Judge Doesn't Accept Tom Lembong's Exception, Sugar Corruption Case Continues To Evidence Stage

The trial of Tom Lembong's exception at the Corruption Court (DOK Rizky AP/VOI)

JAKARTA - The panel of judges at the Corruption Court decided not to accept exceptions or objections from the defendant Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong and his attorney in the alleged corruption case of sugar importation at the Ministry of Trade for the 2015'2016 period.

The decision was read out by the Chief Justice of the Panel of Judges, Dennie Arsan Fatrix, during a trial held at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court, Thursday, March 13.

"Declaring the objection of the legal adviser to the defendant Thomas Trikasih Lembong is unacceptable," said Hakim Dennie.

With the decision that if the defendant's exception cannot be accepted, the alleged corruption case that makes Tom Lembong a defendant can be continued to the evidentiary stage.

The prosecutor and the defendant will present witnesses and experts to strengthen each other's arguments regarding the case.

"Ordered the public prosecutor to continue examining the case on behalf of Thomas Trikasih Lembong based on the indictment," said Hakim Dennie.

Meanwhile, in this case, 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.