Kasus Korupsi Impor Gula, Kejagung Sita Rp 565 Miliar

Summary

The Indonesian Attorney General's Office has seized approximately 565.3 billion IDR in cash as evidence in a corruption case involving sugar imports by the Ministry of Trade in 2015-2016. Abdul Kohar, Director of Investigations, revealed that high-ranking officials from private sugar companies were involved in the illicit importation of sugar. The case highlights the unauthorized issuance of import permits by former Trade Minister Thomas Lembong and others, who allowed private companies to import sugar, violating regulations meant to control domestic stock levels and prices. Eleven suspects have been named in the case, including Thomas Lembong and Charles Sitorus.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kejaksaan Agung (Indonesian Attorney General's Office) seized cash amounting to IDR 565.3 billion as evidence in a corruption case related to sugar importation in 2015-2016.
• 😀 The money was recovered from suspects, including executives of private sugar companies, during the investigation.
• 😀 The case involves the Ministry of Trade's actions in allowing private companies to import sugar, which was supposed to be reserved for state-owned enterprises (BUMN).
• 😀 The importation was meant to stabilize domestic sugar prices and ensure supply, following coordination among relevant government ministries.
• 😀 Former Trade Minister Thomas Lembong allowed private companies to import white crystal sugar (GKP), although only state-owned companies were authorized to do so at that time.
• 😀 The sugar imported by private companies was processed into white crystal sugar (GKP) but originally came as raw sugar (GKM).
• 😀 As a result of this decision, a corruption investigation was launched, and 11 suspects were named in the case.
• 😀 Among the suspects are former Trade Minister Thomas Lembong and former Director of Business Development at PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia, Charles Sitorus.
• 😀 The total amount of seized evidence includes IDR 565 billion, IDR 39 million, and IDR 71,000.
• 😀 The investigation was conducted by the Directorate of Special Crime Investigations under the Attorney General's Office of Indonesia.

Q & A

What was seized by the Attorney General's Office in connection with the sugar importation corruption case?

The Attorney General's Office seized a total of 565.3 billion IDR in cash, which was the result of the return of funds linked to the sugar importation corruption case.

Who was responsible for revealing the details of the seized funds?

The details of the seized funds were revealed by Abdul Kohar, the Director of Investigation at the Special Crimes Division (Jam Pid Tius) of the Attorney General's Office.

What is the corruption case about?

The case involves alleged corruption in the sugar importation process by the Ministry of Trade during the years 2015-2016.

Who is implicated in the case?

The case involves several high-ranking officials from private sugar companies, including former Minister of Trade, Thomas Lembong, and Charles Sitorus, the former Director of Business Development at PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia.

What specific action did Thomas Lembong take that is under investigation?

Thomas Lembong allegedly gave permission to private companies to import sugar, contrary to the regulation that only state-owned enterprises (BUMN) were allowed to do so.

What regulation did Thomas Lembong reportedly violate?

Thomas Lembong is believed to have violated a regulation that stipulated only BUMN companies were allowed to import refined white sugar (GKP) based on domestic needs agreed upon in inter-ministerial coordination meetings.

What was the effect of the unauthorized sugar importation by private companies?

Private companies imported refined crystal sugar (GKM) which was later processed into refined white sugar (GKP), despite a shortage of GKP that should have been imported by BUMN.

How many suspects have been identified in the case?

The Attorney General's Office has identified 11 suspects in the case.

What specific amount of money was involved in the seizure?

The seized amount was 565.3 billion IDR, plus an additional 39 million IDR and 71,000 USD.

What role did the Attorney General's Office play in the investigation?

The Attorney General's Office, specifically its Special Crimes Division, led the investigation, conducted the seizure of assets, and made the announcements regarding the suspects and funds involved.