Prabowo inaugurates 961 regional leaders at Presidential Palace

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto officially inaugurated 961 regional leaders simultaneously at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday, following the 2024 local polls.

The mass swearing-in ceremony involved 33 governors, 33 deputy governors, 363 district heads, 362 deputy district heads, 85 mayors, and 85 deputy mayors, marking a historical moment for Indonesia.

Before the ceremony, the regional leaders participated in a procession from the National Monument to the Merdeka Palace, accompanied by the Gita Abdi Praja Drum Corps of the State Institute of Public Administration (IPDN).

President Prabowo arrived at the ceremony venue at 10 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB).

The inauguration began with the singing of the Indonesian national anthem, Indonesia Raya, followed by the reading of the presidential and the Home Affairs Minister's decrees on the inauguration of the regional leaders.

Furthermore, during the oath-taking, six regional leaders representing six religions stood at the front.

Those six leaders included Lampung Governor Rahmat Mirzani Djausal, representing Muslims; North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda, representing Catholics; Singkawang Mayor Tjhau Chui Mie, representing Buddhists; and Karangasem District Head I Gusti Putu Parwata, representing Hindus.

The leaders also comprised Manado Mayor Andrei Angouw, representing followers of Confucianism, and Merauke District Head Yoseph P. Gebze, representing Christians.

While taking the oath of office, the regional leaders were guided by President Prabowo.

"(I pledge that I) will fulfill my obligations as governor, deputy governor, district head, deputy district head, mayor, deputy mayor maximally and with the utmost fairness," he stated followed by the regional heads.

Following the oath, President Prabowo pinned rank insignias on the six regional leaders.

After their inauguration, the regional leaders are scheduled to participate in a retreat on February 21-28 at the Military Academy, Magelang, Central Java.