Tom Lembong Alleges Selective Prosecution in Sugar Import Case
Former Trade Minister Tom Lembong has accused the Attorney General of selective prosecution in the sugar import corruption case. Lembong, charged with causing Rp578 billion in state losses, argued that all Trade Ministers from 2015-2023 should be investigated. He denies wrongdoing, insisting sugar imports were routine. Prosecutors claim he issued 21 import approvals without required recommendations.
Jakarta – Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong, a defendant in the alleged sugar import corruption case, accused the Attorney General of selectively prosecuting suspects in this case. He conveyed this statement after the hearing of his response to the exception on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
“It’s like they are picking and choosing, selectively accusing or prosecuting someone, not being comprehensive,” Tom said at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court.
Initially, Tom pointed out that the investigation order covered the period from 2015 to 2023, while he only served as Trade Minister for two years.
“So, why am I the only one accused or even prosecuted? That’s not consistent,” he stressed.
He argued that if the case against him covered the years 2015 to 2023, then the Attorney General should be consistent. He believes that all Trade Ministers during that time did the same thing as him regarding sugar imports.
“So it has to be everyone; you can’t pick and choose,” he added.
Tom believes that neither he nor other Trade Ministers during that period did anything wrong that violated the law. He also believes that all other Trade Ministers during that time could prove that the sugar import process was routine and there was no violation of the law.
“Nothing was diverted, nothing violated the law. All other Trade Ministers will prove that all sugar imports during 2015-2023 were routine. That’s what the prosecutor intentionally ignored,” he said.
In the sugar import corruption case, Tom is accused of causing state financial losses of Rp578,105,411,622.47. This figure is based on the Report of the Results of the Financial Loss Audit of Suspected Corruption Crimes in Sugar Import Activities at the Ministry of Trade from 2015 to 2016, Number PE.03/R/S-51/D5/01/2025, dated January 20, 2025. The report was issued by the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP).
Tom is also accused of enriching several parties involved in the sugar imports.
The prosecutor stated that Tom, as Trade Minister from 2015 to 2016, issued 21 approvals for the import of raw crystal sugar (GKM) for the purpose of forming sugar stocks and price stability to 10 businesses. According to the prosecutor, the import approvals were issued without the recommendation of the Ministry of Industry.
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Source : Tempo
