The Attorney General's Office Opens Opportunities To Investigate Allegations Of Trade Minister Corruption Apart From Tom Lembong

Kapuspenkum AGO Harli Siregar/DOK Puspenkum

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) does not rule out the possibility of investigating allegations of corruption at the Ministry of Trade that occurred before or after the era of Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong or Tom Lembong.

The Head of the Attorney General's Office, Harli Siregar, stated that the investigation would be carried out if sufficient preliminary evidence was found.

"Will there be any other developments? It really depends on sufficient preliminary evidence," said Harli to VOI, Tuesday, December 3.

However, based on existing investigation warrants, investigators will focus on handling cases involving Tom Lembong.

The goal is that the handling of the case is not biased. Thus, creating justice for all parties.

"With the existing investigation warrants against TTL, at this time investigators will certainly focus on collecting evidence for filing their cases," said Harli.

Until now, investigators have examined dozens of witnesses. In addition, several experts have also been asked for their views regarding the alleged corps case.

"About 30 witnesses and there are three experts," said Harli.

In the case of alleged corruption in sugar imports, Tom Lembong was named a suspect because he allowed the import of 105 thousand tons of sugar to private companies. The permit was issued while serving as Minister of Trade for the 2015 to 2016 period.

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

Tom Lembong was charged with 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.