Indonesia's Forestry Minister May Be Questioned in Forest Permit Bribery Probe

TheIndonesia.co - Indonesia's Forestry Minister, Raja Juli Antoni, could be questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as investigators expand a bribery and gratuity probe involving Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regent Suhardiman Amby.

The case centres on alleged gratuities linked to the processing of permits for the release of Limited Production Forest (Hutan Produksi Terbatas/HPT) areas.

Acting Director of Investigation at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, said the anti-graft agency would summon any individuals deemed necessary to strengthen the evidence and establish the facts surrounding the case.

"If it is necessary to strengthen the evidence or verify facts from meetings that support the elements of the case, summonses will be issued," Taufik said, as quoted by Antara on Wednesday.

He urged the public to await further developments as the investigation continues.

Funds Allegedly Collected from Village Cooperatives
Investigators have so far uncovered evidence suggesting that money was collected from village unit cooperatives (KUDs) in Kuantan Singingi to facilitate the processing of HPT release permits.

According to Taufik, the funds came from deductions made to the cooperatives' annual profit-sharing distributions.

"The money collected by the cooperatives came from deductions to their profit-sharing proceeds. Half of the remaining profits were allocated to finance the processing of permits for the release of limited production forest areas at the Ministry of Forestry," he said.

Although regional heads may issue recommendations regarding HPT releases, the authority to approve such permits ultimately rests with the Ministry of Forestry.

As part of the investigation, the KPK is examining a meeting between Suhardiman and Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni on 2 June 2026. Investigators said information about the meeting had been obtained from several witnesses.

According to information published on the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government's website, the meeting took place at the Ministry of Forestry's office in Jakarta.

Corruption Probe
The investigation follows a KPK sting operation conducted in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau Province, and Jakarta on 29 June 2026, during which 10 individuals were detained.

Five of them were taken to the KPK headquarters in Jakarta for intensive questioning. They included three private-sector representatives, one civil servant from the Kuantan Singingi regional administration, and Suhardiman's wife, Suci Nitia Edwar.

The KPK later instructed Suhardiman and Kuantan Singingi Regional Secretary Zulkarnain to surrender on 30 June. Both complied and were taken into custody by investigators at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

On 1 July, the KPK formally named Suhardiman, Zulkarnain, and Ardiles, President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant, as suspects in an alleged bribery scheme involving the sale of government positions within the Kuantan Singingi administration.

In addition to the bribery allegations, investigators also suspect Suhardiman of receiving illegal gratuities related to the processing of permits for the release of limited production forest areas.