KPK to Use Forestry Minister's 'Envelope' Statement as Additional Information
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradancy Commission (KPK) is treating the statement by the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, regarding receiving an envelope from the Regent of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing), Suhardiman Amby, and subsequently returning it, as supplementary information for its investigation.
“What has been stated certainly serves as enrichment of information for investigators, specifically whether the money in the envelope provided by the Regent is related to the process of releasing forest area permits (or not),” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists in Jakarta on Friday.
Budi explained that the Minister’s statement provides further context because the KPK had previously obtained initial information regarding the collection of funds by Suhardiman from several village unit cooperatives (KUD) in the Kuansing region.
“Consequently, investigators are certainly open to requesting statements from parties who can clarify this matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, Raja Juli, at the Ministry of Forestry in Jakarta on Friday, held a press conference to further explain his meeting with Suhardiman.
“It is true; on 2 June 2026, there was an audience with the Regent of Kuansing at this office. This was an open audience. The Regent sent an official letter, it was published on my social media as well as the ministry’s, and there are attendance lists and minutes,” he said.
He continued, “During that audience, it turned out the Regent of Kuansing left an envelope enclosed in a folder. When he left, I only realised it then, and I immediately instructed my aide to return the envelope. I did not know what was inside.”
Following this, he requested his sole aide to return the envelope containing the money.
“I said, [the return] would happen on Friday, 5 June, but it could not happen on 5 June because my aide must remain attached to me to assist me, as on 5 June I was meeting with the Attorney General’s Office (Jamdatun),” he said.
“Finally, I said, if that is the case, then next Friday, which is 12 June. On the Thursday, 11 June, the Secretary-General issued a travel order and instruction to the aide to visit the Regent of Kuansing at the Kuansing Police Chief’s office, and I personally called the Riau Regional Police Chief to help facilitate my aide’s meeting with the Regent,” he continued.
Ultimately, he added, on 12 June 2026 at approximately 14:57 WIB, his aide had returned the envelope to the Regent of Kuansing.
However, he did not answer whether the alleged gratification had been reported to the KPK or not.
On 1 July 2026, the KPK named Suhardiman, the Regional Secretary of Kuansing Zulkarnain, and the President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant Ardiles as suspects in a suspected bribery case related to the sale and purchase of positions within the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government.
In addition to the bribery allegations, the KPK also suspects Suhardiman of receiving gratifications related to the management of the release of limited production forest areas.