KPK Seizes Singapore Dollars Returned by Forestry Minister to Kuansing Regent
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized SGD 12,000, equivalent to approximately Rp 168 million, in connection with a corruption case implicating Kuansing Regent Suhardiman Amby. The money is suspected to be part of a sum returned by Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni to the regent.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the money was seized from Kuansing Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Chairman Juprizal, who was examined as a witness. Juprizal is believed to have known about the regent collecting money from Village Unit Cooperatives (KUD) for forest conversion matters. An additional Rp 15 million was seized from witness Fahdiansyah. The funds are suspected to be part of the money returned by the Ministry of Forestry.
Investigators questioned Juprizal regarding the process of applying for protected forest conversion in Kuansing. The authority to issue forest conversion permits lies with the Ministry of Forestry, while the regional government provides technical recommendations.
Minister Raja Juli Antoni previously clarified that during an open audience on 2 June, Regent Suhardiman Amby left behind an envelope. The minister stated he was unaware of its contents and immediately ordered his aide to return it. The aide returned the envelope at the Kuansing Police Station on 12 June, 17 days before the regent was caught in a sting operation. Raja Juli later reported the matter to the KPK, though a member of the House of Representatives questioned why the report was not made immediately.
The KPK stated it would analyse the minister’s report and noted that returning money does not eliminate the criminal element. The case against Regent Suhardiman Amby also involves a separate bribery scheme. The regent was named a suspect for allegedly accepting a Toyota Land Cruiser worth Rp 2 billion to appoint Zulkarnain as Regional Secretary. The KPK also found evidence of an additional Rp 3.5 billion in alleged gratuities received by the regent.