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Former Indonesian trade minister Lembong jailed for corruption

Former Indonesian trade minister Lembong jailed for corruption

Nikkei Asia4 days ago
Thomas Lembong, a former Indonesian trade minister, was convicted of corruption at the Central Jakarta Court on July 18. Many observers have linked his prosecution to politics. © Reuters
JOSEPH RACHMAN
JAKARTA -- Thomas Lembong, a former Indonesian trade minister, has been jailed for four years and six months and fined 750 million rupiah ($46,000) after being found guilty of corruption in a case that critics say shows growing intolerance of opposition politicians in Southeast Asia's largest economy.
Prosecutors had sought seven years and a fine of 750 million rupiah after accusing Lembong of improperly authorising sugar imports while serving as trade minister from 2015 to 2016 under former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
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