Iqbal Urges Public Not to Judge West Lombok Regent Following KPK Sting Operation
The Governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, has asked the public not to judge West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini (LAZ), who was caught in a sting operation (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) along with eight other individuals on Monday (20/7/2026).
“So, give the legal process the opportunity to run according to procedure. Do not overstep the existing legal process. Do not make judgements, do not engage in trial by press,” said Iqbal when met in Mataram on Tuesday (21/7/2026).
Iqbal said the sting operation carried out by the anti-corruption body must be respected. According to him, the entire legal process must be allowed to proceed until KPK investigators announce their conclusions.
“We await the conclusions of law enforcement, the KPK, and later there will also be judicial proceedings and so on. We must carry on with life, and this is an important lesson for other regencies and cities, and indeed for the province, for all of us,” said the former Indonesian Ambassador to Türkiye.
According to Iqbal, the sting operation that ensnared eight people in West Lombok must serve as a wake-up call for all officials in NTB. He therefore stressed that governance must be carried out properly with the principle of good governance at the forefront.
“Let us make this the last such incident we witness. We do not want any more surprises like this,” he said.
In the 68 years since West Lombok Regency was established, three of its regents have been arrested by the KPK. According to Iqbal, this shows that the bureaucracy in West Lombok needs comprehensive reform.
“Reform is indeed needed, and I hope that for the time being, those carrying out duties there — Pak Adha, the Deputy Regent — can be at the forefront of this reform effort,” he asserted.
Iqbal once again reminded the public to respect the ongoing legal process at the KPK. He asked all segments of society not to pre-empt the legal proceedings still under way.
“The point is, for the people of NTB, we are all shocked by this incident. Let us just wait. I have repeatedly urged everyone to carry out governance with the principle of good governance,” he concluded.
Previously, the KPK sealed two offices of key officials of the West Lombok Regency Government on Monday (20/7/2026). The offices of West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini (LAZ) and the head of the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Areas Agency (PUPRPKP), Lalu Ratnawo, were taped off with a notice reading ‘Do not cross the boundary line’.
The KPK has also named a suspect in the sting operation case involving West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini (LAZ). However, the KPK has not disclosed the suspect’s identity or the construction of the case under investigation.
“Regarding the covert investigation activities in West Lombok Regency, an exposure was held last night and it was decided that this case has been elevated to the investigation stage,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told reporters on Tuesday (21/7/2026), as reported by detikNews.