Overview

• The Jakarta Corruption Court handed Lembong a 4½-year prison sentence for improperly granting sugar import licenses that bypassed state consultation requirements.
• Judges found the permits caused nearly 600 billion rupiah in state losses by enriching private companies despite a domestic sugar surplus.
• They reduced the term from the prosecutors’ requested seven years after determining Lembong did not personally profit from the scheme.
• Lembong has signaled intent to appeal, asserting that his prosecution was influenced by his opposition ties following the 2024 presidential election.
• The case underscores tensions in Indonesia’s anti-corruption drive over procedural breaches and alleged political targeting of government critics.