KPK Plans to Summon Forestry Minister's Aide and Kuansing Police Chief
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has opened the possibility of examining the aide of Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni and the Kuantan Singingi Police Chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Hidayat Perdana.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo explained that the anti-corruption agency may examine both individuals in the investigation of the alleged bribery case involving suspended Kuansing Regent Suhardiman Amby, particularly regarding the return of an envelope suspected to contain SGD 14,000 by Raja Juli.
“Investigators certainly need information to conduct further examination regarding the return process carried out by the Minister to parties within the Kuansing Regency Government, especially concerning the amount returned, where there is a gap, a difference from the amount given,” said Budi at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Wednesday (12/8).
He further explained that KPK investigators currently suspect there is a discrepancy between the contents of the envelope previously given by Suhardiman to Raja Juli and the amount returned by the minister to the suspended regional head.
According to him, the envelope from Suhardiman contained SGD 14,000. Meanwhile, the envelope returned by Raja Juli through his aide contained approximately SGD 12,000.
“The difference of SGD 2,000 will certainly be traced and investigated by investigators to parties suspected of knowing why there is a discrepancy between the giving and the return, including of course if the return carried out by the Minister was facilitated or if there were parties who knew about and assisted in the process and mechanism of the return,” 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 Suhardiman, Kuansing Regional Secretary Zulkarnain, and President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant Ardiles as suspects in an alleged bribery case related to the sale of positions within the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government during 2021–2026. In addition to the alleged bribery, the KPK also suspects Suhardiman of receiving gratuities related to the release of limited production forest areas.
After his name became implicated in the case, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni explained on 3 July 2026 that when he received an audience with Suhardiman on 2 June 2026, the regional head left behind an envelope enclosed in a folder.
According to Raja Juli, he only realised the envelope’s presence after Suhardiman had left the room. He then ordered his aide to return the envelope without knowing its contents.
Raja Juli said the envelope was returned on 12 June 2026 after being delayed due to scheduling constraints. The envelope was returned to Suhardiman through his aide in Kuansing Regency.
On 3 July 2026, Raja Juli also reported the rejection of the gratuity to the KPK. Meanwhile, on 17 July 2026, the KPK announced it had rejected Raja Juli’s report because it was investigating the giving of the money.