Gamawan installs youngest governor

JAKARTA. Led by Lampung Legislative Council Speaker Marwan Cik Hasan, Lampung Governor-elect M. Ridho Ficardo and Vice Governor-elect Bachtiar Basri were sworn into office on Monday in Bandarlampung by Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi.

“At 33 years of age, Ridho is the youngest governor, but age need not be the primary focus, as many young people excel,” said Gamawan.

Ridho is chairman of the Lampung chapter of the Democratic Party.

Gamawan said Ridho was the 34th governor in Indonesia to be sworn in ahead of the conclusion of a presidential term. The current administration led by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has run the country since 2009.

“The governor’s race in Lampung was more interesting than those in other provinces because it was held concurrently with the legislative election in April,” Gamawan said. “Hopefully, our democracy will continue to improve.”