Indonesia’s president swears in 961 regional heads

ISTANBUL

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday in an unprecedented mass ceremony administered oath of office to some 961 newly elected regional heads.

“You have succeeded in gaining the people’s trust. … And so, I would like to remind you all, on behalf of this country, you have been chosen. You are the people’s servant. … You must defend the people’s interests, and fight for the betterment of their lives. That is our job,” Prabowo told the officials at a ceremony in the capital Jakarta.

The newly elected regional heads include governors, regents, and mayors, as well as their respective deputies.

It is the first time that a president has inaugurated 33 governors, 33 deputy governors, 363 district heads, 362 deputy district heads, 85 mayors, and 85 deputy mayors, with a total of 961 regional leaders in a single event.

They were elected for the 2025-2030 term.

The regional leaders will join an eight-day boot camp at the Magelang Military Academy in Central Java starting Friday, the daily Jakarta Globe reported.

Prabowo was elected president in February 2024 and took office in October.

About the incoming military boot camp, Prabowo told the officials: “I will see you all there. Hopefully, you are strong enough to endure the training. … If you are in doubt, just step down.”

“Let’s do our best for the people,” he added.

Prabowo had also held a similar military training camp for his Cabinet.