Investigating Allegations Of Corruption In Tom Lembong Sugar Imports, AGO Checks Two Private Companies

JAKARTA - The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has examined two witnesses regarding the handling of a case of alleged corruption in sugar imports. They are representatives of PT Gangsar Alam Semesta and PT Saudara Kusuma Era Sejahtera.

"Examining 2 witnesses, related to the alleged corruption case in sugar importation activities at the Ministry of Trade from 2015 to 2016," said Head of the Attorney General's Office, Harli Siregar, to reporters, Thursday, November 14.

The two witnesses are ST as the party of PT Gangsar Alam Semesta and ETK from PT Saudara Kusuma Era Sejahtera.

However, nothing was clearly conveyed from the two witnesses. It is only stated if their testimony is intended for Tom Lembong, who is a suspect.

"The witness examination was carried out to strengthen the evidence and complete the filing in the case," 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.