KPK Probes Meeting Between Kuansing Regent and Minister of Forestry

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is delving into a meeting that occurred in early June between the Regent of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing), Suhardiman Amby, and officials from the Ministry of Forestry, including Minister Raja Juli Antoni. The purpose of this meeting was reportedly to discuss the reallocation of forest areas and the utilization of social forestry programs.

Witnesses were questioned on Thursday, July 23rd, as part of the investigation. These included Suprapto, Head of Sub-Directorate for Forest Area Confirmation Region I at the Directorate General of Forestry Planning; Dalu Agung Darmawan, Director General of Agrarian Arrangement at the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency; and Asdonny August Satriayudha, Director of Forest Area Confirmation at the Ministry of Forestry.

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Were asked for information related to the meeting conducted by SA as Regent, the Chairman of the DPRD (Juprizal), and other officials in the Kuansing Regency environment, with brother RJA as Minister of Forestry and officials within the Ministry of Forestry.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the witnesses were asked about the meeting involving the Regent, the Chairman of the Regional People's Representative Council (Juprizal), and other Kuansing regency officials with Minister Raja Juli Antoni and his ministry colleagues. The discussions focused on forest area reallocation and social forestry. CNN Indonesia has not yet received comments from Suprapto and Dalu Agung, and Minister Raja Juli Antoni was unreachable.

The investigation is aimed at complementing the case files of suspects already detained in connection with alleged bribery for regional official positions and gratification in Kuansing Regency between 2021 and 2026. Three individuals, Regent Suhardiman Amby, Regional Secretary Zulkarnain, and PT Mitra Ideal Consultant Director Ardiles, are currently detained. Suhardiman faces additional charges related to alleged gratification concerning the release of limited production forest areas. The suspects are being held at the KPK's detention center.

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Where the meeting discussed, among other things, the reallocation of forest functions and the use of social forestry.