Reasons Former PT PPI Director Files Judicial Review in Sugar Import Case Involving Tom Lembong
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Director of PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PT PPI) Charles Sitorus has filed a judicial review (PK) with the Supreme Court (MA) in the sugar import case at the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) during the tenure of Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong.
Charles believes there were judicial errors and mistakes in the trial of the case.
“The reasons for the PK are due to clear judicial errors and mistakes in the decision of the fact-finding judge at the first instance and appeal levels,” said Charles’s legal counsel, Dwi Setyo Laksono, when confirmed by Kompas.com on Monday (6/4/2026).
Judge Fauzan ruled that Charles was not proven to have engaged in malicious collusion with Tom and others in this case, thus the unlawful element was not fulfilled.
Furthermore, Charles is believed not to have abused his authority because he had completed his assignment.
“Thus, the implementation of sugar imports by PT PPI complied with the business judgment rule, so there was no abuse of authority, and therefore the elements of the criminal offence under Articles 2 and 3 of the Anti-Corruption Law are not met, meaning the decision should have been acquittal,” said Dwi.
According to Charles’s camp, Lembong’s clemency should also impact his legal process.
“Because Tom Lembong, the policymaker, had his prosecution withdrawn with legal consequences. So, how can the policy implementer be punished when the policymaker is deemed to have no fault,” Dwi added.
Previously, Charles did not pursue cassation. His appeal-level decision of four years’ imprisonment was declared final and binding.
Charles was imprisoned in Salemba Penitentiary since Thursday, 18 September 2025.
In addition to Charles, several parties were involved in this case, including Tom Lembong.
During the first-instance court proceedings, Tom was first convicted and sentenced to 4.5 years in prison with a fine of Rp 750 million or six months’ imprisonment in lieu.
However, on 1 August 2025, he received clemency from President Prabowo Subianto and was immediately released.