Tom Lembong Criticizes TNI Funding Request to Trade Ministry

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Central Jakarta Corruption Court Judge Alfis Setiawan said, the parent of the Army Cooperative (Inkopad) should not submit an application to the Ministry of Trade (Ministry of Trade) to conduct a sugar control market operation if there was no funding.

This statement was delivered by Alfis when chairing the Head of Legal and Security Section (Kabag Kumpam), Lt. Col. Chk Sipayung, at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court, Tuesday (6/5/2025).

He was presented as a witness to the alleged corruption of sugar importing sugar which ensnared the 2015-2016 Minister of Trade (Mendag), Thomas Trikasih Lembong alias Tom Lembong.

Alfis questioned why Inkopad collaborated with 10 private distributors, even though Inkopad had branches throughout Indonesia.

Also read: TNI Soldiers Until Retired General Polri Becomes Witnesses to the Tom Lembong Session

“Why should it be cooperated with a distributor?” asked Alfis.

“Yes to be sold right away, sir,” replied Sipayung.

“Why don’t the cooperative do it? You said that this cooperative had a branch throughout Indonesia?” Alfis asked again.

“Have, we have 1,000 more prim, have 22 posts,” said Sipayung.

Alfis felt his question had not been answered.

Because, even though the Inkopad branches are so numerous and exist in Battalions or Kodim, the distribution of sugar is cooperated with the distributor.

Hakim to this It questioned why Inkopad who took white crystal sugar (GKP) from PT Angles Product sent it to cooperative branches throughout Indonesia and carried out market operations.

Also read: Tom Lembong: Import white crystal sugar is option, but not available

“Why isn’t that done?” asked Alfis.

“Permission, sir, maybe in my opinion (Inkopad) is unable, the cooperative is not able to buy so many sugar,” said Sipayung.

“Yes, if you can’t afford it, you don’t need to be appointed by the cooperative by the Ministry of Trade,” Alfis said.

According to Alfis, Inkopad can control the price of sugar because it previously submitted an application to conduct market operations.