KPK Seizes SGD 12,000 During Examination of Kuansing DPRD Chairman

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) seized SGD 12,000 while examining the Chairman of the Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), Juprizal, as a witness on Wednesday (8/7). KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated the money was allegedly connected to a request for forest conversion. “Investigators also seized money from witness JUP amounting to SGD 12,000,” Budi said in a written statement on Thursday (9/7). In addition, the KPK seized IDR 15 million from the examination of Fahdiansyah, the Assistant I of Kuansing Regency. “The money is suspected to be related to the forest conversion permit application process,” Budi added. The examination took place at the Riau Representative Office of the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP). Besides Juprizal and Fahdiansyah, the KPK also examined several other witnesses, including the Head of the Kuansing Plantation Office, Andri Yama Putra; the Head of the Housing, Settlement and Land Office, Ade Fahrer; the Head of the Kuansing Governance Section, Sigit Purnomo; Kuansing DPRD member Dasver Librian; Head of General Affairs of the Kuansing Regional Secretariat, Marel Hendra and Deswan Antoni; and the Head of Logas Tanah Darat Sub-district, Syahferry. All witnesses attended the examination and were questioned regarding their knowledge of the alleged bribery for the regional secretary position auction to the Kuansing Regent. “Investigators also delved into the process of applying for a protected forest conversion permit in Kuantan Singingi Regency submitted to the Ministry of Forestry,” Budi said. The KPK is prosecuting three suspects in this case uncovered through a sting operation (OTT). They are Kuansing Regent for the 2025-2030 period Suhardiman Amby; Kuansing Regional Secretary Zulkarnain; and the Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant, Ardiles. The suspects have been detained for 20 days until 20 July 2026 at the KPK’s Red and White Building Detention Centre. Suhardiman, as the recipient, is charged under Article 12 letter a or 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 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. During the investigation, the KPK conducted searches in Kuansing Regency and Pekanbaru City on 4-6 July 2026. Investigators also searched the private and official residences of the suspects, as well as several other related houses, including the Head of the Plantation Office. A search in Pekanbaru targeted an expedition office. From these searches, the KPK found documents and electronic evidence. On Saturday, 4 July 2026, investigators also found evidence in the form of a 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser LC 300, which was allegedly a bribe hidden in a vehicle storage warehouse in Pematang Siantar. Investigators discovered the vehicle’s number plate had been changed. The car is now stored at the KPK’s Evidence and Confiscated Objects Storage House (Rupbasan) in Cawang, East Jakarta.