Supreme Court Confirms Case Judge Tom Lembong's Code Of Ethics Violation Report Followed Up

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the Supreme Court (MA) Yanto emphasized that his party would definitely follow up on reports made by former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong against three judges who sentenced him to guilt in the case of sugar importation to the Supreme Court.

"The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will immediately study and follow up. Whether it needs clarification or not. This means that action must be taken, surely the name will be clarified, will be summoned," said Yanto at the MA Building, Jakarta, Wednesday, confiscated by Antara.

Yanto said that his party had no problem with the report and considered that the report was the right of all parties who felt that their rights had been harmed in relation to the judicial process in the country.

"Regarding complaints from Tom Lembong's attorney, yes, those are the rights of those who feel that their rights are harmed may complain and as soon as possible, they will be followed up," he said.

Regarding when the Supreme Court or the Supreme Court Supervisory Agency will summon the three judges regarding the alleged violation of the code of ethics, Yanto said he could not confirm yet. The reason is that the summons was carried out after the report was studied and if an alleged violation was found.

"If it is true that there are irregularities, of course there will be punishment, but if there are no irregularities, no," he said.

Previously, former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong's attorney, Monday, August 4, reported three judges, who found themselves guilty in the sugar import case, to the Supreme Court.

The three judges reported were Chief Justice Dennie Arsan Fatrix with Member Judges Alfis Setyawan and Purwanto S Abdullah.

"He (Tom Lembong) wants an evaluation, he wants a correction. So what? So that justice and truth in the law enforcement process in Indonesia can be felt by all," said Tom Lembong's attorney, Zaid Mushafi, at the Indonesian Supreme Court building, Jakarta, Monday. Zaid said Tom did not want the subscription he received as if ending his struggle on legal channels.

"So, Mr. Tom, it's not just after he's free, we're done. No, he's committed to his struggle. There are things that need to be corrected, there are things that need to be evaluated," he said.

Furthermore, Zaid said the report was made because he considered the judge who tried his client not to prioritize the principle of presumption of innocence.

"What is noted is that there is one member judge who in our opinion during the trial process did not prioritize presumption of innocence. He did not prioritize that principle. But prioritizing the principle of presumption of punishment. So Mr. Tom, it seems as if the person who is already guilty just looks for the evidence. Even though that can't be the judicial process," he said.

Zaid also said that in addition to reporting to the Supreme Court, his party would also make a report on the Judicial Commission, the Ombudsman and BPKP.

To note, In the case of corruption in sugar importation at the Ministry of Trade in 2015-2016, Tom Lembong was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison after being found guilty of committing a criminal act of corruption, which cost the state finances Rp194.72 billion.

Tom Lembong's corruption crimes include issuing submission letters or approval of imports of raw crystal sugar for the 2015'2016 period to 10 companies without being based on inter-ministerial coordination meetings and without recommendations from the Ministry of Industry.

For his actions, Tom Lembong was also sentenced to a fine of Rp. 750 million, provided that if he was not paid, he would be replaced (subsidiary) with 6 months imprisonment.

Even so, on August 1, 2025, Tom Lembong was officially released from the Cipinang Detention Center (Rutan), Jakarta, receiving an abolition from President Prabowo Subianto.

Tom Lembong left the Cipinang Rutan at 22.05 WIB after the Presidential Decree (Keppres) was signed by the President in the afternoon, which the Presidential Decree was handed over by the Prosecutor's Office to the Cipinang Detention Center at night.

The abolition is the right of the head of state to abolish criminal charges and stop the legal process if it has been implemented. The right of abolition is given by the president taking into account the considerations of the DPR.