KPK: Summoning Forestry Minister Raja Juli is Not About Bravery
The Corruption Eradability Commission (KPK) has emphasised that the option to summon Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni as a witness in the investigation of alleged bribery involving the Regent of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing), Suhardiman Amby, is purely based on investigative requirements, not a matter of bravery.
“Our measure in conducting investigations or law enforcement is not a matter of being brave or not,” stated the Acting Director of Investigation at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Friday. Taufik added that the anti-corruption agency does not summon witnesses due to public pressure or challenges. He emphasised that the determination to summon a witness is a technical authority of investigators, measured by the relevance of evidence and the construction of the case being built.
Currently, the KPK investigation team is focusing on verifying the amount of money allegedly collected at the village unit cooperative (KUD) level and analysing evidence seized during searches. The case began when the KPK conducted a sting operation (OTT) in Kuantan Singingi and Jakarta on 29 June 2026, resulting in the arrest of 10 individuals. Subsequently, Suhardiman Amby and the Regional Secretary of Kuansing, Zulkarnain, surrendered themselves to the KPK on 30 June 2026.
On 1 July 2026, the KPK officially named Suhardiman, Zulkarnain, and the President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant, Ardiles, as suspects in a bribery case related to the sale of positions within the Kuansing Regency Government for the 2021–2026 period. In addition to the alleged sale of positions, Suhardiman is also suspected of receiving gratifications related to the processing of the release of limited production forest areas.
The name of Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni emerged after he provided clarification on 3 July 20026. Raja Juli explained that after receiving an audience with Suhardiman on 2 June 2026, the Regent left a closed envelope within a folder in his office. The Minister stated he only realised the existence of the envelope after Suhardiman had left and subsequently instructed his aide to return the envelope without ever opening it. The return was completed on 12 June 2026 via Suhardiman’s aide in Kuansing due to scheduling constraints.
On 3 July 2026, Raja Juli officially reported the alleged receipt/rejection of gratification to the KPK. However, on 17 July 2026, the KPK announced the rejection of the report because the subject matter of the alleged money/envelope delivery was already part of an ongoing investigation.