On a cloudy Wednesday last week, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) could not conceal his displeasure. His face was red. His usually calm voice became sharp and penetrating. "I was surprised that some had spread hearsay, saying that I went to Singapore to sign an extradition treaty."

He swallowed after making the statement. Reporters at the press conference held in Singapore last week were surprised. The president usually has