Simultaneous Inauguration of Regional Heads in Jakarta Considered to Erode the Spirit of Regional Autonomy

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The plan to inaugurate 481 regional heads and deputy heads simultaneously on February 20 by President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta has drawn criticism. The centralized inauguration is considered to undermine the spirit of regional autonomy. Meanwhile, preparations for the inauguration continue to unfold. The regional leaders who will be inaugurated will first undergo health tests starting tomorrow.

Criticism of the plan to inaugurate all regional leaders resulting from the 2024 Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) by President Prabowo in Jakarta was expressed by Professor of the Institute of Public Administration Djohermansyah Djohan, Saturday (15/2/2025).

He is concerned that the simultaneous inauguration by the President in Jakarta will erode the essence of multilevel governance. Additionally, it is feared that it will undermine the spirit of regional autonomy. He reminded that, post-reformation, it was agreed to have a decentralization of power where there are large autonomous regions and small autonomous regions. Large autonomous regions include the central and provincial governments. Meanwhile, small autonomous regions include regencies and cities.

"Therefore, there is a division in government affairs, including inaugurations, where in the principle of multilevel governance, the governor can conduct the inauguration of mayors/regents. Meanwhile, the president can inaugurate governors," said Djohermansyah when contacted on Saturday (15/2/2025).

With the simultaneous inauguration method by the President, although permitted by Law Number 10 of 2016 concerning Regional Elections, the division of governmental affairs by the governor seems to be neglected. The governor's authority to inaugurate regents and mayors then becomes lost. The role of the governor as an extension of the central government in the regions can also be reduced.

In practice after the reform, governors are usually inaugurated by the president, while regents/mayors are inaugurated by the governor.

In addition, in the spirit of regional autonomy, the people in each region where the regional heads are inaugurated should also be involved in the inauguration. This is because the people have already brought the elected regional heads and deputy regional heads to their positions. The people should also be given a role to participate in the peak of the regional head election, which is the inauguration.

"When taking the oath and pledge, the people should be present to witness the elected regional heads and deputy regional heads. However, the people cannot participate because everything is taken to Jakarta. The role of the people is thus nullified," emphasized the former Director General of Regional Autonomy of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

By involving the people in the inauguration, Djohermansyah continued, it will also make the process more sacred and make the people have a strong sense of belonging to their leader. By feeling close to the regional head, they can be encouraged to help implement or take part in the implementation of regional government.

During a meeting with Commission II of the House of Representatives, some time ago, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian explained the inauguration of all regional heads and deputy heads in Jakarta by the President, because it was made possible by the Regional Election Law. In Article 164B, to be precise, it is stated that the President as the holder of government power can inaugurate regents and deputy regents and mayors and deputy mayors simultaneously.

Meanwhile, preparations for the simultaneous inauguration continue to be carried out by the government. Before the inauguration, the heads and deputy heads of regions were asked to undergo a health test first.

The health test was originally scheduled to start on Saturday (2/15/2025) but was decided to be postponed to Sunday (2/16/2025). The change was stated in a radiogram or letter numbered 100.2.1.3/698/SJ made on February 13. The letter replaced the previous radiogram, namely letter numbered 100.2.1.3/644/SJ signed by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs Tomsir Tohir on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs on February 11.

In the latest letter, as many as 481 regional heads and deputy heads who will be inaugurated are asked to first check their health at the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Ministry of Home Affairs provides health check facilities in three waves at the Plaza Building C and Building F, 3rd floor of the Ministry of Home Affairs, this Sunday-Monday at 08.00-15.00. The first stage of health check sessions is open at 08.00-10.00; the second session at 10.00-12.00; and the third session at 13.00-15.00.

In the radiogram, the first day of health checks is scheduled, Sunday (2/16/2025), starting from the North Sumatra Province; West Sumatra; Riau; Jambi; South Sumatra Province and some regents and mayors at 08.00-15.00. There are 80 regional heads who will check their health in the first wave.

Meanwhile, on Sunday the second session at 10.00-12.00 is scheduled for inspection for the Provinces of South Sumatra; Bengkulu; Lampung; Bangka Belitung; Riau; DKI Jakarta; West Java; Banten Province and some regents and mayors of Banten.

In the third session at 13.00-15.00 continued with the regents and mayors of the Banten Province; Central Java; Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY); East Java Province and some regents and mayors in the East Java region.

On the second day, Monday (17/2), the first session schedule at 08.00-10.00 was continued with some of the regents and mayors of the East Java Province; Bali; West Nusa Tenggara; East Nusa Tenggara; West Kalimantan; Central Kalimantan; South Kalimantan Province and some of the regents and mayors of the South Kalimantan region.

The second session, at 10:00-12:00, continued with some of the regents and mayors of the South Kalimantan Province; East Kalimantan; North Kalimantan; Gorontalo; West Sulawesi; North Sulawesi; Central Sulawesi; and South Sulawesi Province and some of the regents and mayors in the South Sulawesi region.

Finally, in the third session, it was continued for the regents and mayors of the South Sulawesi region; Southeast Sulawesi Province; Maluku Province; North Maluku Province; Papua Province; West Papua Province; South Papua Province; Central Papua Province; Papua Mountains Province; and Southwest Papua Province.

Next, on Tuesday (2/18/2025), regional heads and deputy heads were asked to attend a dirty rehearsal at 07.00 WIB wearing sportswear. Then, a dress rehearsal was continued on Wednesday (2/19/2025) at 07.00 WIB wearing the official uniform for a grand ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, for the Governor and Deputy Governor of Aceh who were previously inaugurated. They received an invitation to still attend the simultaneous inauguration on February 20.

"The rank insignia for regional heads and deputy regional heads are prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs without any particular fees," the letter said.

The letter stated that during the inauguration, the governor and deputy governor were present accompanied by the Chairman of the Provincial DPRD. Likewise, the regent and deputy regent, as well as the mayor and deputy mayor were also present with the Chairmen of the Regency DPRD and the City DPRD.

One day after the inauguration, the regional heads and deputy regional heads will immediately attend a retreat or leadership orientation at the Military Academy, Magelang, Central Java.

The event, according to plan, will be attended by President Prabowo Subianto who will give directions. However, the schedule of his arrival has not been confirmed.

"The President said he would come anytime, maybe at the beginning of the retreat, in the middle of the retreat, or at the end of the retreat. We will adjust to his schedule," said Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto who also just met President Prabowo in Hambalang, Friday (2/14/2025) afternoon.

In general, according to Bima, this regional head retreat is a very dense provision for the newly inaugurated regional heads. Because, usually the Ministry of Home Affairs holds training for two weeks. In addition, the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) also holds a consolidation of prospective leaders for about one month. Now, everything must be delivered in seven days.

This briefing aims to synchronize the vision and mission of regional heads with Astacita carried by President Prabowo Subianto. Thus, development in the regions can be in line with the direction of national development through the eight priority programs of Astacita.

The retreat will also equip regional heads from various backgrounds with an understanding of the main tasks and functions (tupoksi) of government.

Another important goal of the retreat, according to Bima, is to build relationships or strengthen emotional bonds between all regional heads. This emotional bond is considered important because coordination will be needed not only between regional heads and ministers, but also between regional heads.