PAN Expels West Lombok Regent Caught in KPK Sting Operation

The Central Executive Board of the National Mandate Party has dismissed West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini as a party cadre after he was caught in a sting operation by the Corruption Eradication Commission. PAN Deputy Chairman Viva Yoga Mauladi apologised for Lalu Ahmad’s unlawful actions. “The PAN Central Executive Board has dismissed Lalu Ahmad Zaini as a party member for violating the party’s goals and platform of struggle,” Viva said in a written statement on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. The PAN Central Executive Board has also taken over the leadership of the West Lombok Regional Executive Board, which was previously the responsibility of Ahmad Zaini. PAN has given the KPK the go-ahead to continue the legal process against Ahmad Zaini in a transparent, objective, and accountable manner to uphold justice. “PAN always supports the KPK’s existence in its main duties and functions to eradicate corruption, create a clean government, and uphold fair law,” said the Deputy Minister of Transmigration. Viva conveyed that PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan consistently reminds his cadres to be trustworthy in carrying out their duties. He said Zulkifli Hasan always provides advice and stern warnings to his cadres to be careful in managing regional governance. West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini arrived at the KPK’s Red and White Building in South Jakarta on Monday evening, 20 July 2026, to undergo further examination after being caught in the sting operation. Ahmad Zaini adds to the list of regional heads implicated in corruption, bringing the total to 16 cases in the first two years of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. Ahmad Zaini was ensnared in a KPK sting operation that arrested 19 people in West Lombok and one person from the private sector in Jakarta. The KPK stated the case involves conflicts of interest in procurement, project bribery, and gratuities within the West Lombok Regency Government. “We will convey the details in full at a press conference this afternoon,” said Budi in a written statement on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.