JAKARTA - IM57+ Institute asked the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) not to stop at the alleged gratification related to the return of an envelope by the Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni that surfaced in the Kuantan Singingi Regent (Kuansing) hand-in-hand operation (OTT) case. The anti-corruption institution was encouraged to trace the possibility of bribery in the background of the money.
The Chairman of the IM57+ Institute Lakso Anindito assessed that there were sufficient indications for the KPK to expand the handling of the case, not just seeing it as a gratification issue.
"First, the KPK must thoroughly conduct this investigation process whether there are indications that this is part of a bribe in accordance with the qualifications of Article 12 letter a or b of the Corruption Law and Article 605 of the Criminal Code and is not limited to gratification," said Lakso in his statement, Sunday, July 5.
According to him, the admission regarding the receipt of money by the Minister of Forestry is one of the initial evidence that cannot be ignored in investigating the case.
"This is because there is evidence of the beginning in the form of the receipt of money, which is also acknowledged by the Minister of Forestry, which is a manifestation of the provision of something in accordance with the bribery offense in the provision," he said.
Lakso also highlighted the interests of the Regent of Kuansing regarding the discussion of the release of forest areas in a meeting on June 2, 2026. According to him, this aspect needs to be investigated by investigators to see whether there is a relationship between the payment of money and certain interests.
"On the other hand, there is an interest from the Regent of Kuansing for the Minister of Forestry to 'do something' according to the core elements of the delict in the bribery delict at the meeting on June 2, 2026 regarding the release of forest areas in the area," said Lakso.
He assessed that the condition had met the sufficiency of preliminary evidence for the KPK to open an investigation process.
"This shows the adequacy of the initial evidence for the KPK to conduct an investigation into this case. Do not let this inaction become a corruption modus operandi that includes gratification when the case is revealed," he said.
Furthermore, Lakso reminded that corruption allegations in the forestry sector have a much wider impact than just state financial losses. According to him, corruption practices in the natural resources sector have the potential to damage systemic governance.
"Second, the impact of 'green corruption' is very high. Various data show that the potential for corruption in the natural resources sector, including forestry, has implications for the systemic damage to existing governance systems," said Lakso.
He added that eradicating corruption in the forestry sector has actually long been the focus of the KPK through the Natural Resources Rescue Movement (GN SDA). Therefore, Lakso asked that any alleged corruption related to forest management be handled seriously.
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