Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – Nine private sugar importers indicted in a corruption case plan to request that the Attorney General drop the charges following the abolition granted to former Trade Minister Tom Lembong.
Their legal representatives revealed the plan ahead of the trial at the Corruption Court on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
"Today, as the legal representatives of the nine importers, we will ask the Attorney General or the judge to withdraw the indictment at the Corruption Court in Central Jakarta, or for the prosecutor to halt the case," said Hotman Paris Hutapea, lawyer for former PT Angels Products President Director Tony Wijaya.
He referred to Presidential Decree (Keppres) No. 18 of 2025, which grants abolition and halts all related legal processes and consequences, including the sugar import corruption case.
Hotman argued that since Lembong was accused of unlawfully enriching the importers but his legal case has been dropped, the allegations against the importers cannot be proven. "If Tom Lembong's case has been annulled, how can it be proven that our clients were enriched illegally?"
He added that since Lembong was the primary actor and will no longer face trial, continuing the proceedings against the importers raises questions about legal certainty. He called on the Attorney General to support the abolition decree in line with President Prabowo's policies.
Soesilo Aribowo, lawyer for PT Berkah Manis Makmur President Director Hans Falita Hutama, echoed the call. He noted that the importers were charged under Article 55 (1) point 1 of the Criminal Code for complicity.
If the charges against the main actor have been dropped, then it only makes sense for the allegations against those considered his accomplices to be dismissed as well, he said.
Anthony Djono, who represents three defendants from companies under the Samora Group, shared the same view. He referred to Articles 27 and 28D(1) of the 1945 Constitution, which ensure equal treatment under the law.
This initiative came from the then Trade Minister, Tom Lembong. Since he has been granted abolition, those who implemented his policy should be treated the same, Anthony said.