KPK Opens Possibility of Summoning Forestry Minister Raja Juli in Kuantan Singingi Regent Sting Operation

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has opened the possibility of summoning Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni in the investigation of an alleged gratuity case related to the release of limited production forest (HPT) areas. The case has ensnared Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regent Suhardiman Amby as a suspect. Acting KPK Director of Investigation, Achmad Taufik Husein, stated that the summoning of witnesses, including elements from the ministry, depends on the investigators’ need to strengthen evidence regarding meetings relevant to the case. “Whether it is necessary to deepen the evidence or strengthen the facts of the meetings that support the fulfilment of the elements later, a summons will be made,” Taufik said at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Wednesday (1/7). In its development, the KPK found indications of fund collection from Village Unit Cooperatives (KUD) in Kuansing Regency. The money was allegedly used to finance the processing of permits for the release of HPT areas at the Ministry of Forestry. Taufik explained that the funds came from deductions of the members’ net surplus (SHU). “Half of it was deducted for the purpose of processing the release permit for the limited production forest area at the Ministry of Forestry,” he revealed. Investigators emphasised that the regional head’s authority in this process is limited to providing a recommendation, while the final decision on forest area release rests under the authority of the Ministry of Forestry. Therefore, the KPK will investigate a meeting between Suhardiman Amby and Raja Juli Antoni recorded as taking place on 2 June 2026 at the Ministry of Forestry Office in Jakarta. The case originated from a Sting Operation (OTT) conducted by the KPK in the Riau and Jakarta areas on 29 June 2026. In the 14th operation throughout 2026, the investigation team secured 10 people, including the wife of the Kuansing Regent, Suci Nitia Edwar. After intensive examination and a request to surrender, the KPK officially named three people as suspects on 1 July 2026. Besides the alleged gratuity related to the forest area release, the suspects are also suspected of being involved in bribery for the buying and selling of positions within the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government. The KPK is now continuing to investigate information from various parties to complete the case file.