KPK Investigates Meeting of Kuansing Regent with Menhut Raja Juli to Discuss Forest Function Change

The suspect in the alleged bribery case of the sale and purchase of the regional secretary's post, Suhardiman Amby (center), walks to the prisoner's car after undergoing an examination at the KPK Red and White Building, Jakarta, Friday (17/7/2026). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating a meeting between the non-active Regent of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Suhardiman Amby and his staff with the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) regarding the transfer of forest functions. Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni is said to have participated in the activity.

The KPK spokesperson said the meeting was investigated by examining three witnesses on Thursday, July 23. They are Asdonny August Satriayudha as Director of Forest Area Development of the Ministry of Forestry; Dalu Agung Darmawan as former Director General of Agrarian Arrangement of the Ministry of ATR/BPN; and Suprapto as Deputy Director of Forest Area Development of Region I of the Ministry of Forestry.

"The witnesses who attended the examination, namely DAS, DAD and SRT, were asked for information regarding the meeting held by SA as the Regent, Chairman of the DPRD, and other officials in the Kuansing Regency with RJA as the Minister of Forestry and officials in the Ministry of Forestry environment," said Budi to reporters through a written statement, Friday, July 24.

"Where the meeting discussed, among others, the transfer of forest functions and the use of Social Forestry," he continued.

Budi said there were a number of meetings investigated by investigators, including on June 2. During the meeting, Suhardiman Amby allegedly left an envelope containing money called the anti-corruption commission, the contents of which were collected from farmers who were members of the Village Unit Cooperative (KUD).

"Regarding several meetings that were held, one of them on June 2, 2026," he said when confirmed separately.

Actually, investigators also summoned Catur Endah Prasetiani as the Director General of Social Forestry. But he did not attend without any notification.

"The Director General of Social Forestry is not present, in the schedule. Investigators are still waiting for confirmation," said Budi.

The KPK has ensured that the search for evidence of alleged bribes and other receipts of the non-active Regent Suhardiman Amby et al who were caught in the hand-catching operation (OTT) as well as the provision of envelopes to the Minister of Forestry (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni continues to be carried out. This process is underway after the Directorate of Gratification and Public Services decided to reject the report of the rejection of the provision of gratification made by the Secretary General of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI).

"Whether there is a request or what it is, yes, it is being investigated," said Acting Director of KPK Investigation Achmad Taufik Husein to 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.

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.