Tom Lembong Disappointed With Prosecutor's Indictment: Not Accurate With Realita

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 was disappointed with the indictment of the public prosecutor (JPU) in the alleged corruption case of sugar importation at the Ministry of Trade for the 2015'2016 period. Because, many things are unclear, one of which is about state losses.

"I am disappointed with the indictment submitted," Tom Lembong told reporters, Thursday, March 6.

According to him, the uncertainty regarding state losses was not attached to the results of the BPKP audit which became the basis for determining its value. Thus, the figures mentioned in the indictment deserve to be questioned.

"As an example in a situation where the matter of state losses in my case is increasingly unclear, there is no BPKP audit attachment that outlines the basis for calculating the country's losses, as we have previously conveyed," he said.

Selain itu, Tom Lembong juga menilai berkas dakwaannya tidak akurat. Khusus terkait menyebarkan dugaan tindak pidana yang terjadi.

"In general, I see that the indictment does not reflect accurately the reality that was valid at that time, yes, during the litigation," said Tom Lembong.

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.