Sunday, July 27, 2025
No Result
View All Result
Indonesia Sentinel
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Economic
  • Culture
  • Tech & Science
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Economic
  • Culture
  • Tech & Science
No Result
View All Result
Indonesia Sentinel
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home News

Accused in Sugar Import Scandal, Tom Lembong Declares, ‘I Leave It to God!

by Becky
2024-10-30
in News
A A
tom lembong

(X/Inight.politica)

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp
ADVERTISEMENT

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia’s former Minister of Trade, Thomas Trikasih Lembong (also known as Tom Lembong), has been formally charged by the Attorney General’s Office for alleged corruption related to sugar imports during his term from 2015 to 2016.

In response to the charges, Lembong stated he would entrust the legal process to God as he was escorted to a detention vehicle on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

“I leave it to Almighty God,” he said.

RelatedPosts

Minister Bahlil Lahadia Surprised by ESDM Small 2025 Budget

Mass Food Poisoning Strikes TNI and Police During Jokowi Tasikmalaya Visit

The case revolves around accusations that Lembong, despite Indonesia experiencing a sugar surplus, approved the import of 105,000 tons of raw sugar. Prosecutors allege this action, conducted without proper coordination or necessary ministry recommendations, resulted in an estimated state loss of 400 billion rupiah (approximately $26 million).

ADVERTISEMENT

Lembong is accused of bypassing standard protocols, allowing eight private companies to import and convert raw sugar (known as Gula Kristal Mentah or GKM) into refined sugar (Gula Kristal Putih or GKP), intended for direct consumption. Under normal regulations, only state-owned enterprises are permitted to import GKP for public sale, and these imports require approval from relevant economic bodies, which Lembong allegedly did not secure.

In addition to Lembong, CS, the then-Director of Business Development at PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PPI), has also been implicated. CS allegedly coordinated with private companies to refine and distribute the imported sugar at a price of 16,000 rupiah ($1.04) per kilogram, exceeding the government’s recommended price of 13,000 rupiah. The higher market price and lack of market interventions exacerbated the alleged financial impact.

The Attorney General’s Office provided additional details about Lembong’s decision-making process. According to Director of Special Crimes Investigation Abdul Qohar, a multi-ministerial meeting in May 2014 confirmed a sugar surplus, with recommendations against additional imports. However, Lembong proceeded with import authorizations the following year.

When market shortages emerged in 2016, Lembong’s approvals allegedly allowed private companies intended for refined sugar processing for the food industry to redirect supplies into general consumer markets.

Man Under Drugs-Induced Hallucinations Holds Young Girl Hostage at Jakarta Police Post

As a preventive measure, Lembong and CS are detained at a prosecutorial detention facility, with potential extensions based on investigative needs.

Authorities continue to examine the financial and regulatory implications of Lembong’s alleged actions. The Attorney General’s Office underscores the gravity of the charges, citing substantial state financial losses and non-compliance with trade laws. Both Lembong and CS face ongoing investigations with possible penalties, given that sufficient evidence has been obtained to justify the charges.

 

(Becky)

Tags: GKMimportMinister of TradePPISugarTom Lembong
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Sumatra Forest and Land Fires

Forest and Land Fires Sweep Across Sumatra Island with 1,208 Hotspots Detected

2025-07-22

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Sumatra island are battling with escalating forest and land fires as the dry season takes hold....

Renewable Energy West Java

Indonesian NGO Perkumpulan Inisiatif Urges West Java to Prioritize Renewable Energy Development Over the Next Five Years

2025-07-21

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesian non government organization (NGO) Perkumpulan Inisiatif is calling on the West Java government to make...

Indonesia Temporarily Closes Mount Rinjani Trail After Another Falls Accident Involving Two Foreign Tourists

2025-07-21

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesian authorities have temporarily closed the popular hiking route from Pelawangan Sembalun to Segara Anak Lake...

Semeru Hiking Trails

Indonesia Temporarily Closes Mount Semeru from August 17-26, Honoring Local Cultural Celebration

2025-07-21

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesia's Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Authority (TNBTS) has announced a 10-day closure of hiking trails...

dairy self-sufficiency

Indonesia Set Dairy National Roadmap, Aims for Self-Sufficiency by 2029

2025-07-17

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to achieve dairy self-sufficiency by 2029 to...

Indonesia’s Weather Agency Issues Tidal Flood Warning Amid Lunar Tides

2025-07-17

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an early warning for potential tidal flood...

Indonesia population

Indonesia Population Hits 286 Million in 2025

2025-07-16

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesia population has surpassed 286 million in the first half of 2025, according to new data...

Baby Trafficking

Indonesian Police Uncover Baby Trafficking Ring Selling Infants to Singapore

2025-07-16

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- West Java Police have uncovered a cross-border baby trafficking operation in which Indonesian infants were sold...

Food Aid

Indonesia Bans Online Gamblers from Receiving Government Food Aid

2025-07-15

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- The Indonesian government will ban individuals involved in online gambling or terrorist activities from receiving food...

A Drop in Temperatures during Dry Season Locally Known as ‘Bediding’ Sweep Indonesia

2025-07-11

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- A drop in temperature during dry season, locally known as bediding, has begun to sweep across...

Load More
Next Post
Security Bounty

Apple Offers $1 Million for Anyone Who Can Hack its New System

Popular

  • Mentawai Tribe

    Mentawai Tribe Tooth Sharpening Tradition as a Symbol of Beauty, Culture, and Sacrifice

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Suku Mante, Mysterious Tribe Living in the Vast Forests of Aceh

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • TikTok Shop GMV 2024 Hits $32.6 Billion, Indonesia Second Largest Contributor

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Indonesia’s Life Expectancy Rises to 74.15 Years in 2024, Statistics Agency Reports 

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Indonesia Boasts an Outstanding Number of Islands, How Many?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recommended

bengkulu indonesia Earthquake

Today! Two Earthquakes Hit Indonesia’s Bali and Lampung Regions

11 months ago

Nearly 2,000 Civil Servant Candidates in Indonesia Withdraw Over Remote Placements and Low Pay

3 months ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Indonesiasentinel.com is an independent online news portal committed to providing accurate, in-depth, and up-to-date news about Indonesia. Since 2021, we have been a trusted source for millions of readers seeking relevant and reliable news.

Part of:

Information Page

  • About
  • Editorial
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • About
  • Editorial
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Contact

  • contact@indonesiasentinel.com
© 2021 Indonesia Sentinel

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Economic
  • Culture
  • Tech & Science

© 2024 Indonesia Sentinel