Forestry Minister Raja Juli Admits Envelope from Kuansing Regent, Says It Was Returned
The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, has admitted that an envelope was left behind by the Regent of Kuantance Singingi (Kuansing), Suhardiman Amby. He stated that he immediately instructed his aide to return the envelope.
As background, Suhardiman Amby surrendered himself to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Tuesday (30/6) after being sought during a series of sting operations (OTT) that began on Monday (29/6). Suhardiman was subsequently announced as a recipient of a bribe in the form of a Land Cruiser vehicle related to the selection of the Regional Secretary on Wednesday (1/7).
During a press conference, the KPK mentioned allegations of further corruption committed by Suhardiman. According to the KPK, the alleged corruption involves the receipt of funds related to the release of limited production forests.
The KPK noted that the release of forests falls entirely under the authority of the Ministry of Forestry; however, the Kuansing local government holds the authority to provide technical recommendations for the release of forest areas.
Returning to Raja Juli, he acknowledged a meeting with Suhardiman on 2 June 2026. He stated that the audience was conducted officially and transparently.
“My first clarification is that it is true that on 2 June 2026, there was an audience with the Regent of Kuansing at this office. This was an open audience; the Regent sent an official letter, it was published on social media by both myself and the Ministry, and there is an attendance list and minutes. Therefore, if the KPK requires them in the future, or even if we proactively wish to submit them, we will provide what I have mentioned,” Raja Juli said at the Ministry of Forestry Office, Central Jakarta, on Friday (3/7/2026).
He stated that Suhardiman left an envelope enclosed in a folder during the audience. Raja Juli claimed he only realised this after the meeting ended and requested his aide to return the envelope.
“During the audience, it turned out that the Regent of Kuansing left an envelope enclosed in a folder. When he left, I only realised it, and I immediately asked my aide to return that envelope. I did not know what was inside, but I did not feel I had any right to that envelope, so I asked my aide to return it,” he said.
He noted that his aide was only able to depart to return the envelope to the Regent of Kuansing on Friday (12/6). He added that the aide was dispatched with a travel permit issued by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Forestry.
“On the following Thursday, 11 June, the Secretary-General issued a travel permit, a command to my aide, to visit the Regent of Kuantan Singingi,” he said.
Raja Juli also admitted to contacting authorities in Riau to assist his aide in meeting the Regent to return the envelope. He mentioned that the envelope was returned on 12 June, which was 17 days before the sting operation.
“So on the 12th (June), everyone, on Friday, the 12th, approximately 17 days before the sting operation occurred, my aide had already returned the white envelope to the Regent of Kuantan Singingi. There is a receipt and a photo. I am showing the originals to everyone. This is the receipt, dated 12 June at 14:57,” he said.
“The recipient was Dr Suhardiman Amby, the Regent of Kuantan Singingi. Using a stamp duty, my aide, Bambang Supriyadi, received it on 12 June at 14:57. 17 days before the sting operation. As my moral and public responsibility as the leader here, we had already returned the envelope left by the Regent during the audience,” he continued.
He also guaranteed that no Decree (SK) has been issued for the release of forest areas in Kuansing. He stated that he was not involved in the case and is prepared to provide testimony if required by the KPK.
“The envelope was returned on 12 June, 17 days before the sting operation took place. Secondly, not an inch of forest area has been authorised for release by me in Kuantan Singingi,” he concluded.