KPK Continues to Investigate SGD 12,000 Envelope Returned by Forestry Minister
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed the discovery of evidence in the form of SGD 12,000 in cash related to alleged gratuities received by Kuansing Regent Suhardiman Amby. The money is suspected to have been given by Suhardiman to Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni in connection with efforts to secure forest conversion permits.
Acting KPK Director of Investigations Achmad Taufik Husein stated that investigators are still working to uncover the full details, including the total amount of money involved, the denominations, and the identity of the person who placed the envelope inside a folder for the minister. “There are still many things that investigators need to explore, including who placed the envelope and the nature of the meetings. We are waiting for developments as the process is ongoing,” Taufik said during a press conference at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Thursday.
Taufik noted that investigators remain in the field to verify the facts and gather further evidence. They are working to establish the exact sequence of meetings between Suhardiman and Raja Juli, as well as the timeline for when the money was converted into foreign currency. The KPK has confirmed the existence of an attempt to transfer funds from the regent to the minister regarding the forest conversion matter.
“The team is still in the field to confirm the meetings, the number of envelopes, the amount collected from farmers and business proceeds, and how it was converted into Singapore dollars. This is what investigators are currently examining,” Taufik explained. “We cannot present the complete picture yet, but we have indeed found these facts.”
The KPK seized the SGD 12,000, equivalent to approximately Rp 168 million, as part of the corruption case involving Suhardiman Amby. The money is believed to be part of the funds that the Forestry Minister returned to the regent. Raja Juli had previously acknowledged that an envelope was left behind by the regent during a meeting on 2 June. The minister claimed he only noticed the envelope after the meeting ended and immediately ordered his aide to return it to Suhardiman on 12 June 2026.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the money was seized from Kuansing Regional House of Representatives Speaker Juprizal, who was examined as a witness. Juprizal reportedly knew about the regent’s collection of funds from Village Unit Cooperatives for the purpose of forest conversion. Investigators also seized Rp 15 million from another witness, Fahdiansyah. The KPK is continuing to probe the permit application process for the conversion of protected forest in Kuansing, an authority held by the Forestry Ministry, while the local government provides technical recommendations.
Minister Raja Juli had earlier clarified the circumstances of the meeting, stating it was an open audience with official correspondence and minutes. He explained that after the regent left, he noticed the envelope and immediately instructed his aide to return it. The return was facilitated by the Riau Regional Police Chief and took place at the Kuansing Police Station on 12 June, 17 days before the regent was caught in a sting operation. The minister subsequently reported the incident to the KPK as a gratuity.