One Sign Since the Inauguration of the Regional Head

The footsteps of hundreds of regional heads and deputy regional heads moved from the National Monument area, crossing Medan Merdeka Utara Street, Jakarta, on Thursday morning (20/2/2025). Their movements, dressed in ceremonial uniforms, were in unison, following the commands of the platoon leader.

Their steps did not stop as they passed through the gates of the State Palace, located directly across from the National Monument. The Presidential Security Forces (Paspampres) lined up in front of the Palace even made way for the regional heads and deputy regional heads to enter the courtyard.

The regional leaders then entered in a line into the tent set up in the courtyard of the Merdeka Palace. They proceeded to attend the inauguration ceremony of regional heads, led by President Prabowo Subianto.

"This will be a historic moment for the nation. On February 20, let us pray together that the regional heads being inaugurated can become leaders who bring benefits to the communities in their respective regions," said Kediri Regent Hanindito Himawan Pramana.

The inauguration ceremony for regional heads resulting from the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections (Pilkada) is indeed somewhat different. While inaugurations at the Presidential Palace are usually reserved for governors and deputy governors, this time, for the first time, regents and deputy regents as well as mayors and deputy mayors were also inaugurated at the Palace. They were all directly inaugurated by the President.

A total of 961 regional heads and deputy regional heads from 481 regions were inaugurated by the President. They consist of 33 governors and 33 deputy governors; 363 regents and 362 deputy regents; as well as 85 mayors and 85 deputy mayors.

One deputy regent who was not inaugurated is the Deputy Regent of Ciamis, Yana D Putra. Yana passed away two days before the 2024 Regional Head Election voting day, on November 27, 2024, due to a heart attack.

Before entering the inauguration venue, the regional heads and their deputies lined up in a parade formation. The regional heads were divided into 30 platoons led by the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian. Their steps toward the Palace on their first day as regional heads were in unison, following the instructions of the platoon commander. This is unsurprising, as they had already participated in two rehearsals on Tuesday and Wednesday (18-19/2/2025).

After the inauguration, regional heads must attend a retreat held at the Military Academy area, Magelang, Central Java. On February 21-28, regional heads will receive briefings from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Meanwhile, deputy regional heads will not attend the retreat, but will attend the closing which is planned to be attended by President Prabowo.

"We will meet at a retreat which will be held by the Minister of Home Affairs in Magelang. I will meet you there and hopefully you will be strong. Those who are in doubt can withdraw," said Prabowo.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya previously said that during the retreat, a number of ministers of the Red and White Cabinet, teachers from the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas), and from other institutions such as the KPK, BPK, BPKP, Polri, and TNI, will provide materials. Provision for synchronizing the vision and mission of regional heads with Astacita carried by President Prabowo. The retreat will also equip regional heads who come from various backgrounds with their main tasks and functions. In addition, to strengthen the emotional bond between all regional heads.

The opportunity for a retreat was not wasted by regional heads. Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan, for example, will convey two crucial things that need to be considered for synchronization and harmonization of programs between the central and regional governments.

According to him, regions need to have the same understanding with the central government in making President Prabowo's Asta Cita program a success. Regions need to have a comprehensive understanding of Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 1 of 2025 concerning State Budget Efficiency.

Farhan also hopes that the central government will understand and comprehend the needs and capabilities in each region. This is because the needs and fiscal capabilities between one region and another are very different.

"For example, the city of Bandung, as a tourist city, requires the development of infrastructure to support the tourism industry to increase local revenue," he said.

Meanwhile, several other regional heads have immediately dreamed of adjusting regional programs with the central government. For example, Indramayu Regent Lucky Hakim will adjust the Regional Medium-Term Long-Term Plan (RPJMD) with the National Medium-Term Long-Term Plan (RPJMN). Both development plans must be in harmony and have the ultimate goal of realizing a just and prosperous country.

"There are still many regions whose PAD is still low, they depend on assistance from the center. The center certainly has a vision-mission and flagship programs of the President, the governors also have flagship programs. If all can be aligned at all levels of regional government, of course it will be better and do not forget the elements of local wisdom of the region," he said.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Spei Yan Bidana, said that his party will translate national targets into regional development implementation. The development that will be carried out is attempted to be in harmony between the center and the regions.

"There are national targets that must be translated into regions. So this is a new history of governance, united in harmony," said Yan.

Lecturer at the Communication Science Department of Padjajaran University, Kunto Adi Wibowo, said that the simultaneous inauguration of regional heads at the State Palace conveyed a message of consolidation. The central government seemed to want all regions to be in the same line so that they could make the central government's program a success.

The retreat also further strengthened the message. The week-long opportunity will likely be used by the central government to provide insight into the urgency of central government programs that must be supported by local governments.

The problem is, every regional head and deputy head also have political promises to the people that are often expressed when they campaign. Not infrequently, these promises are not in line with the central government's priority programs. "So, which promise will be fulfilled first?" asked Kunto.

The message of consolidation and alignment between the central and regional governments that the central government wanted to convey since the first day the heads and deputy heads took office, can only be seen in the future. Supervision from the Ministry of Home Affairs is vital because the ministry is the supervisor of regional government administration. However, what should not be forgotten is that regional interests and capacities vary. Central government policies and programs do not always match regional needs.