Investigate The Corruption Of Tom Lembong Sugar Imports, The Attorney General's Office Examines The Former Director General Of The Ministry Of Trade

Kapuspenkum Harli Siregar At The Attorney General's Office Building, Jakarta (Rizky AP/VOI)

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) is examining the former Director General of the Ministry of Trade regarding the investigation into the alleged corruption case of sugar imports with the suspect Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong.

The witness examination took place at the Directorate of Investigation of the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) at the AGO, Monday, November 11.

"Examining SA as Director General of the Ministry of Trade for the 2016 period," said Head of the AGO, Harli Siregar in his statement, Tuesday, November 12.

In addition, investigators also examined SH, who is the Head of Sub-Directorate for Industrial Results at the Directorate of Basic Materials and Strategic Goods for the 2015 period.

It was not clearly conveyed about what was being investigated by the two witnesses. It is only stated that the investigation was carried out to strengthen the evidence of a criminal act of corruption.

"The witness examination was carried out to strengthen the evidence and complete the filing in the case," 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.