Cak Imin Hopes Tom Lembong Is Free At The Appeal Level For Sugar Corruption Cases

PKB chairman Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar while attending a technical guidance event for his party cadres in the Tanah Abang area, Jakarta, Tuesday (22/7/2025).

JAKARTA - Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar responded to the appeal of the former Minister of Trade (Mendag), Thomas Trikasih Lembong, Tom Lembong's eyebrows on a verdict or a sentence of 4.5 years in prison in a case of alleged corruption in sugar imports.

The former Vice Presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election hopes that Tom Lembong's appeal will be granted and can be free from crime.

"Hopefully it can be deleted in the appeal. Hopefully, we pray," said Cak Imin when met in Central Jakarta, Tuesday, July 22 evening.

Cak Imin had a close relationship during last year's election contestation. Because Tom is a former Co Captain of the Anies-Muhaimin National Team in the presidential election. Cak Imin also admitted that he had visited Tom in detention.

"I had time to find Tom Lembong, I also hope that as a friend, justice will be shown to be appealed. I continue to communicate with Tom," he explained.

Tom Lembong decided to appeal the verdict or a 4.5-year sentence in the case of alleged corruption in sugar imports. The legal step was conveyed by Tom Lembong's attorney, Ari Yusuf Amir.

According to him, there were several considerations in deciding to file an appeal. One of them is the absence of a mens rea or Tom Lembong's evil intentions.

"The consideration of Mens Rea in detail shows irregularities, irregularities, and doubts of the Council in making a decision so that if considering the principle in the dubio pro reo, the defendant should be released," he said.

In addition, Amir also conveyed that Tom Lembong's mens rea did not refer to the facts of the trial. Instead, it only refers to the testimony of witnesses as stated in the examination report (BAP).

"This is wrong, because the testimony of witnesses who are considered evidence is the testimony of witnesses who were heard and presented at the trial. The testimony of witnesses who are used as the basis for consideration stands alone so that there is no agreement, so it is not included in the minimum of proof," said Amir.

In addition to imprisonment, the panel of judges also imposed a fine on Tom Lembong. The value reaches Rp. 750 million.

In the verdict, Tom Lembong's actions were deemed to have violated Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st of the Criminal Code.