Simultaneous Inauguration of Regional Heads for First Time in Indonesia

A lively and cheerful atmosphere during the inauguration of 961 regional heads by President Prabowo Subianto, at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Thursday (02/20). (Photo by: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information (BPMI) of the Presidential Secretariat)

The atmosphere at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Thursday (02/20), seemed different, lively and cheerful. Thousands of people gathered in the central courtyard of the Palace to attend the inauguration of 961 regional heads by President Prabowo Subianto in a ceremony that became a new historical record for Indonesia.

This simultaneous inauguration was the first of its kind and became a monumental milestone for the Indonesian government. Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, explained in his statement that the practice of the simultaneous inauguration is based on Presidential Regulation Number 13 of 2025 concerning the Second Amendment to Presidential Regulation Number 16 of 2016 concerning the Procedures for the Inauguration of Governors and Vice-Governors, Regents and Vice-Regents, and Mayors and Vice-Mayors.

“Article 6A of the Presidential Regulation stipulates that the President as the holder of government power can inaugurate governors, vice-governors, regents, vice-regents, mayors, and vice-mayors simultaneously in the State Capital,” said Yusuf.

The simultaneous inauguration took place as the result from close collaboration with a number of parties, especially the Ministry of Home Affairs. Deputy Yusuf also stated that President Prabowo paid special attention to the details so as to guarantee that the inauguration would run in a lively manner but still solemnly and leave a deep impression.

“We had been planning and preparing for this event for days. Together with colleagues from the Ministry of Home Affairs, we held coordination meetings, made plans, built tents, then carried out checks. Until the dress rehearsal, we continued to do so, in order to organize this very historic and very monumental event, so that it could take place and could be staged as well as possible,” he said.

Specifically, at this inauguration, President Prabowo congratulated all the newly-inaugurated regional heads along with their spouses in person. According to Yusuf, this demonstrated the President’s appreciation to the newly-inaugurated regional heads.

“Imagine that the President personally came to give his congratulations as many as 961 times two or almost 2000 times. This act demonstrated the President’s special attention and high appreciation to the newly-inaugurated officials,” he continued.

For the newly-inaugurated regional heads, the inauguration moment was not only historic but also heart-moving, as stated by one of them, namely Governor of North Maluku Sherly Tjoanda who could not hide her emotion following every inauguration procession.

“I was very touched and inspired by the message from President Prabowo that firstly, this was a historic moment in which 961 regional heads were inaugurated simultaneously at the State Palace. It’s a historic moment and I am very proud to be part of this historic moment,” said Sherly.

Similarly, Solok Regent Jon Firman Pandu also felt the same pride in being inaugurated and meeting President Prabowo in person. According to him, this inauguration served also as a symbol of stronger synergy between the central and regional governments.

“This is actually what we hope for in the future, synergy between the central and regency governments, and we in the regions will certainly also realize together the eight missions of the President of Indonesia for our regions,” said the Solok Regent. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/ABD)