Forestry Ministry Respects Legal Process and KPK Authority in Minister's Alleged Graft Case

The Ministry of Forestry has stated it respects the ongoing legal process concerning the investigation into alleged gratuities implicating Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni. The ministry affirmed it will be cooperative if required during the law enforcement process conducted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Previously, a member of House of Representatives Commission III stated that the KPK must ensure the entire sequence of events is clearly revealed to avoid speculation and a decline in public trust regarding the alleged gratuity. Responding to this, the Head of the Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of Forestry, Ristianto Pribadi, stressed that the ministry fully respects the ongoing legal process and the KPK’s authority in handling the case. ‘If there is a need within the framework of law enforcement according to applicable regulations, the Ministry of Forestry will be cooperative and respect every process carried out by the KPK,’ Ristianto said when contacted on Wednesday. Regarding the KPK spokesperson’s statement on the origin of funds obtained by Suhardiman, Ristianto stated that this is part of the material presented by the KPK in handling the case. He therefore suggested that further clarification on the information be confirmed directly with the KPK as the competent authority. ‘The Ministry of Forestry respects the ongoing legal process and will not comment on the substance of the case currently being handled by the KPK,’ he said.