Kuansing Regent Suhardiman Amby-Raja Juli Meeting Called by KPK 3 Times

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) met between the non-active Regent of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Suhardiman Amby and the Minister of Forestry (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni to discuss the release of forest areas not only once.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said investigators suspected that the two met three times before the hand-in-hand operation (OTT).

"The meeting with the Minister on June 2 was not the first, because investigators suspect there were previous meetings in April and May," Budi told reporters quoted on Thursday, August 6.

Budi said a number of witnesses had been questioned regarding Suhardiman's meeting with the Secretary General of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). From the examination, it was stated that there was a transfer of money at the May meeting to officials of the Ministry of Forestry.

Budi did not specify who received the money. But, he said the official had been examined.

Then at a meeting on June 2, 2026, Suhardiman allegedly handed over an envelope containing around 14,000 Singapore dollars to Raja Juli Antoni.

"And in June, which was then confirmed publicly by the Minister, there was a gift from the Regent to the Minister at the beginning of June, precisely on June 2," said Budi.

Meanwhile, for the April meeting, Budi said that the investigators were still conducting an in-depth investigation. "Is it also an initial discussion related to the process of the forest area permit release mechanism, yes, in the Kuansing area in the context of certification to parties or communities in the Kuansing area in the national program," he explained.

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 issued a letter of assignment to his aide on June 11, 2026.

Raja Juli admitted that he contacted the Riau Police Chief to help bring his aide together with the Regent of Kuansing. The return of the envelope, he claimed, was made on June 12, 2026 at the Kuantan Singingi Police who were equipped with documentation and a receipt.