KPK to Use Forestry Minister's 'Envelope' Statement as Additional Information

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will use Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni’s statement about receiving an envelope from Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby and subsequently returning it as additional information. “What was conveyed will certainly serve as additional information for investigators, whether the money in the envelope given by the Regent was related to the process of releasing forest areas or not,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists in Jakarta on Friday. Budi explained that the Minister’s statement became additional information because the KPK had previously obtained initial information regarding the collection of money by Suhardiman from several village unit cooperatives in the Kuantan Singingi area. “Thus, investigators are certainly open to requesting information from parties who can explain this matter,” he said. Meanwhile, Raja Juli at the Ministry of Forestry in Jakarta on Friday held a press conference and provided further details about his meeting with Suhardiman. “It is true that on 2 June 2026, there was an audience with the Regent of Kuansing at this office. It was an open audience. The Regent sent an official letter, it was published on my social media and the ministry’s, and there was an attendance list and minutes,” he said. He continued, “During the audience, it turned out the Regent of Kuansing left an envelope covered with a folder. When he left, I only just realised, and I immediately asked my aide-de-camp to return the envelope. I did not know what was inside.” Afterwards, he asked his sole aide-de-camp to return the envelope containing the money. “I said, go on Friday, 5 June, but it turned out he could not go on the 5th because my aide had to stay with me, assisting me, because on 5 June I was meeting with the Attorney General’s Office for Civil and State Administration,” he said. “Finally, I said, next Friday then, which was 12 June. On Thursday, 11 June, the Secretary General issued a travel order, an instruction for the aide to meet the Regent of Kuansing, and I personally called the Riau Police Chief to help facilitate my aide meeting the Regent of Kuansing at the Kuansing Police Chief’s office,” he continued. Eventually, he said, on 12 June 2026 at around 2:57 p.m. Western Indonesian Time, his aide returned the envelope to the Regent of Kuansing. However, he did not answer whether the alleged gratuity had been reported to the KPK. On 1 July 2026, the KPK named Suhardiman, Kuansing Regional Secretary Zulkarnain, and President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant Ardiles as suspects in an alleged bribery case related to the sale and purchase of positions within the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government. In addition to the alleged bribery, the KPK also suspects Suhardiman of receiving gratuities related to the release of limited production forest areas.