PAN expels Lombok Barat regent after KPK sting

The National Mandate Party expelled Lombok Barat Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini from party membership after he was caught in a KPK sting operation. PAN Deputy Chairman Viva Yoga Mauladi said Lalu’s position as chairman of the PAN Nusa Tenggara Barat provincial branch is now handled by the PAN central executive board. Earlier, KPK took Lalu to the Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Monday night, July 20, after securing him from Nusa Tenggara Barat. KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said a total of 19 people were secured in the operation, including Lalu at his official residence. The case is suspected to involve payments tied to projects within the Lombok Barat regency government. KPK also seized evidence including hundreds of millions of rupiah in cash and a number of documents believed to be related to the case.