Zulhas Appoints LAZ as NTB PAN Regional Chairman, Targets Top Four in 2029 Election
National Mandate Party (PAN) Chairman Zulkifli Hasan has inaugurated West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini (LAZ) as the NTB Regional Leadership Council (DPW) Chairman for the 2025-2030 period. At the event, Zulhas immediately set an ambitious target, stating that PAN must break into the national top four in the upcoming elections.
LAZ replaces Muazzim Akbar, who is now a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives. In the new structure, the secretary position is filled by Bima Regent Ady Mahyudi, while the treasurer role is entrusted to NTB DPRD member Hasbullah Muis Konco.
Zulhas, a familiar name for Zulkifli Hasan, stressed the importance of tangible work by cadres currently in executive or legislative positions. He reminded them not to let power distance them from the people’s issues.
“I also ask these regents not to be busy on their own; DPR friends should not just hang around—focus on helping the people. What has changed after you become regents or DPR members? That is what you will be held accountable for,” he said.
He affirmed that PAN’s target for the 2029 elections is to enter the national top four. All cadres are urged to work measurably and deliver direct impacts to society.
“All PAN cadres in executive and legislative positions must focus on tangible, beneficial, and measurable work. The results must be felt directly by the people,” he stated.
Zulhas emphasised that this target is not mere political wishful thinking but must be supported by tangible work from cadres across all regions. He also reminded regional heads and legislators from PAN not to be lulled by their positions.
“What has changed after you become regents or DPR members? See, everything we do will be held accountable,” he explained.
Focus on Food Security
Zulhas stated that PAN is now directing its political energy towards fundamental issues, particularly strengthening national food security and the welfare of farmers, fishermen, and livestock breeders.
“PAN is now focusing on ensuring sufficient food, making our farmers prosperous, increasing exchange values for fishermen—focus there first so that the 30 percent of poor people who are farmers, fishermen, and livestock breeders are addressed; that’s what we handle first,” he asserted.
The top-four target presents a significant challenge. In the 2024 elections, PAN garnered 10,984,003 votes, or about 7.24 percent of the national vote, placing eighth.
Nevertheless, Zulhas is optimistic that PAN’s position can improve if internal consolidation aligns with government programmes felt directly by the public.
“We want to complete the policies and programmes we are currently working on; perhaps once is not enough—village cooperatives, food security, downstreaming; there are so many things we must work on,” he concluded.
Coalition with Gerindra
Zulhas affirmed that the coalition with the Gerindra Party will continue until the 2029 elections. According to him, this coalition has been tested over three elections.
“We’ve lost three times, lost for 15 years; that’s not a coincidence but a commitment that has been proven,” Zulhas stressed.
Lalu Ahmad Zaini, or LAZ, views this inauguration as the starting point for political work to consolidate and unite cadres in NTB.
“Today’s inauguration is not just an organisational ceremony. It is the starting point for the major works we must do together,” he said.
LAZ admitted to learning much from Zulhas’s leadership in facing national political dynamics. He emphasised that the key to growing the party is consistency in tangible work amidst society.
“The best campaign today is tangible work that can be felt directly by the community,” he stated.
He also set targets for filling seats in every electoral district. Currently, PAN does not have a full faction in the NTB DPRD as it only secured four seats.
“We are optimistic; every electoral district must have a filled seat. That is our target,” he concluded.