Forestry Minister Denies Issuing Forest Release Permits, Returns Kuansing Regent's Envelope

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni has asserted that no forest release permits were issued for the Kuantan Singingi area in Riau, addressing reports linking his name to the recent Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) sting operation against the local regent, Suhardiman Amby. During a press conference at the Ministry of Forestry on Friday, the minister detailed the chronology of an official meeting with the regent and the subsequent return of an envelope left behind after the meeting. He stressed that his office never issued any decision regarding the release of forest areas in the district. “There is not a single decree I have issued for the release of forest areas in Kuantan Singingi. Not an inch of forest area in Kuantan Singingi has been released for Other Use Areas (APL),” he stated. Raja Juli affirmed that the Ministry of Forestry fully supports the legal process being carried out by the KPK while strengthening clean, transparent, and accountable forest governance. He said this commitment aligns with the President’s mandate to build forest governance that is anti-corruption, anti-bribery, accountable, and transparent. The minister explained that the meeting with the Regent of Kuantan Singingi took place on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, following a formal request for an audience submitted by the district government to the Ministry of Forestry. He noted that the entire process was conducted openly and according to procedure, beginning with an official request letter from the local government, and was publicised through the Ministry’s social media channels, complete with attendance lists and minutes ready to be submitted to the KPK if required. “During the audience, the Regent left behind an envelope inside a folder. After he departed, I asked my aide to return the envelope. I did not know its contents, but I felt I had no right to it,” he explained. The return of the envelope was delayed as the aide was required to accompany the minister on official duties. After the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Forestry issued a duty assignment letter, Raja Juli contacted the Riau Regional Police Chief to facilitate a meeting between his aide and the regent. The envelope was finally returned on 12 June 2026 at the Kuantan Singingi Police Station, with the entire process documented and accompanied by a stamped receipt. The minister emphasised that the return of the envelope took place approximately 17 days before the KPK conducted its sting operation on the regent.