Kemenhut and ATR/BPN Officials Investigated by the KPK Regarding Alleged Bribery in Kuansing Regency

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) examined two ministry officials as witnesses today, July 23. The examination is related to alleged corruption in the form of bribes for filling positions and receiving gratification in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau.

The two witnesses examined were Suprapto as the Head of the Forestry Area Validation Sub-Directorate of the Regional Forestry Directorate and Dalu Agung Darmawan as the Director General of Agrarian Planning of the Ministry of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN).

"The examination was carried out at the KPK's Merah Putih building," KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo told reporters in a written statement, Thursday, July 23.

These two witnesses have fulfilled the call of the investigators and are still undergoing examination. However, Budi has not detailed the information needed from them.

Meanwhile, the acting director of the KPK Investigation Directorate, Achmad Taufik Husein, said that the investigation into the alleged bribery in Kuansing Regency was still ongoing. The search for evidence of the actions of the non-active Regent Suhardiman Amby et al who were caught in the hand-capture operation (OTT) and the provision of envelopes to the Minister of Forestry (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni continues.

"Whether there is a request or what it is, yes, it is being investigated," Taufik told reporters quoted on Monday, July 13.

Taufik explained that investigators had obtained Suhardiman's confession about the provision related to the management of permits for the release of the Terbata Production Forest (HPT) area.

The money was allegedly from farmers who were members of the village unit cooperative (KUD). "Whether it then brings with the intention to be related to the request for a recommendation or not, it depends on the process that is underway," he said.

As previously reported, the KPK named three people as suspects in the alleged bribery of the filling of the Kuansing Regent's post after conducting a hand-in-hand operation (OTT) on Monday, June 29. They are Kuansing Regent Suhardiman Amby, Kuansing Regent Zulkarnain, and Ardiles as President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant.

In the construction of the case, Suhardiman allegedly asked for one unit of Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR-S worth around Rp2.05 billion to the participants of the selection for the position of the Regional Secretary.

The request was fulfilled by Zulkarnain who bought the vehicle through a credit scheme using Ardiles' identity for financing applications.

The KPK also found other alleged receipts made by Suhardiman related to the process of releasing Limited Production Forest (HPT) areas. Investigators are said to be tracing the amount of receipts, the mechanism of giving to the party suspected of receiving at the Ministry of Forestry.

Meanwhile, Raja Juli, in a press conference after the silent operation was held, admitted that the Regent of Kuansing Suhardiman Amby had left a sealed envelope after an audience at the Ministry of Forestry on June 2, 2026.

He then ordered his aide to return the envelope on June 5, 2026. However, the plan was delayed because his aide had to accompany him in the agenda of the service.

Furthermore, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Forestry then issued a letter of assignment to his aide on June 11, 2026. In addition, Raja Juli admitted that he contacted the Riau Police Chief to help bring his aide and the Regent of Kuansing together.

The return of the envelope, he claimed, was made on June 12, 2026 at the Kuantan Singingi Police and was documented and accompanied by a receipt.