Attorney General's Office Responds To Appeal Tom Lembong Sentenced To 4.5 Years In Sugar Import Corruption Case

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Trade (Mendag), Thomas Trikasih Lembong eyebrows Tom Lembong decided to appeal the verdict or verdict 4.5 years in the case of alleged corruption in sugar imports. The Attorney General's Office (AGO) responded to the legal step by stating that this matter is the right of the defendant in the legal process.

"That is the right of the defendant and his legal advisor and has been regulated in the Criminal Procedure Code," said Head of the AGO, Anang Supriatna to VOI, Monday, July 21.

Regarding the attitude of the Public Prosecutor (JPU) regarding the decision, Anang could not confirm it. However, there is still 7 days to determine it.

If later the prosecutor decides an appeal, then, he will immediately prepare a memorandum of appeal to oversee the next legal process.

"If the prosecutor declares an appeal and the defendant's PH appeal, the prosecutor will make a memorandum of appeal and make a counter memorandum of appeal against the defendant's PH appeal memory. We'll see within that time limit according to the provisions," said Anang.

Tom Lembong decided to appeal the verdict or a 4.5-year sentence in the case of alleged corruption in sugar imports.

The legal action was conveyed by Tom Lembong's attorney, Ari Yusuf Amir. The plan is for an appeal to be made on Tuesday, July 22.

"Yes, it has been decided that we will appeal on Tuesday, sentenced to only one day, Mr. Tom will appeal," said Amir.

Tom Lembong was found guilty in a corruption case of sugar importation for the 2015-2016 period. Thus, the panel of judges sentenced him to 4.5 years in prison

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

The criminal fine was given on the condition that if it was not paid, it would be replaced with imprisonment for six months.

"Sentenced the defendant Thomas Trikasih Lembong to imprisonment for 4 years and 6 months," said judge Dannie Arsan.

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.