TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The chairman of the Central Board of the National Awakening Party (DPP PKB) Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar expressed hope that the appeal process of former Trade Minister during the 2015-2016 period, Tom Lembong, will be approved by the High Court judges.
Muhaimin, often called Cak Imin, who now serves as the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, hopes that the 4.5-year prison sentence for Tom Lembong in a sugar import corruption case can be revoked. "Hopefully it can be overturned in the appeal. Hopefully. Let's pray for it," said Cak Imin in Tanah Abang, Jakarta, Tuesday night, July 22, 2025, as quoted by Antara.
He also revealed that he had visited Tom Lembong in prison and expressed his hope for justice for his friend. In the 2024 election, Tom Lembong became the Co-Captain of the National Team for the presidential and vice-presidential pair of Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar. "Yes, I continue to pray. I have also visited Tom Lembong. I also hope that as a friend, justice will be shown in the appeal," he said.
Previously, the Corruption Criminal Court (Tipikor) judges at the Central Jakarta District Court declared Thomas Trikasih Lembong guilty in the case of sugar import corruption in the Ministry of Trade during the 2015-2016 period. "Imposing a sentence of 4 years and 6 months imprisonment on the defendant Thomas Trikasih Lembong, therefore," said Chairman of the Panel of Judges Dennie Arsan Fatrika, when reading the verdict on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Tom was also sentenced to pay a fine of Rp 750 million. If not paid, it will be replaced by 6 months of imprisonment. However, the judge did not impose a restitution payment on Tom Lembong. Because, he was considered not to have received money from this case.
Tom Lembong was found guilty of violating Article 2 paragraph (1) of the Anti-Corruption Law in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.
Following this verdict, Tom Lembong, represented by his legal counsel, Zaid Mushafi, decided to file an appeal. Tom's legal team visited the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
"Officially, we filed an appeal against the decision for Mr. Tom Lembong this afternoon," said Zaid to the media. "He (Tom) does not want his name to be recorded as a corruptor in this country."
The legal advisory team has prepared several documents for Tom Lembong's appeal, including a power of attorney and other administrative documents. In the near future, they will submit the appeal memorandum.
"This appeal memorandum will address all the irregularities or the judges' considerations that do not match the trial facts," said Zaid.
He stated that this appeal falls within the domain of judex facti or facts examination. Therefore, Tom Lembong's legal team will refute the judge's statements contained in the verdict.
For example, the judge stated that Tom had committed illegal acts. One of them is by approving raw sugar imports without the Ministry of Industry's recommendation. "Regarding the Ministry of Industry's recommendation, that is for industrial sugar," said Zaid. He explained that the import of raw sugar to be processed into refined sugar indeed requires this recommendation.
He cited PT Angels Product, which received a recommendation from the Directorate General of Agro Industry of the Ministry of Industry. The CEO of PT Angels Products, Tony Wijaya Ng, also became a defendant in this case. "Now, why was raw sugar imported? That is Tom's policy, for what? So that there is domestic processing, job creation, and additional foreign exchange," said Zaid.
Amelia Rahima Sari contributed to the writing of this article.
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