KPK Says Kuansing Regent's Envelope to Raja Juli Contained Singapore Dollars
The Corruption Eradability Commission (KPK) has revealed that an envelope presented by the Kuansing Regent for the 2025-2030 period, Suhardiman Amby, to the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, contained Singapore Dollar denominations.
The KPK stated that Suhardiman allegedly collected the money from a portion of the Remaining Business Results (SHU) of 914 members of the Village Unit Cooperative (KUD). KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the money, which was subsequently converted into Singapore Dollars, is related to the release of approximately 1,828 hectares of forest area.
The funds were reportedly handed to the Indonesian Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, in early June. The release of Limited Production Forest (HPT) areas falls under the authority of the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, while local governments are only authorised to provide technical recommendations and spatial planning compliance.
“In addition to the alleged bribery regarding positions carried out by ZKN [Zulkarnain, Kuansing Regional Secretary] and ARD [Ardiles, Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant] for the Regent, it is alleged that the Regent also collected funds from 914 KUD members for the processing of forest area permit releases. The initial information we have obtained concerns an area of 1,828 hectares,” Budi said at the Merah Putih Building, Jakarta, on Tuesday night.
Budi could not yet disclose the total amount within the envelope, noting that investigators will first conduct further inquiries by examining several witnesses. Raja Juli is expected to be one of the witnesses summoned for confirmation.
“Based on the initial information, investigators require additional evidence regarding the fund collection by SA. It is alleged that the collected funds were then converted into Singapore Dollars,” he added.
On Friday, 3 July 2026, Raja Juli reported the rejection of the gratification from Suhardiman to the KPK. Currently, the KPK’s Directorate of Gratification and Public Services (DGPP) is conducting verification and analysis. The KPK will later announce whether the report can be further pursued.
The process for reporting gratification is based on KPK Regulation (Perkom) Number 1 of 2026. Under this regulation, a report may not be pursued if the gratification is suspected to be related to an ongoing criminal investigation.
The KPK has named Suhardiman, along with Zulkarnain and Ardiles, as suspects in a position-based bribery case. Suhardiman is also facing legal proceedings regarding the alleged receipt of funds related to the release of Limited Production Forest areas. The suspects have been detained for 20 days, until 20 July 2026, at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building detention centre.
Regarding the chronology, Minister Raja Juli Antoni stated that the envelope was returned approximately 17 days before the KPK conducted its sting operation (OTT) against Suhardiman. Raja Juli explained that the meeting took place during an official audience at the Ministry of Forestry office on 2 June.
He clarified that the meeting was official and transparent, initiated by a formal request from the local government and documented with attendance lists and minutes. After the meeting, Raja Juli realised a closed envelope had been left by the Regent. Unaware of its contents, he immediately instructed his aide to return it.
“During the audience, the Regent left an envelope inside a folder. When he left, I asked my aide to return it. I did not know what was inside, but I felt I had no right to it,” Raja Juli stated in a written explanation on Friday.
He noted that the return was briefly delayed due to official scheduling. Eventually, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Forestry coordinated with the Riau Regional Police to facilitate the return. The envelope was handed directly to the Regent on 12 June at the Kuantan Singingi Police Station. Raja Juli also denied any involvement in the release of the forest area, asserting that he has not issued any related decrees.