KY Will Focus On Judges Regarding The Handling Of Tom Lembong's Report

Head of Inter-Institutional Relations and Information Services of the Judicial Commission (KY) Mukti Fajar Nur Dewata (center) /ANTARA/Fianda Sjofjan Rassat.

JAKARTA - Head of Inter-Institutional Relations and Information Services of the Judicial Commission (KY) Mukti Fajar Nur Dewata said his party would focus on the situation and condition of the judge who tried the case of former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong.

Mukti revealed that she heard many public comments and opinions regarding the case, but she emphasized that KY would be independent in handling the report.

"We heard that this case, yes, there are those who say this is political, this is there, but we want to focus on the judge, whether this judge really decides in an independent situation and condition, which is independent, has not intervened in anything, either by power or the lure, the lure of money or what," said Mukti as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 11.

The KY spokesman also said Tom Lembong's report had now entered the advanced analysis stage and developments on the report would be submitted regularly to the public.

He asked the public to entrust the handling of the report to the Judicial Commission and emphasized that his party would always be independent in serving justice seekers.

"We will serve professionally the justice seekers like Pak Tom Lembong and we will also remain an independent institution. So we believe in the Judicial Commission that we will process it professionally," he said.

In the case of corruption in sugar importation at the Ministry of Trade in 2015 '2016, Tom Lembong was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison after being found guilty of committing a criminal act of corruption, which cost the state finances Rp194.72 billion.

Tom Lembong's corruption crimes include issuing submission letters or approval of imports of raw crystal sugar for the 2015'2016 period to 10 companies without being based on inter-ministerial coordination meetings and without recommendations from the Ministry of Industry.

For his actions, Tom Lembong was also sentenced to a fine of Rp. 750 million, provided that if he was not paid, he would be replaced (subsidiary) with 6 months imprisonment.

However, on August 1, 2025, Tom Lembong was officially released from the Cipinang Detention Center, Jakarta, receiving an abolition from President Prabowo Subianto.

After receiving the abolition, Tom Lembong then reported the three judges who heard his case to the Supreme Court and the Judicial Commission.

Tom Lembong's attorney, Zaid Mushafi, said the report was made because he considered the judge who tried his client not to prioritize the principle of presumption of innocence.

"What is noted is that there is one member judge who in our opinion during the trial process did not prioritize the presumption of innocence. He did not prioritize that principle. But prioritizing the principle of appreciation of punishment. So Mr. Tom, it seems as if people who are already guilty, just look for the evidence. Even though that can't be the judicial process," said Zaid.