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resident Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo has ordered seven newly inaugurated governors and deputy governors to build their respective provinces in line with the central government'€™s development agenda.

In a new ceremonial step on Friday, the President explained his directive to them immediately after the inauguration. As governors and deputy governors, they '€œare the representatives of the central government in their [respective] regions'€, Jokowi said.

'€œIn carrying out regional development agendas, governors shall refer to the mission and vision of the President,'€ he added. '€œTherefore, we can create integrated works and improve synergy in speeding up national development.'€

Since the introduction of decentralization and regional autonomy after the Reform Era, there have been overlapping and contradicting policies between the government and regional administrations, ranging from those revolving around business permits to social issues.

Jokowi also ordered the governors to be directly involved in monitoring the development programs in their regions to ensure the basic needs of the people are met.

Friday'€™s ceremony also set a new tradition somewhat similar to an ambassador'€™s credentials handover ceremony.

Before the swearing-in ceremony, the seven governors were welcomed at the Credential Room at the State Palace, where they introduced themselves to Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

The President then handed over the appointment decrees to the new local leaders to show that he had entrusted them with their responsibilities.

Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said the newly inaugurated leaders should immediately set aside the interests of their respective political parties and instead start focusing on developing the country in the best interest of the people.

'€œAlthough they are backed by political parties, they were voted in by the people. Therefore, after the inauguration, they are officially under the command of the President,'€ he said.

In an effort to ensure all local leaders '€” including the seven governors and more than 200 regents and mayors who were elected in the 2015 simultaneous regional elections '€” lead their administrations in line with the government'€™s development agenda, Jokowi will soon invite them to a meeting where he will give instructions related to their tasks.

The seven pairs of inaugurated leaders comprised an Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician with a controversial reputation, Olly Dondokambey, and his deputy Steven Kandouw of North Sulawesi; Muhammad Sani and Nurdin Basirun of the Riau Islands; Zumi Zola and Fachrori Umar of Jambi; Irwan Prayitno and Nasrul Abit of West Sumatra; Ridwan Mukti and Rohidin Mersyah of Bengkulu; Sahbirin Noor and Rudy Resnawan of South Kalimantan; and Irianto Lambrie and Udin Hianggio of North Kalimantan.

Olly, the former PDI-P faction head at the House of Representatives, has been questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on suspicion of accepting bribes in a graft case centering on the construction of the Hambalang sports complex in West Java. There are at least four graft suspects among the 200 local leaders to be inaugurated next week.

Tjahjo, however, argued that the prevailing law allowed a suspect to be sworn in as a local leader. A local leader can be dismissed from his post only if his case has received a final and binding ruling.

The 35-year-old Zumi, a former TV actor, said he would push for better communication and coordination between local public officials to ensure development programs were implemented well in Jambi.