KPK: Forestry Minister Should Have Reported Alleged Gratification

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) believes Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni should have reported an alleged gratification attempt involving an envelope left behind by Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby to the anti-graft body. “Yes, that should have been the awareness of the state official concerned,” said Acting Director of Investigation at the KPK Achmad Taufik Husein during a press conference that concluded early Saturday morning at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta. According to Taufik, the obligation to report alleged gratification is stipulated in Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption. “State officials should already be aware of matters that are their obligations,” he said. Previously, the KPK conducted a sting operation in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau, and Jakarta on 29 June 2026, securing 10 individuals. On 1 July 2026, the KPK named Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby, Kuantan Singingi Regional Secretary Zulkarnain, and President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant Ardiles as suspects in an alleged bribery case related to the buying and selling of positions within the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government. In addition to the alleged bribery, the KPK also suspects Suhardiman received gratification related to the processing of the release of limited production forest areas. Responding to the case, Raja Juli explained on Thursday (2/7) that during an audience with Suhardiman on 2 June 2026, the regent left behind an envelope inside a closed folder. According to Raja Juli, he only realised the envelope was there after Suhardiman had left the room. He then ordered his aide-de-camp to return the envelope without knowing its contents. Raja Juli said the envelope was returned on 12 June 2026 after a delay due to scheduling constraints. The envelope was returned to Suhardiman through his aide in Kuantan Singingi Regency.