Tom Lembong 3 Times Examined Before Becoming A Suspect

JAKARTA - The former Minister of Trade (Mendag), Thomas Trikasih Lembong or Tom Lembong, is said to have been questioned three times as a witness related to the 2015-2016 sugar import corruption case. Until finally, his status was upgraded to a suspect.

"Regarding the examination in question since 2023, he has been examined three times as a witness," said Head of the AGO, Harli Siregar, to reporters, Wednesday, October 30.

Dalam pemeriksaan terakhir sebagai saksi atau Selasa, 29 Oktober, penyidik melakukan gelar perkara. Hasilnya, ditemukan alat bukti yang cukup untuk menetapkannya sebagai tersangka.

"After examining as a witness, investigators conducted exposure, titled the case and named the person concerned as a suspect," said Harli.

With the series of examination stages, Harli also emphasized that there was no political element behind the determination of Tom Lembong as a suspect.

"(The determination of the suspect) Murni is law enforcement," said Harli.

In the case of alleged sugar import corruption, Tom Lembong, who while serving as Minister of Trade allowed sugar imports of 105 thousand tons to private companies.

Tom Lembong's decision has violated the Decree of the Minister of Trade Number 527 of 2004. In that regulation, only state-owned companies are allowed to import sugar.

In this case, Tom Lembong is suspected of being under Article 2 Paragraph 1 or Article 3 Juncto Article 18 of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2021 Juncto Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Amendments to Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Corruption Crimes Juncto Article 55 Paragraph 1 to 1 of the Criminal Procedure Code.