KPK reveals origin of envelope money for Forestry Minister

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed initial information regarding the origin of the cash in an envelope brought by Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regent Suhardiman Amby when he met Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni at the Ministry of Forestry office. “The source is from the surplus of business proceeds, from the KUD (village unit cooperative), then collected by the treasurer, delivered by the regent’s staff, and then brought by the regent to arrange a recommendation at the ministry,” said Acting Director of Investigation at the KPK Achmad Taufik Husein at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta early Saturday morning. However, Taufik stated that this information has so far only been obtained from the testimony of Suhardiman, who has been named a suspect. “For now, it is the regent’s statement. Only one party,” he said. Therefore, the KPK will continue to investigate this information through witness examinations and other evidence. Regarding the possibility of summoning Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, Taufik said it depends entirely on the needs of the investigation. “We will certainly issue a summons, but this is purely for investigative needs, not because of a press conference from another party,” he said. He emphasised that investigators base every step on facts obtained from witness examinations, documents from searches, and other evidence. “We ask to be given time first because the investigative team is working,” he said. Previously, the KPK named Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby, Kuantan Singingi Regional Secretary Zulkarnain, and President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant Ardiles as suspects in an alleged bribery case related to the buying and selling of positions within the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government. In addition to the alleged bribery, the KPK also suspects Suhardiman received gratuities related to the release of limited production forest areas. In a press conference on Thursday (2/7), Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said Suhardiman left an envelope behind during an audience on 2 June 2026. According to Raja Juli, he only became aware of the envelope after his guest had left the room and immediately ordered his aide to return it without opening its contents. Raja Juli said the envelope was eventually returned to Suhardiman on 12 June 2026 after a delay due to the aide’s scheduling conflict.