KPK Rejects Forestry Minister Raja Juli's Gratuity Report Due to Corruption Link

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has decided not to follow up on a gratuity report submitted by Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni because the receipt is suspected to be connected to a criminal act currently under investigation. “Yes,” said KPK Deputy for Prevention and Monitoring Aminudin when confirming the reason for the rejection via written message on Friday (17/7). The KPK has conveyed the results of its analysis and verification regarding the gratuity rejection report to Raja Juli. As of the writing of this report, there has been no comment from Raja Juli. In handling gratuity rejection reports, the KPK refers to KPK Regulation (Perkom) Number 1 of 2026, which amends Commission Regulation Number 2 of 2019 concerning Gratuity Reporting. Article 14 of the regulation stipulates several circumstances under which a report cannot be followed up. These include gratuity objects that are perishable, unsellable, and/or unusable; gratuity receipts reported incorrectly and/or not in accordance with statutory provisions; when it is known that an investigation, inquiry, or prosecution of a criminal act is being conducted by law enforcement officials; and/or it is reasonably suspected to be related to a criminal act. The money received by Raja Juli and reported to the KPK is suspected to be linked to an alleged corruption case involving the Regent of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing), Riau, Suhardiman Amby. During a sting operation in early July, the KPK discovered an envelope suspected of containing Singapore dollar notes. The envelope was given by the regent to Raja Juli. Raja Juli, through a written statement dated 3 July 2026, stated that he had returned the envelope given by the Kuansing regent. He said the envelope was returned to the giver approximately 17 days before the KPK conducted the sting operation 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 conducted officially and openly, preceded by an official request letter from the local government, publicised on social media, and accompanied by an attendance list and minutes ready to be submitted to the KPK if required. After the meeting, Raja Juli claimed he only realised there was a sealed envelope left behind by the Kuansing regent. He claimed he did not know the contents of the envelope and immediately ordered his aide to return it. “During the audience, it turned out the Kuansing regent left an envelope covered with a folder, and when he left, I asked my aide to return the envelope. I do not know what was inside, but I felt I had no right to the envelope,” said Raja Juli in a written statement on Friday (3/7). “Therefore, I asked my aide to return the envelope,” he continued. Kuansing Regent Suhardiman Amby, along with Kuansing Regional Secretary Zulkarnain and Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant (MIC) Ardiles, were named suspects by the KPK in an alleged bribery case related to positions. Suhardiman is also being legally processed for other alleged receipts related to the release of a Limited Production Forest (HPT) area. The envelope in question is suspected to be connected to this matter. The suspects have been detained for 20 days until 20 July 2026 at the KPK Red and White Building Branch Detention Centre. Suhardiman, as the recipient, is charged with violating Article 12 letter a or letter b and/or Article 12 B of the Corruption Eradication Law. Meanwhile, Zulkarnain and Ardiles, as the givers, are charged with violating Article 605 or Article 606 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code.