Beware Threats of Political Intervention

Transparency and public participation are believed to be able to prevent political intervention in the appointment of acting regional heads. It is also advisable that the appointment process involves an independent team.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Political intervention and transactions are likely to overshadow the process of the central government’s appointment of interim regional heads, who will take over the provisional office in the buildup to 2024 presidential, legislative as well as the nationwide simultaneous regional head elections. The appointment process must be made transparent and accommodative to public participation in order to deter possible infiltration of political interests.

Based on data from the Home Ministry, the tenure of 101 regional heads and deputies will end in mid-May 2022, while another 171 regional heads and deputies will end their term in 2023. Until after the completion of the 2024 nationwide simultaneous regional head elections, the regional administrations will be led by acting regional heads. Acting governors are appointed by the President, acting regents/mayors by the home minister.