KPK probes bribery by Bupati Suhardiman Amby to Forestry Minister Raja Juli

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating former Kuantan Singingi (Riau) regent Suhardiman Amby for a bribery scheme involving Singapore dollars. investigators say Amby solicited money from 914 farmers who are members of a local Koperasi Unit Desa, converting the funds into Singapore dollars to finance the release of about 1 828 hectares of forest land.

During an audience on 2 June 2026 at the Ministry of Forestry, Amby allegedly left a sealed envelope containing roughly SGD 12,000 for Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni. The minister returned the envelope on 12 June and filed a gratitude‑report with KPK on 3 July. KPK has seized the same amount of SGD from the Kuantan Singingi DPRD chair Juprizal and is examining other officials linked to the forest‑conversion application.

An operation‑tangkap‑tangan (OTT) on 29‑30 June 2026 led to the arrest of Amby, his secretary Zulkarnain and PT Mitra Ideal Consultant director Ardiles, who were later named suspects on 1 July for alleged bribery and other gratification offenses. KPK continues to analyse the minister’s report and coordinate between its prevention and enforcement divisions.