KPK Reveals Three Meetings Between Minister Raja Juli and Kuansing Regent
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed that there were at least three meetings involving Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regent Suhardiman Amby and Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said the meetings took place in April, May and June 2026.
“The meeting with the minister on 2 June was not the first, because investigators suspect there were earlier meetings in April and May,” Budi said at the Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Wednesday evening (5/8).
Based on the investigation conducted so far, Budi explained that in May there was an alleged meeting and a payment made by the Kuansing regent to an official at the Ministry of Forestry. The amount reached S$12,500.
Budi could not yet name the official because the information provided by a witness still needed to be verified.
Meanwhile, in June, the Kuansing regent allegedly handed an envelope containing S$14,000 in cash to Raja Juli.
“Because the payment in May was allegedly made by an official from the Kuansing regional government to an official at the Ministry of Forestry,” Budi explained.
“And in June, which has now been openly confirmed by the minister, there was a payment from the regent to the minister in early June, precisely on 2 June,” he continued.
Regarding the April meeting, Budi said investigators are still examining what matters were discussed between the parties.
“The content of the April meeting is still being investigated, including what was discussed. Whether it was also an initial discussion related to the mechanism for releasing forest area permits in the Kuansing region in order to provide certification to parties or communities in Kuansing under the national programme,” he said.
CNNIndonesia.com has attempted to contact Raja Juli via text message and telephone since Wednesday evening until this morning. However, his number has been inactive.
The KPK has named three suspects in the case of alleged bribery related to the appointment of regional officials and/or acceptance of gratuities in Kuansing Regency from 2021 to 2026.
They are Kuansing Regent Suhardiman Amby; Kuansing Regional Secretary Zulkarnain; and Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant (MIC) Ardiles, in connection with the alleged bribery case.
Suhardiman is also being prosecuted over alleged other receipts related to the release of limited production forest areas.
The suspects have been detained at the KPK Merah Putih Building branch of the State Detention Centre.
Suhardiman, as the recipient, is charged under 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 under Article 605 or Article 606 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 on Penal Adjustments in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code.