KPK Opens Possibility of Summoning Forestry Minister Raja Juli Over Kuansing Regent's Envelope

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has opened the possibility of summoning Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni regarding the giving of an envelope from Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regent Suhardiman Amby. This was conveyed by Acting Director of KPK Investigations, Achmad Taufik Husein, in response to Raja Juli’s claim that he had returned the envelope. Achmad explained that investigators are currently looking deeper into the matter of the envelope. He noted that the KPK only has the statement from Suhardiman, who has been named a suspect. “For now, the statement is only from the Regent, one party. Whether other parties will be summoned or not is a matter for the investigators’ needs,” he told reporters, quoted on Saturday (4/7). Therefore, he said, his party is also open to requesting clarification from related parties who know about the process of handing over and returning the envelope. “Regarding the return, there is the fact that other parties also know about the return. Of course, if it becomes necessary for investigators to clarify the position of the money, which allegedly came from the residual business results of the Village Unit Cooperative (KUD),” he said. “Whether this money will become an important piece of evidence to be investigated further, we will await the results of the investigation,” he added. Previously, Raja Juli claimed to have returned the envelope given by the Kuansing Regent. He said the envelope was returned about 17 days before the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation (OTT) against Suhardiman. Raja Juli explained that he initially held an audience with the Kuansing Regent at the Ministry of Forestry office on Tuesday (2/6). He explained that the meeting was official and open, initiated by a request letter from the local government, publicised on social media, and equipped with an attendance list and minutes ready to be submitted to the KPK if needed. After the meeting, Raja Juli claimed he only realised that a sealed envelope had been left behind by the Kuansing Regent. He claimed he did not know the contents of the envelope and immediately ordered his aide-de-camp to return it. “I personally called the Riau Regional Police Chief to help facilitate my aide-de-camp meeting with the Kuansing Regent at the Kuansing Police Chief’s office,” Raja Juli said in a written statement. He also stated he would come if summoned by the KPK. “Therefore, I appreciate it, and we from the ministry, myself, and all staff will be cooperative. If documents are needed, if we are needed to be summoned, I will be summoned, God willing, we will comply because, once again, this is in the context of eradicating corruption and improving our forestry sector,” he said.