West Lombok Regent's OTT: MAKI Slams Regional Heads Acting Like 'Petty Kings'
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named West Lombok Regent Lalu Zai Ahmad Zaini a suspect in a corruption case involving project manipulation and bribery. The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) believes the regent’s actions were driven by greed after his rise in status.
MAKI Coordinator Boyamin Saiman stated there are three factors behind corruption by regional heads. He argued that greed is the primary factor, with the need to recoup political costs only coming third. ‘It is true that high political costs are a factor in corruption, but that is number three. Number one is greed. Number two is the need to return capital,’ Boyamin said when contacted on Wednesday (22/7/2026).
Boyamin assessed that greed is the main factor driving regional heads to commit corruption. He said these officials always feel like they have become petty kings. ‘So it is greed, those who are rich want to be richer, those who are not yet rich want to be rich, and those considered poor want to be rich. That is the typical regional head. Because by becoming a regent, he becomes a petty king, with a protocol officer, an aide-de-camp, an official residence, and he can really show off,’ he said.
He stated that regional heads feel their status has been elevated because of the facilities provided. Consequently, the notion arises that they are entitled to take and ask for anything. ‘So, this is what makes them feel like their status has risen. Because their status has risen, they feel entitled to take anything, to ask for anything. So, because of greed, they accept everything. Shoes were accepted, a car was accepted, even a sacrificial cow for the sake of a good name was accepted, even though it was the result of corruption,’ he said.
Nonetheless, Boyamin also acknowledged the thought that regional heads should no longer be elected through regional elections due to high political costs. He continued that this factor is also influenced by greed and arrogance. ‘Because of what? High political costs, and they also feel that because their status has risen, they are entitled to luxury goods like an Alphard, then Hermes, and then many sacrificial cows, they feel their status is rising further. So, I think this is something that really makes them corrupt because, as I said: first is greed, second is recouping capital because whatever money is spent must be returned, and third is high political costs, which is related to recouping capital,’ he continued.
Boyamin believes it is time to prevent this behaviour by regional heads. ‘Their authority must be reduced, their authority must be eliminated, so that they only become night watchmen. That, I think, must be fixed starting now,’ he added.
It was previously reported that the KPK named West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini a suspect in a corruption case for allegedly manipulating projects and accepting bribes. The total amount received is suspected to be IDR 12.4 billion in cash and goods. ‘Based on valid preliminary evidence, the KPK has elevated this case to the investigation stage and named three people as suspects,’ said Acting Director of KPK Investigation Achmad Taufik Husein during a press conference at the KPK building, Jalan Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/7).
A total of three people have been named suspects in this case, identified as:
Lalu Ahmad Zaini, Regent of West Lombok
Sudirman, President Director of PT Air Minum Giri Menang Lombok Barat (PT AMGM)
Alvonsus Gani, President Director of PT Meconel Sistim Instrument (PT MSI).
The following is a breakdown of the bribes allegedly received by Lalu Ahmad Zaini:
One Toyota Alphard worth IDR 1.2 billion;
One pair of Hermes shoes worth IDR 19 million;
Travel accommodation for the LOP-Jakarta route (the Regent frequently travelled round-trip between Lombok and Jakarta);
Cash amounting to at least IDR 380 million;
One iPhone 17 Pro worth IDR 26 million;
One sacrificial cow worth IDR 17 million.
In total, Lalu Ahmad allegedly received IDR 12.4 billion in money, goods, and facilities.