Minister Raja Juli Returns Envelope from Kuansing Regent, Denies Wrongdoing
The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, has revealed the chronology regarding the return of an envelope left by the Regent of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing), Suhardiman Amby, at the Ministry of Forestry office. He stated that the envelope was returned approximately 17 days before the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation (OTT) against Suhardiman.
Raja Juli explained that he initially held an audience with the Regent of Kuansing at the Ministry of Forestry office on Tuesday (2/6). He noted that the meeting was conducted officially and openly, initiated by an audience request letter from the local government, published via social media, and supported by an attendance list and minutes, which are ready to be submitted to the KPK if required.
Following the meeting, Raja Juli admitted he only realised a closed envelope had been left behind by the Regent. He stated he was unaware of the envelope’s contents and immediately instructed his aide to return it.
“During the audience, the Regent of Kuansing left an envelope enclosed in a folder. When he departed, 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 requested my aide to return it,” Raja Juli stated in a written clarification on Friday (3/7).
He explained that the return was briefly delayed due to official schedule adjustments. Subsequently, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Forestry issued a duty letter and coordinated with the Regional Police Chief of Riau to facilitate the meeting. The envelope was eventually handed directly to the Regent of Kuansing on 12 June at the Kuantan Singingi Police Station.
Raja Juli noted that the return took place about 17 days before the KPK’s sting operation, and the entire process was documented and accompanied by a stamped receipt.
“On Thursday, 11 June, the Secretary-General issued a travel order and duty letter to my aide to visit the Regent of Kuantan Singingi. I personally telephoned the Riau Regional Police Chief to help facilitate my aide’s meeting with the Regent at the Kuantan Singingi Police Station,” he said.
Raja Juli also denied allegations of any involvement in the release of forest areas in the Kuantan Singingi Regency. He ensured that, to date, he has never issued a single decree for the release of forest areas in that region.
“There is not a single decree (SK) that I have issued for the release of forest areas in Kuantan Singingi. Not an inch of forest area in Kuantan Singingi under my authority has been released as APL (Other Use Area),” he asserted.
Raja Juli emphasised the Ministry of Forestry’s full commitment to supporting anti-corruption efforts following the Regent’s arrest. He stated that this commitment aligns with long-held values.
“We from the Ministry of Forestry, especially myself as the Minister, fully support all efforts to eradicate corruption in this republic. We will assist the KPK and be cooperative. Today’s morning meeting was my personal initiative as a gesture of good faith to assist the legal enforcement and anti-corruption process,” said Raja Juli.
The KPK previously stated it would investigate the meeting between the Regent of Kuantan Singingi for the 2025-2030 period, Suhardiman Amby, and Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni on 2 June 2026. The audience discussed various proposals from the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government regarding the resolution of forest area issues overlapping with community lands.
The KPK had previously announced Suhardiman as a suspect in a case of alleged bribery and/or receipt of gratifications related to the release of Limited Production Forest (HPT) areas. The case was uncovered by the anti-corruption agency through a sting operation conducted on 29 June 2026.
“Regarding the timing, there is a question and an answer: there was a meeting on 2 June. This has been reported by both parties, and whether summons will be issued to relevant parties will be investigated by the prosecution team,” said the Acting Director of Investigation at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (1/7).