KPK Suspects Forestry Minister Did Not Return All Money from Suhardiman Amby
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni did not return all of the money in an envelope left by non-active Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that investigators found the return was not complete. The KPK suspects Raja Juli only returned 12,000 Singapore dollars to Suhardiman Amby, while the amount of money in the envelope was estimated to be 14,000 Singapore dollars.
“This is certainly still being traced and investigated. Why is there still a gap between the money given by the regent to the Minister of Forestry on 2 June and the amount of money returned?” Budi said at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Previously, the KPK conducted a sting operation in Kuantan Singingi Regency and Jakarta on 29 June 2026, arresting 10 people. Following the operation, Suhardiman and Kuantan Singingi Regional Secretary Zulkarnain surrendered to the KPK on 30 June 2026.
On 1 July 2026, the KPK named Suhardiman, Zulkarnain, and the President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant, Ardiles, as suspects in a bribery case related to the buying and selling of positions within the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government during 2021–2026.
After his name was implicated in the case, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni explained on 3 July 2026 that during a meeting with Suhardiman on 2 June 2026, the regent left behind a sealed envelope. Raja Juli said he only realised the envelope was there after Suhardiman had left the room and immediately ordered his aide to return it without knowing its contents.
He stated the envelope was returned to Suhardiman through his aide in Kuansing Regency on 12 June 2026, after a delay due to scheduling conflicts. On 3 July 2026, Raja Juli also reported the rejected gratuity to the KPK. However, on 17 July 2026, the KPK announced it had rejected his report as it was already investigating the matter.