MAKI Urges KPK to Deepen Probe into 'Envelope' Allegation Against Forestry Minister

The Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI), Boyamin Saiman, has urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to deepen its investigation into the giving of an envelope by the Kuantan Singingi Regent to Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni. Boyamin stressed that the case cannot be considered closed simply because the minister returned the envelope, which allegedly contained money, to the inactive regent, Suhardiman Amby, who was caught in a sting operation by the KPK.

According to Boyamin, the KPK must thoroughly trace the flow of funds, from the origin of the money and the relationship between the giver and the recipient, to the motive behind the act. He warned that if the KPK decides to halt the investigation without a comprehensive inquiry, his organisation is prepared to file a pretrial motion. ‘The principle is this: if the KPK closes this case, I will file a pretrial motion. Why? I have indications that the money was said to be from a cooperative. I know for a fact that these cooperatives are run by a former convict who was also caught in a KPK sting operation, with the initials EEM, during the era of Governor AM,’ Boyamin stated when contacted on Tuesday.

Boyamin highlighted the pattern of meetings between regional heads and ministers, which he suspects leads to policy brokering. He doubted that the regent’s presence was purely as an official petitioner, suggesting instead that he was acting as a broker. ‘The regent met the minister not as a petitioner for a release; in my version, he was already in a brokering position. This kind of sequence must be uncovered by the KPK. It cannot simply be, oh, the minister has returned it, case closed. It cannot be like that. Because this regent seems to have direct access to the minister, this must be investigated further. Not every regent who requests a meeting with a minister is received; there are processes involved, and I am sure this was not a coincidence,’ he explained.

Boyamin then presented findings which he believes strengthen the suspicion of a promise to resolve land programmes in the Kuantan Singingi Regency. He referred to an event on 2 June 2026, where the Forestry Minister expressed readiness to change the fate of the region through the Agrarian Reform Object Land (TORA) programme covering 3,800 hectares. ‘There is news from 2 June 2026, that Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni is ready to change the fate of Kuansing, with 3,800 hectares of land entering the TORA programme. This means it can no longer be covered up; the meeting was even publicised and the minister will resolve it. Even if he says he has not given a single metre yet, the fact is he has stated he will resolve the 3,800 hectares. This is not a trivial matter,’ he elaborated.

Previously, Raja Juli Antoni explained the chronology of the audience with the Kuansing Regent at the Ministry of Forestry office on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. According to him, the meeting was conducted officially and openly, initiated by a written request from the local government, publicised on social media, and accompanied by an attendance list and minutes ready to be submitted to the KPK if required. After the meeting, Raja Juli claimed he only realised that the regent had left a sealed envelope behind. Without knowing its contents, he immediately ordered his aide to return it as he felt he had no right to the item. ‘During the audience, it turned out the Kuansing Regent left an envelope covered with a folder. And when he left, I asked my aide to return the envelope. I did not know what was inside, but I felt I had no right to it. Therefore, I ordered my aide to return the envelope,’ said Raja Antoni.