KPK Opens Possibility of Summoning Minister Nusron Wahid in Kuansing Regent Bribery Case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has opened the possibility of summoning the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Nusron Wahid, in connection with an alleged bribery case involving the release of forest areas in Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regency, Riau. The examination would be to complete the investigation into the case ensnaring the non-active Kuansing Regent, Suhardiman Amby.

Previously, investigators examined the Secretary General of the Ministry of ATR/BPN, Dalu Agung Darmawan, as well as several officials from the Ministry of Forestry on Thursday, 23 July 2026. The examination focused on the licensing mechanism for releasing forest areas.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the summoning of witnesses is always based on investigative needs. Currently, investigators are still studying the results of the examinations of the ministry officials to assess whether the information obtained is sufficient. He did not rule out the possibility of summoning other witnesses, including ministry leaders, if necessary to clarify the construction of the case.

“The examination of witnesses will certainly be based on the investigators’ needs, and yesterday’s examination will be studied and analysed first to see whether it has fulfilled the adequacy of the information and statements required in the investigation process of this case,” Budi told reporters on Friday, 24 July 2026. He added that every witness statement plays an important role in helping investigators uncover the case thoroughly.

In this investigation, the KPK is also looking into the connection between the licensing processes of the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of ATR/BPN regarding the release of forest areas for the Agrarian Reform Object Land (TORA) programme. Budi explained that Suhardiman allegedly collected money from farmers under the pretext of managing the release of forest areas from the Ministry of Forestry so that the land could be included in the TORA programme. He noted that the local government only has the authority to provide technical spatial planning recommendations, while the authority to release forest area status lies entirely with the Ministry of Forestry.