Former KPK Investigator Questions Timing of Minister Raja Juli's Gratuity Report

A former KPK investigator, Praswad Nugraha, has responded to the controversy surrounding Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni’s report of receiving an envelope of money, which was filed after the KPK arrested Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) District Head Suhardiman Amby in a sting operation. Praswad stressed that returning the money does not automatically eliminate the criminal element if the payment had a specific purpose from the outset, as there is a clear link between the money and a request for forest land release that was being processed. “Therefore, this incident cannot be viewed as ordinary gratuity, but rather has the characteristics of bribery because there is a background and purpose for the gift. In bribery cases, returning the money is not a reason that eliminates criminal liability,” Praswad said on Wednesday (8/7/2026).

Praswad stated that the report, made after the sting operation, raises questions about its motive and timing. Under the gratuity reporting mechanism, the goods or money received must be handed over to the KPK for examination and status determination. “If the money has been returned to the giver before being handed over to the KPK, then the gratuity reporting process becomes irrelevant because the object being reported is no longer in the possession of the reporter,” he said. He also questioned why the report was only made after the OTT in Kuansing, adding that it is reasonable for the public to ask why the report was not made at the time of receipt.

Praswad emphasised that if an incident already has indications of bribery and is being processed as such, the gratuity reporting mechanism cannot be used to eliminate or alter the nature of the case. This is in accordance with KPK Regulation Number 1 of 2026. Article 14 paragraph (1) letter c stipulates that a gratuity report will not be followed up if it is known that an investigation, inquiry, or prosecution is being conducted by law enforcement. Furthermore, Article 14 paragraph (1) letter d states that a gratuity report will not be followed up if it is reasonably suspected to be related to a criminal act, while Article 15 regulates that in such conditions, the KPK forwards the information to the relevant authorities to be processed according to legal provisions. “Thus, a gratuity report cannot be used as an instrument to change an alleged bribery case into a mere gratuity matter or to avoid legal proceedings,” Praswad said. The KPK previously revealed that Minister Raja Juli Antoni had reported a gratuity rejection on Friday (3/7/2026) concerning an attempt by Kuansing District Head Suhardiman Amby to give a gratuity, although the report was made only after the sting operation that named Suhardiman a suspect.