TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan believes that the verdict against Thomas Trikasih Lembong, widely known as Tom Lembong, signals the fragility of democracy in Indonesia.
"Today's verdict is a sign that justice in this country is far from over. Democracy is not yet firmly established," Anies wrote on his Instagram account, @aniesbaswedan, on Friday, July 18, 2025.
According to Anies, the legal process against Tom was fraught with irregularities. He stated that this had been revealed through independent journalistic reports and analyses by legal experts.
"As if the 23 previous hearings never existed. As if evidence and logic were not given space in the judicial process," Anies further elaborated in his post.
The former presidential candidate contended that if a figure like Tom Lembong, known for his integrity, can be unjustly convicted, then the general public who lack similar access, media spotlight, or political support are in a far more vulnerable position.
"When trust in the judicial process collapses, the foundation of the state becomes fragile," Anies emphasized.
Despite the verdict, Anies affirmed that this is not the end of the struggle. He ensured that support for Tom would continue until justice is truly upheld.
"This is just one phase of the long struggle to bring about justice that has not yet been completed. Tom will never fight alone," Anies concluded his statement.
Tom Lembong Convicted in Sugar Import Case
Tom Lembong was convicted of corruption in the sugar import case from 2015 to 2016. "Imposing a sentence on the defendant Thomas Trikasih Lembong to 4 years and 6 months in prison," Chief Judge Rianto Dennie Arsan Fatrika read the verdict at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Additionally, Tom was ordered to pay a fine of Rp750 million. Should this fine not be paid, it would be replaced by a six-month imprisonment.
Although the imposed verdict was lighter than the prosecution's demand, the decision still drew sharp criticism. The public prosecutor had initially sought a seven-year prison sentence for Tom, along with a fine of Rp750 million (with a subsidiary penalty of six months' imprisonment if unpaid).
Tom was charged under Article 2 paragraph (1) of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption, which was amended through Law Number 20 of 2001 and linked to Article 55 paragraph (1) point 1 of the Criminal Code.
Amelia Rahima Sari contributed to the writing of this article.
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