Tom Lembong Receives Abolition, AGO Makes Sure Not To Continue Appeal

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) said the appeal filed in the corruption case of sugar imports that ensnared former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong or Tom Lembong, was not continued after the defendant received abolition.

"Everything is finished. The legal process and all the legal consequences are resolved," said the Director of Prosecution at the Attorney General's Office, Sutikno, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, August 1.

However, it was emphasized that the granting of this subscription would not automatically stop the law enforcement process against the other 10 defendants in the alleged corruption case of sugar importation.

Sutikno emphasized that Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 18 of 2025 regarding the granting of abolition was only intended for one person, namely Tom Lembong. Thus, only Tom was abolished from the legal process.

Ini adalah memberikan abolisi kepada Pak Tom Lembong. Benal melawan hukum, tindak pidana ini kan tetap ada. Proses, kan tetap berjalan. Yang diberikan abolisi, kan, cuma satu orang. Yang lainnya, proses berjalan, katanya.

As for Friday night, the AGO has officially received a copy of the presidential decree regarding the granting of abolitions for Tom Lembong.

With the acceptance of the presidential decree, Sutikno said that his party would immediately coordinate with the Central Jakarta District Attorney (Kejari) because the administration of Tom Lembong's detention was carried out at the prosecutor's office.

"Of course the one who will implement it is the public prosecutor (JPU) who is controlled by the Central Jakarta Kajari," he said.

He also ensured that the administrative process would be carried out immediately so that Tom Lembong could immediately be released from the Cipinang Rutan, East Jakarta.

"We make sure tonight the person concerned can get out of custody," he said.

The DPR previously approved the application for abolition submitted by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to former Trade Minister Tom Lembong in the alleged corruption case of sugar importation at the Ministry of Trade in 2015'2016.

"The DPR RI has given considerations and approvals to Presidential Letter Number R.43/PRES/07/2025 dated July 30, 2025 regarding the request for consideration of the DPR RI for giving an abolition on behalf of Tom Lembong's brother," said Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.

Meanwhile, Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas said that the proposal for giving abolition to Tom Lembong was proposed by him to President Prabowo.

"Everything that proposed to the President was the Minister of Law, so a letter of application from the Minister of Law to the President for granting amnesty and my abolition signed," said Supratman.

Supratman explained that with the granting of the subscription, the entire ongoing legal process against Tom Lembong was stopped and just waiting for the president's decision as a follow-up.

For information, Tom Lembong was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison in a sugar import case.