the PTSL corruption case handled by the Tangerang City Metro Police.

“The individual in question fled in May 2025,” Untung told Kompas.com on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

Authorities tracked him staying in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, before moving to New Zealand and subsequently being detected on Penang Island, Malaysia.

Following the discovery of Jimmy Lie’s whereabouts, Indonesian Interpol coordinated with several Malaysian authorities to pursue him. Untung explained that this coordination took place through meetings between Indonesian officials and Malaysian authorities on 27 January 2026 and again on 4 March 2026.

The results of the coordination were then acted upon by the Malaysian Immigration Department’s intelligence unit through a covert operation.

“The arrest was conducted at a property owned by the individual,” Untung stated.

At the time of arrest, Jimmy Lie was found with his daughter, Adelline Josephine, who accompanied him throughout the repatriation process to Indonesia.

Following his arrest, Jimmy Lie was first taken to the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Penang to obtain a Travel Document in Lieu of Passport (SPLP) as a temporary travel document.

Jimmy Lie’s repatriation to Indonesia was carried out under a migrant repatriation scheme, as he had exceeded his permitted stay (overstay) in Malaysia. Under this scheme, the repatriation process could be conducted without going through legal proceedings or trial in Malaysia.