Heated Exchange! Lebak Deputy Regent Jabs at Regent for Losing Legislative Election but Winning Regional Poll with Father's Help

Deputy Regent of Lebak Amir Hamzah has fired back at Regent of Lebak Hasbi Asyidiki Jayabaya following jabs from a former convict at a halal bihalal event. Amir countered Hasbi by bringing up his defeat in the DPR legislative elections.

Amir deemed Hasbi’s statement that a former convict was unworthy as potentially damaging to Hasbi politically. “If I continue to carry out my duties, what needs attention is the regent’s character; in my view, such an attitude is politically damaging and harms the regent,” he said on Tuesday (31/3/2026).

Amir then alluded to Hasbi’s failure to become a DPR member in the previous legislative elections. He also brought up the success in becoming Regent of Lebak due to the contribution of Hasbi’s father, Mulyadi Jayabaya or JB. “The regent must remember not to feel that the victory was solely his; he must remember that last time he lost as a DPR candidate—this (regional election win) is a factor of JB (Jayabaya) and me,” he added.

Amir Feels Insulted by Mention of Former Convict

Amir Hamzah was furious over Regent of Lebak Hasbi Asyidiki Jayabaya’s statement alluding to his past regarding the former convict. He viewed Hasbi’s statement as an insult. “When he (Hasbi) mentioned, for example, ‘Amir the former convict has become deputy regent anyway’ (it’s still better that a former inmate became deputy regent too). Well, that’s a personal insult, that’s why I stood up from sitting to tell the regent not to speak like that,” said Amir.

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 feeling insulted by the remark. “I felt humiliated at that time because in public he spoke personally, and it had no connection to work, that’s why 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 experienced the same. “This is the second time, and actually in several departments, he often speaks coarsely like this. Such language is not appropriate to be delivered in a meeting,” he revealed.

Amir assessed that the progress of infrastructure development in the Lebak region is already good. However, according to him, Regent Hasbi’s attitude could have a negative impact on the government’s image. “Compared to other regions, we are 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.