Tom Lembong Trial, Witness Reveals Sufficient Sugar Stocks So No Need to Import

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Former employee of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Musdalifah, stated that there was no conclusion in the limited coordination meeting among ministries in 2015 indicating the need for sugar imports in 2016. During that meeting, it was discussed that the existing sugar stock was deemed sufficient, and it was agreed at that time that there was no need to import sugar.

This was stated by Musdalifah while testifying in the continued hearing of the alleged corruption case regarding sugar imports at the Ministry of Trade for the years 2015-2016, with the defendant being former Minister of Trade Thomas Trikasih Lembong or Tom Lembong, at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Tuesday (10/6/2025).

The hearing was presided over by Chief Judge Dennie Arsan Fatrika. In addition to Musdalifah, the public prosecutor also presented another witness, namely the Chairman of the Indonesian People's Sugarcane Farmers Association (APTRI), Soemitro Samadikoen.

It is known that in the indictment, the public prosecutor questioned the actions of Tom Lembong in issuing the Import Acknowledgment/Approval Letter for Raw Crystal Sugar (GKM) for the period of 2015-2016 without being based on a limited inter-ministerial coordination meeting or rakortas.

The public prosecutor also examined the contents of the inter-ministerial coordination meeting held in 2015. According to the prosecutor, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and technical ministries such as the Ministry of Trade had conducted coordination meetings on May 12, December 17, and December 28 in 2015.

"Indeed, Sir, because in May we discussed the availability of essential goods in anticipation of the Idul Fitri holiday. At that time, for the Idul Fitri celebration, there was no need for imports as the sugar stock was sufficient. Therefore, there is no need for imports to be carried out in relation to this Idul Fitri," said Musdalifah.

During the meetings held on December 17 and 28, there was indeed a discussion regarding the plan to import raw sugar. At that time, the import of raw sugar was intended to prevent foreign products from directly competing with domestic sugar. This means to enhance added value for the domestic industry.

Nevertheless, Musdalifah stated that ultimately the conclusions from the two meetings did not indicate any need for the importation of raw sugar to be carried out in 2016.

The prosecutor then mentioned the coordination meeting in April 2016. The prosecutor asked whether during that meeting Tom Lembong had provided a report regarding the approval of sugar imports. This is because, on January 20, 2016, Tom Lembong issued a letter of approval for the importation of raw sugar to 10 refining sugar companies.

According to Musdalifah, the company that has been importing sugar is only PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PPI). Her party also regularly receives information from PPI regarding the sugar imports being conducted.

"Regarding its implementation, through refined sugar, we do not recall specific information related to that matter. However, from the report we presented during the coordination meeting in April, we stated that 200,000 tons have already been realized by PPI," said Musdalifah.

He also admitted that he did not know the reason why the Ministry of Trade gave permission to private refining companies to import sugar.

"We only know that PPI is the one importing because, as we always evaluate, it is the availability and price of sugar leading up to the holiday since April is approaching the holiday of 2016," said Musdalifah.

Meanwhile, another witness, the Chairman of the Indonesian People's Sugarcane Farmers Association (APTRI) Soemitro Samadikoen, stated that based on the records held by his organization, sugar production in 2015 reached over 2.4 million tons. When compared to national demand, this amount is considered still insufficient.

However, they claimed to be unaware of the government's steps to import sugar in order to meet the national sugar stock. This is because they have rarely been involved in meetings with the government. This follows the dissolution of the Indonesian Sugar Council, which has been inactive since 2014. In fact, the Indonesian Sugar Council was established based on Presidential Decree Number 63 of 2003.

"Well, let me explain, Sir, in 2014 our new government was inaugurated with President Joko Widodo. We clearly remember that he issued a policy to dissolve institutions that were deemed unnecessary at that time. I do not know the reasons behind it. Among those dissolved was the Indonesian Sugar Council," said Soemitro.

According to Soemitro, before being disbanded, the Indonesian Sugar Council forum was always involved and invited by the government to discuss national sugar needs.

"At least once we were invited to calculate how much is our production? What is the remaining production from last year? What are our needs? How much do we want to import? That was discussed there even though it was not necessarily to be used, but we were invited. Since the Sugar Council was dissolved, we have not been invited anymore," said Soemitro.

In this case, Tom Lembong is accused of enriching others, resulting in state losses amounting to Rp 515.4 billion. In his explanation, the public prosecutor stated that Tom issued import approval letters for raw crystal sugar for the period of 2015-2016 to parties from 10 private companies.

There are 10 individuals who are said to have benefited from the alleged corruption case involving sugar imports, including Tonny Wijaya as the President Director of PT Angels Product (Rp 144.1 billion), Wisnu Hendraningrat as the President Director of PT Andalan Furnindo (Rp 41.8 billion), Hansen Setiawan as the President Director of PT Sentra Usahatama Jaya (Rp 36.8 billion), and Indra Suryaningrat as the President Director of PT Medan Sugar Industry (Rp 64.5 billion).

Next, Then Surianto Eka Prasetyo as the Director of PT Makassar Tene (Rp 31.1 billion), Hendrogianto Antonio Tiwon as the Director of PT Duta Sugar International (Rp 41.2 billion), Ali Sanjaya B as the President Director of PT Kebun Tebu Mas (Rp 47.8 billion), Hans Falita Hutama as the President Director of PT Berkah Manis Makmur (Rp 74.5 billion), Eka Sapanca as the Director of PT Permata Dunia Sukses Utama (Rp 26.1 billion), and Ramakrishna Prasad Venkatesha Murthy through PT Dharmapala Usaha Sukses (Rp 5.9 billion).