KPK Probes Kuansing Regent's Meetings Over Forest Area Release
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will investigate meetings between Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regent for the 2025-2030 period, Suhardiman Amby, and several parties suspected of involvement. The audience reportedly discussed various proposals submitted by the Kuansing Regency Government regarding the resolution of forest area issues that intersect with community land. The KPK recently named Suhardiman a suspect in a case of alleged bribery and gratuities related to the release of Limited Production Forest (HPT) areas. The case was uncovered by the anti-corruption agency through a sting operation conducted on 29 June 2026.
Acting Director of Investigations at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, stated that a meeting on 2 June had been acknowledged by the regent and other parties. He said investigators would look into whether the involved parties would be summoned to strengthen the evidence and facts supporting the elements of the case. Taufik noted that the authority to release HPT areas rests entirely with the Ministry of Forestry, while the local government only has the authority to provide technical recommendations and spatial planning compliance.
Taufik further revealed that Suhardiman allegedly requested money from a portion of the surplus from business operations belonging to members of the Regional Unit Cooperative (KUD). He confirmed facts indicating that funds were collected from the KUD in Kuansing Regency to process the HPT release permit, serving as additional information regarding the regent’s receipt of bribes. The money collected by the KUD was reportedly derived from deductions of half of the cooperative’s business surplus for the purpose of managing the forest area release permit at the Ministry of Forestry.
He assured that investigators would thoroughly examine the alleged criminal acts committed by Suhardiman from upstream to downstream, including the process of managing the HPT area release at the Ministry of Forestry. However, he could not disclose the detailed substance of the investigation to the public, stating that information regarding the process and the recommendations to be issued by the regent would be investigated further as the inquiry progresses.
According to the KPK, the alleged corruption case involving Suhardiman is related to regional projects that impact the livelihoods of the community. Geographically, 50 per cent of the Kuansing area is plantation land, with 65 to 70 per cent being oil palm plantations capable of producing 2.2 tonnes of palm oil per month, valued at approximately IDR 2.7 billion. However, from an infrastructure perspective, around 38 to 45 per cent of roads in the Kuansing area remain in poor condition due to the tonnage of oil palm and coal logistics trucks.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo added that the agency’s action serves as a warning signal from the corruption prevention instrument within the Monitoring Controlling Surveillance for Prevention (MCSP) programme for Kuansing Regency. The MCSP score for the Kuansing Regency Government in 2025 was in the red zone with a score of 63.84 points, a decrease of 8.13 points from 2024, particularly in the area of Procurement of Goods and Services, which only scored 45 points. Suhardiman, Kuansing Regional Secretary Zulkarnain, and President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant Ardiles have been detained for an initial 20 days until 20 July. Suhardiman is charged under the Corruption Eradication Act, while Zulkarnain and Ardiles face charges under the Criminal Code.