Attorney General's Office On Tom Lembong's Abolition: Not Liberation

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) explained that the abolition given by President Prabowo Subianto to Tom Lembong was not an acquisition but an elimination of case handling.

The awarding of the abolition is contained in Presidential Decree (Keppres) number 18 of 2025. So that Tom Lembong is officially free from detention as of August 1, 2025.

"Where in the sound of the presidential decree it decides 'all legal processes and legal consequences against Thomas Trikasih Lembong are abolished'. Not to release, yes, because if the court releases its realm, it means it will be abolished," said Head of the AGO's Kapuspenkum Anang Supriatna to reporters, Monday, August 4.

The awarding of abolition does not mean the cessation of the alleged corruption of sugar imports for other defendants. Because, the Presidential Decree immediately referred to one person.

"Another suspect, this process is still ongoing, right? This is personal," said Anang.

On the other hand, with the release of Tom Lembong, the public prosecutor will immediately return the iPad and laptop belonging to the former Trade Minister who was confiscated as evidence.

"Certainly the public prosecutor will immediately return it," he said.

Anang said that information that could return the evidence would be carried out today. Regarding the mechanism, it is said, later Tom Lembong and his legal advisers will be summoned by the public prosecutor.

"If I'm not mistaken, today may be given, immediately," he said.

"Later called, first of course called, either Lembong's brother or the legal officer. Given the item by making a report, there is no problem," continued Anang.

Tom Lembong was officially released after undergoing detention at the Cipinang Detention Center (Rutan), Jakarta. The release was after the DPR approved the President's letter number R43/Pres072025 dated July 30, 2025 regarding a request for consideration from the DPR RI for the granting of abolition.

"Abolition of Tom Lembong. Pres number R43/Pres 07 2025 dated July 30, 2025, on the consideration of the DPR RI's approval of giving an abolition to Tom Lembong's brother," said Dasco.

Abolition is the elimination or elimination of a criminal event. This term is contained in Article 14 of the 1945 Constitution which regulates the prerogative or privilege of the president by taking into account the considerations of the DPR.