KPK signals rejection of Forestry Minister's report on Kuansing Regent gratuity

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has signalled it may reject or not follow up on a report from Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni regarding the refusal of a gratuity in the form of an envelope from Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regent Suhardiman Amby. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that one of the analyses used by the gratuity team refers to KPK Regulation No. 1 of 2026, specifically Article 14, which stipulates that a gratuity report cannot be acted upon if it is suspected of being related to a corruption offence. When pressed on whether the KPK had definitively rejected the minister’s report, Budi said the anti-graft body could not explicitly disclose the outcome to the public, but confirmed that Article 14 of the regulation served as a basis for the analysis. The KPK previously conducted a sting operation in Kuansing and Jakarta on 29 June 2026, securing 10 individuals. Regent Suhardiman Amby and Regional Secretary Zulkarnain surrendered to the KPK the following day. On 1 July 2026, the KPK named Suhardiman, Zulkarnain, and PT Mitra Ideal Consultant President Director Ardiles as suspects in an alleged bribery case related to the buying and selling of positions within the Kuantan Singingi Regency administration from 2021 to 2026. The KPK also suspects Suhardiman of receiving gratuities connected to the release of limited production forest areas. After his name was implicated, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni explained on 3 July 2026 that during a meeting with Suhardiman on 2 June 2026, the regional head left behind a sealed envelope. The minister said he only noticed the envelope after Suhardiman had left the room and ordered his aide to return it without knowing its contents. The envelope was returned to Suhardiman through the aide in Kuansing Singingi on 12 June 2026 after a scheduling delay. Raja Juli Antoni subsequently reported the gratuity refusal to the KPK on 3 July 2026.