Investigate Sugar Import Corruption, AGO Examines Two Former Tom Lembong Subordinates

JAKARTA - The Attorney General's Office (AGO) examined three witnesses in the alleged corruption case of sugar imports. Two of them were Tom Lembong's former subordinates when they were Minister of Trade for the 2015 to 2016 period.

"Examining 3 witnesses related to the alleged corruption case in sugar importation activities," said Head of the AGO, Harli Siregar, to reporters, Wednesday, November 13.

The two former Tom Lembong's men were questioned in connection with the alleged corruption case of sugar imports, namely the initials MY and NE.

MY is a former Head of Sub-Directorate for 2 Imports of Forestry Agriculture Products and the role of the Ministry of Trade for the 2014 to 2016 period.

Meanwhile, witness NE is a former Acting Director of Imports of the Ministry of Trade for the 2015 period.

It was not conveyed in detail what was explored from the two former Tom Lembong's men. It is only mentioned if investigators also examine one another.

"Witness PPD as Head of the Accounting and Tax Division of PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PT PPI)," 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.