KPK questions forestry and land officials over Kuansing forest land release

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is questioning officials from the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) as part of an investigation into the release of forest areas in Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing), Riau Province. The officials summoned include Suprapto, Head of Sub-Directorate for Forest Area Designation Region I at the Directorate General of Forestry Planning, and Dalu Agung Darmawan, Director General of Agrarian Arrangement at ATR/BPN.

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Today, two witnesses are being examined by investigators, one from the Ministry of Forestry, of course related to the permit for the release of forest areas in the Kuansing region, and also from the Ministry of ATR/BPN.

The investigation centers on allegations that the Regent of Kuansing, Suhardiman Amby, solicited funds from members of a Village Unit Cooperative (KUD). These funds were reportedly intended to facilitate the process of obtaining permits for the release of forest areas from the Ministry of Forestry. While the Regent's authority was limited to technical aspects and spatial planning, the decision to release forest areas rests with the Ministry of Forestry, which then allows programs under ATR/BPN to proceed.

This inquiry is connected to an ongoing legal process involving three suspects, including Regent Suhardiman Amby, who have been charged with bribery and gratification related to the appointment of regional officials and the release of forest areas between 2021 and 2026. The KPK uncovered this case through a sting operation (OTT). Suhardiman faces charges for alleged bribery and other gratification offenses, while the Regional Secretary of the Kuansing Regency, Zulkarnain, and Ardiles, Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant, are accused of being the givers in the bribery scheme.

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In this context, the regent's authority was only limited to technical matters, regarding the spatial planning conditions. The decision to release forest area permits rests with the Ministry of Forestry.

Suhardiman is charged under articles related to bribery and gratification, while Zulkarnain and Ardiles face charges under the new Criminal Code concerning bribery. All three suspects have been detained at the KPK's Red and White Building detention center. The KPK's investigation aims to uncover the full extent of alleged corruption in the management and release of forest resources in the region.

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So, once the forest release permit is obtained, then the program at ATR/BPN can continue.