Former Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas lembong Sentenced to Prison for Sugar Import Corruption
JAKARTA, Indonesia – A Jakarta court has sentenced former Trade Minister thomas Trikasih Lembong to four years and six months in prison for corruption offenses linked to sugar imports. The verdict was delivered Friday at the Jakarta Corruption Court.
Chief Judge Dennie Arsan Fatrika stated that Lembong was proven guilty of committing a crime. The 54-year-old former minister must also pay a fine of 750 million Indonesian rupiahs, equivalent to about $45,750. An additional six months of imprisonment will be served if the fine is not paid.
Lembong faced charges and was arrested in October for his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of raw sugar import funds.This case has resulted in estimated state losses amounting to 400 billion rupiahs, or approximately $24.4 million,during the 2015-2016 period.
The conviction highlights ongoing efforts to combat corruption within Indonesia’s trade