Zulhas Appoints Muazzim as Acting Chairman of PAN NTB Following LAZ Arrest by KPK
The General Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas), has appointed Muazzim Akbar as the Acting Chairman of the PAN Regional Leadership Council (DPW) for West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). This appointment follows the arrest of the PAN NTB Chairman, Lalu Ahmad Zaini (LAZ), by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Muazzim revealed that the assignment was given directly by the PAN Central Executive Board (DPP) during Zulhas’s visit to NTB on Friday, 31 July 2026. “I have now been entrusted by the DPP to carry out the mandate as the Acting Chairman of the PAN NTB DPW,” Muazzim stated during the inauguration of volunteers and the Regional Working Meeting of PAN NTB in Gerung, West Lombok, on Saturday, 1 August 2026.
Muazzim is currently a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) for the NTB II constituency and serves as the Coordinator for the PAN Bali-Nusra region. Prior to LAZ being inaugurated as the Regent of West Lombok in February 2025, Muazzim served as the Chairman of the PAN NTB DPW.
“Yesterday, when the General Chairman visited NTB to inspect fishing villages in East Lombok and Central Lombok, we discussed this matter extensively,” he explained.
Upon receiving the mandate, Muazzim stated that his priority would be internal party consolidation. Simultaneously, PAN NTB also inaugurated over 4,000 volunteers on Lombok Island. He noted that the sting operation (OTT) involving LAZ should serve as a lesson to strengthen the organisation down to the branch level.
“Alhamdulillah, after being away for approximately seven months, this trust has been returned to me,” Muazzim asserted. He added that all DPW and DPD PAN officials across NTB have been instructed to strengthen party solidarity in preparation for upcoming political agendas. Muazzim mentioned that the PAN DPP targets NTB to become one of the victory bases for the 2029 General Election.
“We must be strong heading into the 2029 elections, both for the Presidential and Legislative elections. Especially now that I hold incumbent status, God willing, PAN in NTB can emerge as a winner,” he said optimistically.
Muazzim explained that his appointment as Acting Chairman was due to his position as a member of the DPR RI from the Lombok constituency. Consequently, the PAN DPP has decided not to hold an Extraordinary Regional Meeting (Muswillub). “The appointment came directly from the DPP, so there will be no Muswillub. While waiting for a definitive decision on whether I will be appointed permanently or if there will be further direction,” he clarified.
According to Muazzim, the change only applies to the position of the DPW Chairman, while the rest of the management structure remains unchanged. “A new Decree (SK) for the new DPW Chairman will be issued shortly. There will be no changes to the rest of the management structure; only the position of the DPW Chairman is being replaced,” he concluded.