Tom Lembong and 9 Challenging Months of Prison Life

After more than nine months in prison, or precisely since October 29, 2024, when he was designated as a suspect and detained in connection with the sugar importation case at the Ministry of Trade for 2015-2016 by the Attorney General's Office, Thomas Trikasih Lembong, or Tom Lembong, can now breathe free air.

Tom Lembong stepped out of the Class I Cipinang Detention Center in East Jakarta on Friday (1/8/2025) night at around 22:02 WIB. Tom, who was wearing a dark blue polo shirt, was accompanied by his wife, Franciska Wihardja, as well as Tom's legal team and former Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan.

To the media crew, Tom also presented the Presidential Decree Number 18 of 2025 regarding the grant of amnesty to him. He also expressed his gratitude to President Prabowo for the granting of the amnesty.

"Tonight, I breathe free air, I return home, reunited with my beloved family. Returning to normal life after being halted for nine months in prison," said Tom.

Tom Lembong was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison in a sugar import case while serving as Minister of Trade during the period of 2015-2016 by the panel of judges of the Jakarta Corruption Court on July 18.

However, on Thursday (31/7/2025) evening, the Deputy Chairman of the DPR from the Gerindra Party faction, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated that the DPR has approved President Prabowo's request to grant abolition for Tom Lembong, amnesty for the Secretary General of PDI-P Hasto Kristiyanto, and 1,115 other convicts.

Tom stated that the legal process he experienced did not follow an ideal legal procedure. For nine months, he claimed to have lived a challenging life due to being detained behind bars. During that time, he also admitted to reflecting on himself, including regarding the legal system that affected him.

"I am very fortunate, I have an extraordinary legal team, friends who tirelessly advocate for justice, a family that has never wavered, and the wider public has shown sympathy and support," Tom stated.

Tom emphasized that its independence today marks the beginning of a shared responsibility, while also reminding and assisting in making the judicial system in this republic clearer and more aligned with the truth, rather than being used solely for specific interests.

"I return with an unbroken, unwavering spirit. I have great faith in this nation, in the Indonesian people; I have always referred to the Indonesian nation as the best in the world, and I love this republic," he said.

I come back with a spirit that is not cracked, not broken.

Since Friday morning, dozens of Tom Lembong's supporters have been arriving at Cipinang Detention Center. They are awaiting his release from prison.

Tom Lembong has been identified as a suspect and was immediately detained by the Attorney General's Office since October 29, 2024. Initially, he was held at the South Jakarta District Attorney's detention center. After being sentenced to 4.5 years in prison, Tom Lembong was transferred to Cipinang Detention Center.

Supporters who came to the Cipinang Detention Center came from various backgrounds, ranging from members of the mass organization Gerakan Rakyat to women who identified themselves as part of the National Coalition of Women of the Republic of Indonesia. These supporters also hailed from various regions in Jakarta to Serang, Banten.

Supporters of Tom were also seen wearing orange uniforms emblazoned with "people's movement" and white uniforms with pink floral-patterned headscarves. Both groups carried posters and banners with messages such as "Mr. Tom Welcome Home," "Free Tom Lembong," "We Stand with Tom Lembong," and "Do Not Tire of Loving Indonesia."

They also expressed their happiness over Tom's abolition by thanking President Prabowo Subianto. In fact, they conveyed this sentiment by spray-painting their shirts with pink 'pilox' that read "THXWO!".

Not only from the supporters of Tom Lembong, former Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan; Tom's wife, Franciska Wihardja; and Tom's legal counsel were also seen visiting the Cipinang Detention Center to welcome Tom Lembong's release. Anies arrived first at around 09:34 WIB. Shortly thereafter, Tom's wife followed.

Several figures were also seen present at the Cipinang Detention Center, including former Head of the Corruption Eradication Commission Saut Situmorang and Secretary of State-Owned Enterprises for the period 2005-2010 Muhammad Said Didu.

Yuyun, a resident of Serang, Banten, stated that she and other women had departed at 10:00 AM towards the Cipinang Detention Center. A total of seven people traveled by car to the Cipinang Detention Center in East Jakarta. Their sole purpose was to personally welcome Tom Lembong's release from prison.

He also admitted to attending several hearings of Tom Lembong held at the Jakarta Corruption Court. The amnesty granted by President Prabowo indicates that Tom Lembong is indeed not guilty of the alleged corruption in the sugar import case.

"Alhamdulillah it has been proven now. So we also thank Mr. Prabowo for having freed Mr. Tom. This means that the aspirations of the people are being heard by the government," said Yuyun.

The Chairman of the People's Movement Organization, Sahrin Hamid, stated that his party intentionally came to personally welcome Tom. This is because the administrative process for Tom's release after receiving an amnesty is said to be able to be completed in just one day. "So our arrival here is intended to pick up Tom Lembong," said Sahrin.

Tom Lembong's legal counsel, Ari Yusuf Amir, stated that the presidential decree regarding the granting of amnesty for Tom, to free him, has been signed by President Prabowo on Friday afternoon. He received this information from the Deputy Speaker of the DPR from the Gerindra Party faction, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.

"Because this Presidential Decree is dated August 1, 2025, it must also be issued on this date according to legal procedures, so it is today as well," said Ari.

According to Ari, since Friday morning, the legal advisory team has been continuously accompanying Tom Lembong in managing the release process at the Cipinang Detention Center. While packing his personal belongings, Tom Lembong was reported to have interacted frequently with other detainees. Many other detainees intentionally approached Tom, simultaneously requesting mementos from him.

"Many other detainees are asking for some kind of memento from Mr. Tom, letters for his children, his wife, for relatives who are taking exams, there are many," said Ari, recounting Tom's preparations before leaving Cipinang Prison.

Ari emphasized that this abolition is not merely about freeing someone from criminal charges, but also about restoring the dignity that was forcibly and unjustly taken away. This decision simultaneously serves as a reaffirmation that Tom is not a corruptor, as has been attempted to be portrayed by misleading narratives during the legal proceedings of this case.

"Tom Lembong does not need to admit anything and does not need to apologize to any party," he said. 

According to Ari, Tom Lembong is a figure who has made significant contributions to the country, both in his capacity as a public official and as a visionary thinker and economic policy actor.

"This abolition is evidence that the state still has the space to acknowledge its mistakes and restore the dignity of its citizens who have been treated unjustly," said Ari.