Prosecutors Read The Testimony Of The Former Minister Of SOEs, Lawyer Tom Lembong Walk Out

Tom Lembong/DOK BETWEEN PHOTOS/Asprilla Dwi Adha/foc/am.

Attorney from the former Minister of Trade (Mendag) Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong decided to walk out of the courtroom. The reason is because they do not accept that the Public Prosecutor (JPU) continues to read out the statements of witnesses who are unable to attend the trial.

The walk out action occurred during the trial of the alleged corruption case of sugar importation with the defendant Tom Lembong which was held at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Tuesday, June 17.

Initially, the prosecutor said that the witness on behalf of Rini Mariani Soemarno as the former Minister of SOEs was unable to attend the trial. Then, asked the panel of judges to read the testimony stated in the Minutes of Investigation (BAP).

However, Tom's team of lawyers rejected it and questioned the basis or reason. Thus, there was a debate between the two parties.

The chairman of the panel of judges, Dennie Arsan Fatrix, then mediated the two debates. The judge asked the prosecutor to explain why Rini was unable to attend as a witness at today's trial.

"The public prosecutor, there was a valid reason earlier. Please explain the validity, what is the point?" asked the judge during the trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court.

Prosecutors said witness Rini was unable to attend because he had a family event in Central Java. Lawyer Tom asked Rini to continue to be presented at the next trial.

"From the letter, the witness had a family event in Central Java," replied the prosecutor.

The judge did not grant Tom's lawyer's request and asked the prosecutor to still be able to read Rini's statement at trial.

Hearing the decision, Tom's lawyer chose to walk out of court.

"Okay, the point is that the panel has taken a stand. Please also calm down. The assembly has taken a stand and we feel it is necessary to read out the public prosecutor's request to read out the witness testimony," said the judge.

"If you want to read it, just read it yourself. We don't have to be present at this trial, then in this reading we will leave," said Tom's lawyer, Ari Yusuf Amir.

"Because in the minutes later, of course, it will be recorded in the name of the witness' testimony read out," said the judge.

Tom's lawyer asked for his objection to be recorded in court. Then, Tom's team of lawyers left the trial.

"And please note that at trial we rejected it," said Ari.

The trial continued with the reading of Rini's statement in court. Tom also attended the trial without being accompanied by his lawyer.

In the case of sugar importation, Tom Lembong was charged with harming state finances worth Rp578.1 billion, among others, for issuing an import recognition letter or approval of imports of raw crystal sugar for the 2015'2016 period to 10 companies without being based on a coordination meeting between ministries and without any recommendations from the Ministry of Industry.