Forestry Minister Clarifies Meeting with Kuansing Regent, Mentions Envelope

Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni has spoken out after his name was mentioned in connection with an alleged bribery case involving the release of limited production forest areas (HPT) and Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby. Raja Juli asserted that he fully supports the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) efforts to investigate the case. “I want to respond to the public, first of all, we from the Ministry of Forestry, especially myself as Minister of Forestry, fully support all efforts to eradicate corruption in this Republic. We will assist the KPK and will be cooperative,” he stated at the Ministry of Forestry office on Friday (3/7/2026). He emphasised that this anti-corruption stance is a direct mandate from President Prabowo, including the creation of forestry governance that is anti-corruption, anti-bribery, accountable, and transparent. Raja Juli also expressed his appreciation for the KPK’s work in uncovering the case. He confirmed that an open meeting with the Regent of Kuansing took place at his office on 2 June 2026, which was publicised on social media. “There is an attendance list and minutes, so if the KPK needs them, or we will even proactively submit what I have mentioned,” he said. The Minister revealed an interesting detail: during the meeting, the Regent left behind an envelope inside a folder. Upon realising this, Raja Juli immediately instructed his aide to return it. “When he left, I just realised and I immediately asked my aide to return the envelope. I did not know what was inside, I felt I had no right to the envelope, and I asked my aide to return it,” he explained. The envelope was eventually returned to the Regent on 12 June by his aide, Bambang Hariadi, with a signed and stamped receipt shown as proof. Raja Juli further clarified that regarding the forest area release case, no decree had ever been issued by his ministry for the Kuantan Singingi area. “So not an inch of forest area in Kuantan Singingi under my authority has been released to become non-forest area or APL,” he stressed. The KPK had previously opened the option to summon Raja Juli for questioning regarding the alleged bribery case, based on the meeting between the Minister and the Regent on 2 June, but stated the summons would only be issued if necessary.