Tom Lembong: Verdict and Trial Proceedings
Tom Lembong, whose full name is Thomas Trikasih Lembong, is an influential Indonesian political and economic figure, particularly during the administration of President Joko Widodo. After holding public office, Lembong served as an economic adviser and speechwriter for Anies Baswedan ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
**Public Career**
Minister of Trade (12 August 2015–27 July 2016): appointed by Jokowi in a cabinet reshuffle, replacing Rachmad Gobel and later succeeded by Enggartiasto Lukita.
Head of BKPM (Investment Coordinating Board) (27 July 2016–23 October 2019): led the national investment promotion agency.
**Professional Background**
Lembong was educated at Harvard University (AB, Architecture and Urban Design). His international and corporate career included stints at Morgan Stanley (Singapore), Deutsche Securities and Makindo in Jakarta, as well as serving as CEO of Quvat Management, a hedge fund. He was selected as a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum in 2008.
**Post-Reshuffle and Other Activities**
After leaving BKPM, he was active in the private sector as a director at Consilience Ltd and participated in various international forums.
**Legal Case**
Lembong was named a suspect in a sugar import corruption case, officially announced on 29 October 2024 by the Attorney General's Office. He was accused of causing state losses of approximately Rp578 billion by issuing import permits without inter-ministerial coordination and appointing a non-state-owned cooperative as the implementing body.
**Verdict and Trial Details**
Verdict: On 18 July 2025, the Jakarta Corruption Court panel of judges sentenced Tom Lembong to four years and six months' imprisonment and a fine of Rp750 million, with a subsidiary sentence of six months' confinement if the fine is not paid.
Charges: The defendant was found guilty of violating Article 2 paragraph (1) of the Corruption Law in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) point 1 of the Criminal Code.
Judicial considerations: Tom authorised sugar imports through private companies, despite a coordination meeting having decided that the assignment should go through state-owned enterprises. The import permits were issued without a recommendation from the Ministry of Industry and outside the coordination of relevant ministries and agencies.
State losses: Prosecutors alleged losses of approximately Rp515–578 billion, according to a BPKP (Development Finance Comptroller) audit.
Response: The legal team stated there was no corrupt intent and that Tom did not derive any personal benefit.
**Trial Proceedings**
Suspect designation: 29 October 2024 by the Attorney General's Office in the sugar import case.
Indictment hearing: 6 March 2025, when prosecutors stated Tom had caused state losses of Rp515.4 billion as a result of the sugar import policy.
Defence plea submission: The legal team presented defence arguments, stating there was no malicious intent and that the policy was adopted to maintain national sugar stock stability; they highlighted the BPKP audit results to support their claims.
Verdict hearing: 18 July 2025 — reading of the decision and determination of the sentence.
**Public Career**
Minister of Trade (12 August 2015–27 July 2016): appointed by Jokowi in a cabinet reshuffle, replacing Rachmad Gobel and later succeeded by Enggartiasto Lukita.
Head of BKPM (Investment Coordinating Board) (27 July 2016–23 October 2019): led the national investment promotion agency.
**Professional Background**
Lembong was educated at Harvard University (AB, Architecture and Urban Design). His international and corporate career included stints at Morgan Stanley (Singapore), Deutsche Securities and Makindo in Jakarta, as well as serving as CEO of Quvat Management, a hedge fund. He was selected as a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum in 2008.
**Post-Reshuffle and Other Activities**
After leaving BKPM, he was active in the private sector as a director at Consilience Ltd and participated in various international forums.
**Legal Case**
Lembong was named a suspect in a sugar import corruption case, officially announced on 29 October 2024 by the Attorney General's Office. He was accused of causing state losses of approximately Rp578 billion by issuing import permits without inter-ministerial coordination and appointing a non-state-owned cooperative as the implementing body.
**Verdict and Trial Details**
Verdict: On 18 July 2025, the Jakarta Corruption Court panel of judges sentenced Tom Lembong to four years and six months' imprisonment and a fine of Rp750 million, with a subsidiary sentence of six months' confinement if the fine is not paid.
Charges: The defendant was found guilty of violating Article 2 paragraph (1) of the Corruption Law in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) point 1 of the Criminal Code.
Judicial considerations: Tom authorised sugar imports through private companies, despite a coordination meeting having decided that the assignment should go through state-owned enterprises. The import permits were issued without a recommendation from the Ministry of Industry and outside the coordination of relevant ministries and agencies.
State losses: Prosecutors alleged losses of approximately Rp515–578 billion, according to a BPKP (Development Finance Comptroller) audit.
Response: The legal team stated there was no corrupt intent and that Tom did not derive any personal benefit.
**Trial Proceedings**
Suspect designation: 29 October 2024 by the Attorney General's Office in the sugar import case.
Indictment hearing: 6 March 2025, when prosecutors stated Tom had caused state losses of Rp515.4 billion as a result of the sugar import policy.
Defence plea submission: The legal team presented defence arguments, stating there was no malicious intent and that the policy was adopted to maintain national sugar stock stability; they highlighted the BPKP audit results to support their claims.
Verdict hearing: 18 July 2025 — reading of the decision and determination of the sentence.