Forestry Minister Clarifies Meeting with Kuansing Regent, Mentions Envelope
The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, has spoken out after his name was linked to an alleged gratification case concerning the management of the release of Limited Production Forest (HPT) areas involving Suhardiman Amby.
Raja Juli emphasised that he would fully support the efforts of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to investigate the case. “I want to respond to the public; first, we from the Ministry of Forestry, especially myself as the Minister, fully support all anti-corruption efforts in this Republic. Therefore, we will assist the KPK and be cooperative,” Raja Juli stated at the Ministry of Forestry office on Friday (3/7/2026).
He asserted that this anti-corruption stance is also a mandate from President Prabowo, which has been entrusted to him. This includes creating forestry governance that is anti-corruption, anti-bribery, accountable, and transparent. On this occasion, Raja Juli also expressed his appreciation for the KPK’s work in uncovering this case.
Furthermore, he confirmed that an open audience with the Regent of Kuansing took place at his office on 2 June 2026. The meeting was held openly, with documentation published on social media platforms. “There is an attendance list and minutes; if the KPK requires them in the future, or even if we are proactive, we will submit what I have mentioned,” he said.
However, the Secretary General of the Indonesian Solidarity Party revealed a notable detail: during the audience, the Regent of Kuansing left an envelope enclosed in a folder. Realising this, Raja Juli instructed his aide to return the envelope. “When he left, I only realised it and immediately asked my aide to return the envelope. I did not know what was inside; I felt I had no right to that envelope, so I asked my aide to return it,” he said.
Ultimately, on 12 June, the envelope was returned to the Regent of Kuansing via his aide, Bambang Hariadi, with proof of receipt provided. “The receipt is dated 12 June at 14:57. To be clear, the recipient was Dr Suhardiman Amby, the Regent of Kuantan Singingi. It was even stamped with duty,” he added.
Raja Juli also explained that regarding the case of forest area release, no decree was issued by his ministry for forest areas in Kuantan Singingi. “Therefore, not an inch of forest area in Kuantan Singingi under my authority has been released as non-forest area or APL (Area Peruntukan Lain),” Raja Juli asserted.
Previously, the KPK had indicated the possibility of summoning Raja Juli following allegations of gratification related to the management of Limited Production Forest (HPT) areas involving the Regent of Kuantan Singingi, Suhardiman Amby. The potential summons is based on the meeting between Suhardiman Amby and Raja Juli on 2 June 2026 at the Ministry of Forestry, which is suspected to be related to the permit process for the release of HPT areas, currently under investigation. The KPK clarified that the summoning of Raja Juli would be conducted only if necessary.