KPK Reveals Kuansing Regent Handled 12,500 SGD to Kemenhut Officials Other than Raja Juli

KPK spokesperson, Budi Prasetyo/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed allegations of the provision of money in the amount of 12,500 Singapore dollars (SGD) from the non-active Regent of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Suhardiman Amby to an official at the Ministry of Forestry. This incident occurred before the provision of money to the Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said that the finding of another money transfer was obtained by investigators from a witness in the investigation of the alleged bribery of positions and gratuities that ensnared Suhardiman.

"Investigators found that in addition to the alleged provision of money from the Regent of Kuansing to the Minister of Forestry, a total of around 14,000 Singapore dollars, there were allegedly other gifts made by officials in the Kuansing Regency to parties in the Ministry of Forestry," said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo to reporters at the KPK Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Wednesday, August 5.

"Where the alleged giving was carried out previously, namely around May, a total of around 12,500 Singapore dollars," he continued.

Budi said the alleged gift was related to the management of the release of limited production forest areas in Kuantan Singingi Regency.

"This means that this also confirms that the provision from the Kuansing Regency Government to parties in the Ministry of Forestry related to the issuance of forest area permits, that the provision made by the regent to the minister was not the first provision. That is, there was a previous provision," he said.

Even so, the KPK has not revealed the identity of the Forestry Ministry official who is suspected of receiving the money. Investigators also confirmed that so far there has been no return of money from the parties concerned.

In addition to the alleged money, investigators also investigated the intensity of communication between Suhardiman and Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni.

Budi said the meeting between the two on June 2, 2026 was not the first. "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 and the Regent of Kuansing together.

The return of the envelope, he claimed, was made on June 12, 2026 at the Kuantan Singingi Police who were equipped with documentation and receipts.