Presidential Decree on Inauguration on February 20 Issued, Total of 481 Regional Heads Inaugurated

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – President Prabowo Subianto has finally issued a legal framework for the simultaneous inauguration of regional heads and deputy regional heads resulting from the 2024 Regional Head Elections, on February 20th. After the legal framework was issued, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian sent a radiogram to all the elected regional heads and deputy regional heads regarding the inauguration process. What are the details?

The legality of the inauguration on February 20 is stipulated in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 13 of 2025 concerning the Procedures for the Inauguration of Regional Heads and Deputy Regional Heads, which was issued on February 11. Specifically, the inauguration schedule is stated in Article 22A. It mentions that the inauguration is held on February 20, 2025, and can be held beyond that date.

Specifically for February 20, the inauguration for the heads and deputy heads of regions where there are no disputes over the 2024 regional election results at the Constitutional Court (MK) and regions where the election result disputes were decided by the MK on February 4-5, will not proceed.

A total of 505 regional heads and deputy heads fall into this classification. However, not all of them were inaugurated on February 20, such as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Aceh, Muzakir Manaf and Fadhlullah, as well as mayors/deputy mayors and regents/deputy regents in Aceh, who were inaugurated before that date. The inauguration in Aceh could precede because it follows the mandate of Law Number 11 of 2006 concerning the Governance of Aceh.

As for the inauguration of regional heads that passes February 20, specifically for regions whose election disputes are still being processed at the Constitutional Court and regions whose election results have been decided by the Constitutional Court to hold a re-election, re-vote or re-count. Outside of these two factors, inauguration beyond February 20 is possible if there is a force majeure factor.

Simultaneously with the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 13/2025, the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian issued a radiogram numbered 100.2.1.3/644/SJ signed by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs Tomsi Tohir on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs. The letter lists the heads and deputy heads of regions from 481 regions who will be inaugurated simultaneously in Jakarta on February 20th.

It is also mentioned in the radiogram that during the inauguration, the governor and deputy governor are accompanied by the Chairman of the Provincial DPRD. Similarly, the regent and deputy regent, as well as the mayor and deputy mayor, are also present with the Chairman of the Regency DPRD and City DPRD.

Before the inauguration, the Ministry of Home Affairs provided health check facilities in three waves at Plaza Building C and Building F, 3rd floor of the Ministry of Home Affairs, this Saturday-Sunday from 08.00 WIB to 15.00 WIB. The first health check session was opened from 08.00 WIB to 10.00 WIB; the second session from 10.00 WIB to 12.00 WIB; and the third session from 13.00 WIB to 15.00 WIB.

Two days before the inauguration, namely Tuesday (2/18/2025), the elected regional heads and deputy heads were also asked to take part in a dirty rehearsal at 07.00 WIB wearing sportswear. Then, the dress rehearsal continued on Wednesday (2/19/2025) at 07.00 WIB wearing the official uniform for the 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.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto, Friday (2/14/2025), confirmed the stages before the inauguration. "Tomorrow afternoon, we will also have a zoom meeting with all elected regional heads, around 3 pm. We will convey the series of processes," said Bima via telephone to Kompas.

The plan is that the inauguration of regional heads will be held simply, practically, and briefly. Personnel from the Ministry of Home Affairs have also begun surveying the location that will be used for the inauguration of regional heads at the Presidential Palace Complex.

Deputy for Protocol, Press, Media, Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, confirmed that the simultaneous inauguration of regional heads has begun to be prepared. "The meetings have begun," he said, Friday afternoon.

The locations for the inauguration that are being considered include the courtyard between the State Palace and Merdeka Palace, as well as the front yard of Merdeka Palace.

The State Palace building, which is often used for the inauguration of state officials, is estimated to be inadequate to accommodate the elected regional heads and deputy heads. In this inauguration there will be 481 governors, regents, and mayors as well as 481 deputy governors, deputy regents, and deputy mayors. Of the officials who will be inaugurated, the number has reached 962 people.

In addition, each regional head and deputy head are allowed to bring their partners. Usually, the inauguration ceremony is also attended by high-ranking state officials and ministers of the Red and White Cabinet.

The inauguration process itself, according to Bima, will be simple. "The plan is simple, simple and does not take long, so that everyone has the opportunity to prepare for Magelang (regional head retreat)," he said.

The inauguration ceremony will consist of the swearing-in of regional heads and deputy heads as well as directions from President Prabowo Subianto.

Meanwhile, Jentera Indonesian Law College Lecturer M Nur Sholikin warned of potential legal problems in the inauguration of the elected Governor and Deputy Governor in the Jakarta Pilkada.

Law Number 151 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law 2/2024 concerning the Special Region of Jakarta Province stipulates a name change to the Special Region of Jakarta since this regulation comes into effect. In this regulation, the elected Governor and Deputy Governor are referred to as the Governor and Deputy Governor of the Special Region of Jakarta.

However, based on Law 2/2024 concerning the Province of DKJ, the regulation comes into effect when the Presidential Decree is issued concerning the transfer of the Capital City of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia from the Special Capital Region of Jakarta Province to the Capital City of the Archipelago.

According to Sholikin, this lack of synchronization in the validity period could make the inauguration of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Jakarta legally flawed, as could the legal products made by the regional heads.

"The current unclear status of the Jakarta Government is due to the provisions of Law No. 151 of 2024. Therefore, in order not to cause problems in the inauguration of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Jakarta, the government and the DPR need to immediately revoke Law 151/2024 and restore the positions of the elected Governor and Deputy Governor as Governor and Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta," said Sholikin.