The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has dismissed the speculations that the naming of former Trade Minister Tom Lembong as suspect in a corruption case related to sugar imports during his tenure as cabinet minister in 2015-2016 was politically motivated.
“The decision to name Tom Lembong as suspect in the 2015-2016 corruption case related to sugar imports was based on results of the investigation last year,” AGO Spokesman Harli Siregar said on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
The investigation found that despite a May 15, 2015, inter-ministerial meeting indicating that Indonesia had a surplus of sugar and did not need imports, Tom Lembong nonetheless authorized the import of 105,000 tons of raw sugar for PT Angel Product (AP).
This raw sugar was subsequently processed into white sugar. The case has reportedly cost the state approximately Rp400 billion (US$25.5 million).
Besides Tom Lembong, the Attorney General’s Office has also named Business Development Director of commodity trading company PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PPI) Charles Sitorus as suspect.
Lembong and Charles have been charged under Articles 2 and 3, along with Article 18 of Law No. 31/1999, as amended by Law No. 20/2021, on anti-corruption, as well as Article 55 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).
Currently, both suspects are being held at Salemba Detention Center for a 20-day detention period as the investigation continues. Evidence collected includes records, documents, and witness testimony.
Tom Lembong served as Indonesia’s Trade Minister from August 12, 2015, to July 27, 2016, under President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo’s first term. He also led Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) from 2016 to 2019.
Tom Lembong outspokenly criticized the Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) program of then President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during the campaign period ahead of the February 14, 2024 presidential election.
He also claimed to be the brain behind the presidential speeches, particularly on economic issues.
His attack on Jokowi had drawn counter-attack from both two Jokowi’s aides − then Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Invsetment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and then Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia.
Tom Lembong’s attack on the government’s nickel downstreaming policy, which he accused of having caused the nickel price plunge, was deplored by Luhut as being equipped with limited, short-term data only.
