“DePA-RI Collaborates with The Law Society of Singapore”

Singapore – The Indonesian Advocates Movement Council (DePA-RI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Law Society of Singapore (LSS) on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the LSS office in Maxwell, Singapore.

The MoU was signed directly by the Chairman of DePA-RI, Dr. TM Luthfi Yazid, and the President of The Law Society of Singapore, Lisa Sam Hui Min.

Lisa Sam Hui Min is an alumna of the University of Kent in the UK and the third woman to serve as president of the Singaporean lawyers’ organization.

In her speech, Lisa Sam expressed gratitude for the collaboration with DePA-RI and hoped the partnership would be long-lasting.

Meanwhile, Dr. TM Luthfi Yazid mentioned his long-standing professional relationship with The Law Society of Singapore. He had previously worked with Malathi, a former Vice President of LSS and the first President of LAWASIA.

Luthfi once discussed a pro bono case he handled with Malathi (whom he called “Mal”)—the 2004 murder case involving Sundarti, an Indonesian domestic worker from East Java, who was accused of killing her employer in Singapore.

Initially facing the death penalty, Sundarti was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment. Malathi provided valuable advice, including diplomatic efforts.

Luthfi, who is also a member of the Indonesian Supreme Court’s Working Group on Mediation, recalled attending the International Bar Association conference in Singapore around 1997, where he directly asked then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew how Singapore established its legal system early in its governance.

Lee Kuan Yew responded that the key was the Rule of Law in managing a diverse society, including Indian, Chinese, and Malay communities with different customs and backgrounds.

DePA-RI appreciated LSS’s invitation to collaborate in various areas. During their visit to Singapore, the DePA-RI delegation aimed to learn how LSS developed its organization and activities to achieve progress.

The agreement between The Law Society of Singapore and DePA-RI includes five key points: First, mutual assistance and exchange of legal information between Singapore and Indonesia. Second, joint activities such as seminars, conferences, and webinars on agreed-upon topics. Third, facilitating exchanges for lawyers from both countries to undergo training at law firms in each other’s nations.

Fourth, actively promoting interaction and cooperation between members of both legal organizations. Fifth, exploring and developing business opportunities in both countries for the benefit of their members.

Both Luthfi Yazid and Lisa Sam hope the partnership between DePA-RI and The Law Society of Singapore will be sustainable, given the long-standing cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore in various fields, including law.

The day before, on August 14, 2025, DePA-RI met with the Singapore International Mediation Center (SIMC). During discussions, SIMC encouraged DePA-RI to advocate for Indonesia’s ratification of the Singapore Convention on Mediation, as 18 countries, including China, Brazil, and the U.S., have already done so.

Luthfi Yazid was accompanied by several DePA-RI leaders during his visit to Singapore, including Deputy Chairmen Akhmad Abdul Aziz Zein and Wati Shihite.

Also present were Secretary-General Sugeng Aribowo, Treasurer Broto Pramono Istanto, Honorary Council members Lalu Rusdi, Bachtiar Marassabessy, Azrina Fradella, Aulia Taswin, Michael Anshori, and Jakarta Chapter Head Diyah Kunthi Wardani.