Lebak Regent Mocks Deputy's Ex-Convict Status, Deputy: I Feel Insulted

Deputy Regent of Lebak, Amir Hamzah, was furious over a statement by Lebak Regent Hasbi Asyidiki Jayabaya, which alluded to his past as a former convict. He viewed Hasbi’s remark as an insult.

“When he (Hasbi) said, for example, ‘Si Amir, the former convict, uyuhan geus jadi wakil bupati geh’ (it’s still better that a former convict became deputy regent). Well, that’s a personal insult, which is why I stood up from my seat to tell the Regent not to speak like that,” Amir told reporters on Tuesday (31/3/2026).

Amir emphasised that Hasbi’s statement during 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 in public he spoke about personal matters with no connection to work, so spontaneously I wanted to warn him,” he said.

Amir admitted to frequently receiving harsh jabs from Hasbi. Even, he said, department heads and civil servants experienced the same.

“This is the second time, and perhaps in some departments, he actually often speaks coarsely 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 regional budget composition is good compared to similar regions. But because coordination is lacking, there are many hurtful speeches, what was good ends up looking bad,” he said.

Hasbi Alludes to Amir’s Past as Convict

The tension between the Regent and Deputy Regent of Lebak occurred during the halal bihalal event held at the Regent’s Pendopo in Lebak on Monday (30/3). Initially, Hasbi gave a speech and directions to civil servants to carry out tasks and functions in accordance with applicable regulations.

Hasbi then alluded to the authority of the deputy regent’s position, which, according to him, Amir Hamzah often holds meetings with department heads. He mentioned that based on Article 66 of Law Number 20 of 2023 on Civil Servants, the deputy regent has limitations in coordinating with the OPD ranks.

“The deputy regent in the ASN Law Article 66 has clear duties; he must not meddle with department heads at their homes. That article states that if delegated or the regent is absent, that’s the deputy regent’s task,” Hasbi said in his speech.

After that, Hasbi recounted Amir Hamzah’s past when he was a convict in the 2013 election dispute bribery case. Amir was found guilty of bribing former Constitutional Court Chief Akil Mochtar.

“Uyuhan (it’s still better) a former convict became deputy regent, be grateful,” Hasbi said in front of Amir.