AGO Checks Tom Lembong Again, Looking For Fund Flows?

Former Minister of Trade (Mendag) Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong has been detained by the AGO/PHOTO IST

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has again questioned the former Minister of Trade (Mendag) Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong regarding the alleged corruption case of sugar importation.

In the corruption case, Tom Lembong has become a suspect.

"Yes (Tom Lembong) is being investigated," said the Head of the AGO, Harli Siregar when confirmed, Friday, November 1.

However, Harli said that he did not know what investigators would explore at the examination.

It is also about the possibility that investigators will start investigating the alleged flow of funds or fees received by Tom Lembong from a private company regarding the issuance of import permits.

"The matter is that investigators understand," said Harli.

In the case of alleged sugar import corruption, Tom Lembong, who while serving as Minister of Trade allowed sugar imports of 105 thousand tons to private companies.

Tom Lembong's decision has violated the Decree of the Minister of Trade Number 527 of 2004. In that regulation, only state-owned companies are allowed to import sugar.

In this case, Tom Lembong is suspected of being under Article 2 Paragraph 1 or Article 3 Juncto Article 18 of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2021 Juncto Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Amendments to Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Corruption Crimes Juncto Article 55 Paragraph 1 to 1 of the Criminal Procedure Code.