The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has named former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong, also known as Tom Lembong, as a suspect in a corruption case related to sugar imports during his tenure in 2015-2016.
The case revolves around alleged misconduct in the importation process, which is said to have resulted in significant financial losses for the state.
According to Abdul Qohar, Director of Investigation at the Office of Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes, Tom Lembong and CS, Business Development Director of PT PPI from the same period, have been declared suspects after sufficient evidence was gathered.
“The two suspects are Thomas Trikasih Lembong, who served as the Minister of Trade from 2015-2016, and CS, the then Business Development Director,” Qohar told a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 29, 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, Lembong nonetheless authorized the import of 105,000 tons of raw sugar for PT AP.
This raw sugar was subsequently processed into white sugar. The case has reportedly cost the state approximately Rp400 billion.
Lembong and CS 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.
Before his public service roles, Lembong had a substantial background in finance and investment, having held prominent positions at major firms like Morgan Stanley and Farido Investments.
He is an alumnus of Harvard University and brought extensive private sector experience to his government roles.
