He was also awarded a fine of Rp750 million, with a subsidiary penalty of six months’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
“The court declares the defendant Tom Lembong to be officially and convincingly proven guilty of committing a criminal act of corruption jointly,” main judge Dennie Arsan Fatrika said while reading the verdict of the panel of judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday.
As a result of Lembong’s actions, the state suffered losses of Rp194.72 billion, Fatrika added.
Before handing down the sentence, the panel of judges considered several aggravating factors, including the contention that while devising sugar import policies, Lembong “appeared to prioritize capitalist economics over democracy and the Pancasila economic system.”
Furthermore, the presiding judge opined that Lembong failed to uphold the principle of legal certainty in carrying out his duties and responsibilities.
He also did not discharge his duty to ensure the affordability and stability of sugar prices in an accountable, responsible, beneficial, and just manner, he added.
Lembong was also found to have neglected public interest, particularly the right of end consumers to obtain granulated sugar at a stable and affordable price.
The panel of judges also considered some mitigating factors: Lembong has no prior convictions; he did not personally gain from the corruption; and he behaved politely and did not obstruct court proceedings.
The charges against Lembong included causing the state financial losses to the tune of Rp578.1 billion in 2015–2016 by issuing import approval letters for raw granulated sugar to 10 companies without holding inter-ministerial coordination meetings and without inviting recommendations from the Ministry of Industry.
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Translator: Agatha, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
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