Indonesia arrests former trade minister in sugar import graft case

30/10/2024 13:14

        Indonesian authorities investigating graft have arrested a former trade minister turned government critic on suspicion of improperly granting a sugar import permit in 2015 that led to losses of $25 million.
        
        Thomas Trikasih Lembong was named a suspect and arrested late on Tuesday by prosecutors from the attorney general's office, accused of giving the permit to a private company at a time when Indonesia had a surplus of sugar, the office said.
        
        Prosecutor Abdul Qohar told a press conference, "At that time, Indonesia did not need to import sugar but (Lembong) granted a permit to import 105,000 metric tons of raw crystal sugar."
        
        There was no consultation with other state bodies or a recommendation from the industry ministry, he said, adding that the decision had led to losses of 400 billion rupiah ($25.42 million).
        
        Qohar did not say what Lembong is accused of having received in return for the permit to the company, which authorities identified only by its initials, PT AP.
        The attorney general's office denied that its investigation had a political motive.