Yogyakarta – Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and Sri (duke) Paku Alam IX were sworn in by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday as the appointed governor and deputy governor of Pakualaman, respectively. The ceremony was held at the Yogyakarta State Palace of Gedung Agung, after the enactment of Law No. 13/2012 on Yogyakarta's special status last month.

The inauguration began at 10 a.m. and lasted for 30 minutes. Of the 400 guests, 150 watched the ceremony in the Garuda room, where the inauguration took place, while the rest of the guests watched proceedings on a big screen.

The President, in his speech, reiterated Yogyakarta's special status is connected to the part Yogyakarta played during the country's struggle for independence.

"Yogyakarta's special status is connected to the country's history. Yogyakarta was once the country's capital," Yudhoyono said as quoted by kompas.com. He also urged the Sultan and duke to increase supervision of the regional budget's implementation.

Law No. 13/2012, which was endorsed by the House of Representatives in August after almost 10 years of deliberation, partly stipulates that the ruling sultan of Yogyakarta palace and duke of the Pakualaman principality also hold the positions of governor and deputy governor of the province, respectively. (swd)