Drama as Lebak Regent and Deputy Clash Over Former Inmate Status
The dispute between Lebak Regent Hasbi Asyidiki Jayabaya and Lebak Deputy Regent Amir Hamzah has caused a stir. The two are at odds because Hasbi alluded to Amir’s status as a former convict.
Compiled by detikcom on Wednesday (1/4/2026), the tension between the Regent and Deputy Regent of Lebak occurred during a halal bihalal event held at the Regent’s Office Pavilion on Monday (30/3). Initially, Hasbi gave a speech and instructions to civil servants (ASN) to carry out their duties and functions in accordance with applicable regulations.
Hasbi then addressed the authority of the deputy regent’s position, claiming that Amir often meets with department heads. He stated that according to Article 66 of Law No. 20 of 2023 on ASN, the deputy regent has limitations in coordinating with OPD ranks.
“The deputy regent in the ASN Law Article 66 has clear duties; they must not meddle with department heads at their homes. That article states that if delegated or the regent is indisposed, that is the deputy regent’s only task,” 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 former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Akil Mochtar.
“At least a former inmate becomes deputy regent; be grateful,” Hasbi said in front of Amir.
In response to the statement, Amir immediately stood from his chair and tried to approach Hasbi. ASN who witnessed the incident tried to hold Amir back to prevent a brawl. After that, Amir left the event venue.
A Brief on Amir Hamzah’s Case
For context, Amir Hamzah previously served as Deputy Regent of Lebak from 2008-2013 alongside Lebak Regent for the 2003-2013 period, Mulyadi Jayabaya. Amir then ran for Lebak Regent in the 2013 regional election paired with Kasmin.
At that time, Amir lost to Iti Octavia Jayabaya, daughter of Mulyadi Jayabaya and sister to Hasbi. He filed a lawsuit to the Constitutional Court. At that stage, Amir and Kasmin were found to have bribed former MK Chief Akil Mochtar for Rp 1 billion.
The payment to Akil was intended to influence the dispute being tried by the MK. They hoped the MK would rule in favour of the election dispute for the Lebak Regent and Deputy Regent candidate pair Amir Hamzah and Kasmin for the 2013-2018 period.
Amir was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison and a fine of Rp 150 million subsidiary 2 months imprisonment in December 2015. Meanwhile, Kasmin was sentenced to 3 years in prison.
Amir Hamzah Feels Insulted
Amir Hamzah is furious over Lebak Regent Hasbi Jayabaya’s statement, which alluded to his past as a former convict. He considers Hasbi’s statement an insult.
“When he (Hasbi) said, for example, Amir the former convict ‘at least has become deputy regent’ (at least a former inmate has become deputy regent too). That’s a personal insult, that’s why I stood up, to tell the Regent not to speak like that,” said Amir on Tuesday (31/3).
Amir emphasised that Hasbi’s statement at the halal bihalal event in the Lebak Regency Government environment had nothing to do with his position as deputy regent. He stressed that he felt insulted by the statement.
“I felt insulted at that moment because in public he spoke personally, and it had no relation to work, so spontaneously I wanted to warn him,” he said.
Amir admitted to often receiving harsh jabs from Hasbi. Even, according to him, department heads and ASN experience the same.
“This is the second time, and actually in several departments, he often speaks harshly like this. Such language is not appropriate to be delivered in a meeting,” he revealed.
Amir assessed that the current progress of infrastructure development in Lebak has been good. However, according to him, Regent Hasbi’s attitude could have a negative impact on the government’s image.
“Compared to other regions, we’re good; our city roads are good, irrigation is good, village roads, regency roads are good, our APBD composition is good compared to similar regions. But because of poor coordination, many hurtful speeches, what is good becomes bad in the end,” he said.
Amir Hamzah Fires Back at Hasbi Jayabaya
Amir Hamzah countered Hasbi Jayabaya following the former convict jab at the halal bihalal event. Amir fired back at Hasbi by bringing up his defeat in the previous DPR RI legislative election.
Amir considered Hasbi’s statement calling a former convict unworthy. Amir said the statement could politically harm Hasbi.
“If I continue to carry out my duties, what needs attention is the regent’s character; in my opinion, such an attitude is politically damaging, damaging to the regent,” he said.
Amir then alluded to Hasbi who failed to become a DPR member in the previous legislative election. He also brought up the success in becoming Lebak Regent due to the contribution of Hasbi’s parent, Mulyadi Jayabaya or JB.
“The Regent must remember not to feel victorious because of himself; he must remember, the Regent lost as a DPR candidate last time; this (winning the regional election) is a factor of JB (Jayabaya) and me,” he added.
Hasbi Jayabaya Denies Jabbing Amir Hamzah
Lebak Regent Hasbi Asyidiki Jayabaya denied jabbing his deputy, Amir Hamzah, as a former convict at the halal bihalal event. He claimed he did not intend to bring up Amir Hamzah’s past.
“Wrong, that was indeed my intonation like that. But Mr Amir once received an award from Indopos.co, that he is a former ward who became deputy regent, meaning that as an achievement,” Hasbi said to reporters on Tuesday (31/3).
Hasbi also denied often jabbing his deputy while leading Lebak. He reiterated that Amir is a accomplished former convict.
“It’s repeated enough, where’s the proof, but no, Mr Amir received an award from indopos.co as an accomplished former ward selected to become deputy regent,” he concluded.