Tom Lembong Directly Exceptions After Being Charged With State Loss Of IDR 578 Billion

Former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong after undergoing trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday, March 6. (Rizky A-VOI)

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Trade (Mendag), Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong, immediately filed an exception or objection note after the prosecutor finished reading the indictment in the alleged corruption case of sugar importation at the Ministry of Trade for the 2015'2016 period.

In this case, Tom Lembong is known to have caused state losses of Rp578 billion.

"We will propose an exception that will ...," said Tom Lembong, who was immediately greeted with applause from the court at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday, March 6.

"Will you file an exception?" asked the judge.

Tom Lembong reiterated that he would file an exception. However, he will not read it directly but through his attorney.

"Exceptions. Please give permission to be submitted by the legal adviser," said Tom Lembong.

Then, legal adviser Tom Lembong added. It said the reason his party immediately read out the exception was because his client had been behind bars for a long time.

"The panel of judges we respect, considering that it has been a long time since the investigation case and the defendant has been detained for 4 months. So we have permission to apply for an exception today, at this time," he said.

Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong, was charged with causing state losses of Rp578 billion in the alleged corruption case of sugar importation at the Ministry of Trade for the 2015'2016 period.

The value of the state's losses was due to Tom Lembong's action in issuing a import permit for raw crystal sugar (GKM) to ten private companies.

"What caused state financial losses amounted to Rp515,408,740,970.36 which was part of the state financial loss amounting to Rp578,105,411,622.47," said the prosecutor

In this case, Tom Lembong is suspected of violating Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st of the Criminal Code.