Before Corruption Sting, LAZ Secretly Lobbied for Gerindra NTB Chairmanship
The Acting Chairman of the PAN West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional Leadership Council (DPW), Muazzim Akbar, has disclosed the reasons behind the dismissal of Lalu Ahmad Zaini (LAZ). In addition to being implicated in an anti-corruption sting operation (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the former PAN NTB Chairman is alleged to have been secretly lobbying to become the Chairman of the Gerindra Party DPD in NTB while still leading PAN.
Muazzim stated that this information was obtained directly from the General Chairman of PAN, Zulkifli Hasan. According to him, LAZ met with the leadership of the Gerindra Central Executive Board (DPP) several times, including with Dasco, to pursue the position of Gerindra NTB Chairman.
“I must convey to the media that while he was still serving as chairman, he was secretly offering himself to become the Chairman of the Gerindra DPD. He had even met several times, including with Mr Dasco. This clearly demonstrates a lack of understanding of political ethics,” Muazzim asserted during the PAN NTB Volunteer Inauguration and Regional Working Meeting in Gerung, West Lombok, on Saturday (1/8/2026).
The former member of the NTB Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) noted that LAZ’s manoeuvres had been identified by the PAN central leadership. This situation, he added, further strained LAZ’s relationship with the party following his involvement in the KPK sting operation alongside other suspects.
“The General Chairman himself conveyed this information directly to me yesterday. How can someone, while serving as a regional chairman, apply to become the leader of another party?” he continued.
Muazzim declined to speculate on the motives behind LAZ’s actions, whether they related to the Gubernatorial Election or other political interests. However, he assessed that such actions undermined political ethics and organisational commitment.
Muazzim assured that these internal dynamics would not impact PAN’s strength in NTB. He believes LAZ’s dismissal serves as a momentum for internal consolidation.
“Will it have an impact? Not at all. PAN is actually much more solid. In West Lombok, consolidation is becoming even stronger,” he said.
Following the internal restructuring, the PAN NTB DPW immediately initiated consolidation across all regencies and cities. Muazzim aims for PAN to emerge as the winner of the 2029 General Election in NTB.
“Our target is clear: PAN will continue to engage with the community. We are not just aiming to be second or third place; our target, God willing, is for PAN to be the number one winner in NTB in 2029. We ask for your prayers and support,” he concluded.