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The first ethnic Chinese governor in Indonesian history was sworn in by President Joko Widodo yesterday to lead the country's capital city.
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama is also the first Christian to become governor of Jakarta in 50 years.
The 48-year-old replaces Widodo, who took office as head of state last month, and like the president is a political outsider without deep roots in the era of dictator Suharto.
The emergence of leaders such as Widodo and Basuki has been praised as a sign that democratic reforms introduced after the end of authoritarian rule in 1998 have taken root.
Having an ethnic Chinese city governor also represents progress in Indonesia, as the minority suffered severe discrimination in the Suharto years.
Basuki, known by his nickname Ahok, was Widodo's deputy and has been acting governor for several months.
However, his appointment has not been smooth, with hardline Islamic groups staging regular protests against an "infidel" taking over as governor and political opponents in the city council attempting to block his inauguration.
However, the governor shrugged off the challenges to his leadership.
"I think you can't expect to be liked by all people. But to be a president or governor, you only need 50 per cent of votes plus one [in the election] and apparently Jakartans are not interested in protesting against me," he said, referring to protesters who mostly came from outside the capital.
Jakarta police spokesman Rikwanto said 3,800 policemen were deployed to areas around the state palace to secure the inauguration. However, few protesters were seen nearby.
The tall, bespectacled Basuki has a starkly different style to his predecessor. While Widodo, known by his nickname Jokowi, took a gentle, persuasive approach, Basuki is famed for his outbursts at bumbling officials.
Despite the opposition of Islamic groups, many Jakarta residents support the governor.
They believe it takes a strong leader to fix the problems of the capital, which include a threadbare public transport system and an inefficient bureaucracy.
Many analysts view Widodo and Basuki as a pair of regional leaders with the best chemistry since late president Sukarno and his deputy, Mohammad Hatta.
"They complement each other despite their differences in character. Ahok always speaks bluntly while Jokowi tends to be patient and less talkative," sociologist Radhar Panca Dahana said. "So I'm sure we can see how they work together in developing the country and the capital."
Additional reporting by Kyodo


First Chinese governor of Jakarta, a Christian, sworn in by President Widodo

Basuki (left) is congratulated by President Widodo. Photo: AP

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Basuki is much liked in Indonesian capital, despite protests by Islamic hardliners


Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, the first ethnic Chinese governor in Indonesian history, was sworn in by President Joko Widodo to lead the country's capital city.
