Banten Provincial Government Summons Lebak Regent Over Remarks on Deputy Regent's Ex-Convict Status
Banten Governor Andra Soni summoned Lebak Regent Hasbi Jayabaya after he alluded to the status of former convict Deputy Regent of Lebak, Amir Hamzah. Following the summons, Hasbi stated that the case has been settled.
Hasbi attended the meeting in the Governor’s office in Serang City on Tuesday (31/3/2026) at around 10:00 WIB. The meeting was held behind closed doors and concluded at approximately 11:30 WIB.
After the summons, Hasbi refrained from commenting extensively on the meeting. He merely stated that the polemic regarding the former convict deputy regent has been resolved.
“It has been settled,” Hasbi said.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of Banten Province, Deden Apriandhi Hartawan, stated that Governor Andra would handle the conflict.
“That falls under the authority of Mr Governor as the representative of the central government in the region. Insyaallah, guidance will be provided to the Regent and Deputy Regent of Lebak,” Deden said.
Deden mentioned that not only Hasbi was summoned, but also Amir. According to him, the governor would clarify the matter.
“Both will be summoned. Because the governor has the authority to provide guidance to regional heads of regencies/cities,” he said.
Regent Remarks on Deputy Regent Former Convict
Tensions between the Regent and Deputy Regent of Lebak arose during a halal bihalal event held at the Regent’s Pendopo in Lebak on Monday (30/3). Initially, Hasbi delivered a speech and instructions to civil servants (ASN) to carry out their duties and functions in accordance with applicable regulations.
Hasbi then alluded to the authority of the deputy regent’s position, which he believed Amir Hamzah often exceeded by meeting with department heads. He mentioned that, based on Article 66 of Law No. 20 of 2023 on ASN, the deputy regent has limitations in coordinating with the ranks of regional apparatus work units (OPD).
“The deputy regent’s duties are clear in the ASN Law Article 66; they must not meddle with department heads at their homes. The article states that if delegated or if the regent is indisposed, that is the deputy regent’s only duty,” Hasbi said in his speech.
After that, Hasbi recounted Amir Hamzah’s past as a convict in the 2013 election dispute bribery case. Amir was found to have bribed the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Akil Mochtar.
“At least a former convict becomes deputy regent; be grateful,” Hasbi said in front of Amir.
Lebak Deputy Regent Feels Insulted
Amir was furious with Hasbi’s statement. Amir felt humiliated.
“When he (Hasbi) said, for example, ‘Amir the former convict, at least he becomes deputy regent.’ That’s a personal insult, so I stood up from my seat to tell the Regent not to speak like that,” Amir said.
Amir emphasised that Hasbi’s statement at the halal bihalal event in the Lebak Regency government environment had no relation to his position as deputy regent. He stressed that he felt humiliated by the remark.
“I felt insulted at that moment because he spoke personally in public, and it had no connection to work, so spontaneously I wanted to warn him,” he said.