Malang Regent Appoints Son as Department Head, Hasto: Do Not Allow Unfair Practices

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto has spoken out on the controversy surrounding Malang Regent HM Sanusi’s appointment of his son as Head of the Environmental Agency (DLH).

According to Hasto, political education can indeed begin within the family environment.

However, he cautioned that this should not be used as justification for practices that could lead to injustice.

“But we also see that political education starts from the family, but the principle is that there should be no unfair practices. That is what PDI Perjuangan is criticising,” Hasto said when met at the PDI-P Party School on Saturday (18/4/2026).

“In Javanese terms, it’s ‘kurang elok’ – the father is regent, the son is department head,” he added.

He also asked the PDI-P faction to criticise the policy to avoid practices that contradict principles of justice.

“The PDI Perjuangan faction is requested to criticise this matter. Because, however, the meritocracy system must be built. We cannot prioritise things outside of that meritocracy,” he said.

The appointment has come under public spotlight because one of the officials appointed is his biological son, Ahmad Dzulfikar Nurrahman, as Head of the Environmental Agency.

In response to public attention, Dzulfikar admitted understanding the public’s concerns given his status as the regent’s son.

“Of course, I understand if the public questions the quality of public officials as servants of the people,” Dzulfikar said via text message on Thursday (16/4/2026).

“I cannot give any response except through performance,” he added.