KPK suspects that the Raja Juli envelope from the Kuansing Regent contains 14,000 SGD but is not returned intact

Minister of Forestry (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni during a meeting with the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE), Tuesday (21/7/2026). (ANTARA/HO-Kemenhut RI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that the envelope containing the money given by the non-active Regent of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Suhardiman Amby to the Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni contains 14,000 Singapore dollars. However, the amount is suspected to be incomplete when the return is made.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said the findings were obtained by investigators in the development of the case of alleged bribery of positions and gratuities that ensnared Suhardiman.

"Investigators then found that there was an alleged payment of money from the Regent of Kuansing to the Minister of Forestry of about 14,000 Singapore dollars," Budi told reporters at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Wednesday, August 5.

Budi explained that investigators were still tracing the cause of the difference between the money allegedly given by Suhardiman and the nominal amount returned by the Ministry of Forestry. "Investigators found that the return was not intact, worth 14,000 SGD," he said.

"This will certainly continue to be investigated, tracked down why there is still a difference, there is still a gap between the money given by the regent to Mr. Menhut on June 2 and the amount of money returned," continued Budi.

In addition to tracing the flow of money, the KPK also investigated the intensity of meetings between the Secretary General of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) and Suhardiman.

Budi said the meeting on June 2, 2026 was not the first meeting between the two.

"Because investigators suspect there were previous meetings, including in April and May," he said.

"Of course, from the findings of investigators in the series of investigations, it needs to be confirmed, asked for further information to deepen the relationship with the gifts."

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 together with the Regent of Kuansing. The return of the envelope, he claimed, was carried out on June 12, 2026 at the Kuantan Singingi Police who were equipped with documentation and a receipt.