Tom Lembong Loses Pretrial, Remains A Suspect In Sugar Import Cooruption

JAKARTA - The sole judge of the South Jakarta District Court, Tumpanuli Marbun, rejected the pretrial lawsuit filed by former Minister of Trade (Mendag) Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong regarding the alleged corruption case of sugar imports for the 2015-2016 period.

Tom Lembong sued his determination as a suspect and detention because he was deemed invalid.

"Rejected the applicant's pretrial application in its entirety," said Judge Tumpanuli during a trial at the South Jakarta District Court, Tuesday, November 26.

With this decision, the determination of the suspect against Tom Lembong by the Attorney General's Office (AGO) investigators was declared by the judge to be valid and to follow the applicable rules.

In addition, in his decision, Tom Lembong will be charged with zero court fees. Then, asked to remain in detention.

In the case of alleged corruption in sugar imports, Tom Lembong is considered to have violated the law for allowing 105 thousand tons of sugar imports to private companies. The permit was issued while serving as Minister of Trade for the 2015 to 2016 period.

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

Tom Lembong was charged with 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.