KPK investigates money given to Forestry Ministry and its return
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the giving of money by the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government to the Forestry Ministry, and the return of the money from the Forestry Ministry to the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government.
“Investigators are looking into the alleged giving of a sum of money to the Forestry Ministry, and its return,” KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told journalists in Jakarta on Saturday.
According to Budi, the investigation was carried out by KPK investigators by examining four witnesses on 14 August 2026.
Meanwhile, he said the Head of the Pekanbaru Branch at PT Clipan Finance Indonesia, with the initials PTU, did not comply with the KPK’s summons for examination on that date.
“Witness PTU was not present at this examination. Investigators will reschedule,” he said.
Previously, the KPK conducted a sting operation in Kuantan Singingi Regency and Jakarta on 29 June 2026.
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 sale and purchase of positions within the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government.
In addition to the alleged bribery, the KPK is investigating alleged gratification related to the processing of forest area release.
Afterwards, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni explained that when he received Suhardiman for an audience on 2 June 2026, a sealed envelope was left behind after the meeting.
According to Raja Juli, he only became aware of the envelope’s existence after Suhardiman had left the room. He then ordered his aide to return it without knowing the contents of the envelope.
The envelope was returned to Suhardiman through Raja Juli’s aide on 12 June 2026.
The KPK subsequently did not process the gratification report through the gratification reporting mechanism because the reported gift had become part of a case being handled by investigators.
On 8 July 2026, the KPK seized SGD 12,000 while examining Juprizal as a witness.
The KPK suspects the money was part of the money in the envelope previously returned by the Forestry Ministry to Suhardiman.