TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Soni Sumarsono, director general of regional autonomy at the Home Affairs Ministry, will replace Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama as an acting governor, starting from October 28, 2016 to February 11, 2017.

"I've been assigned as the Jakarta acting governor replacing Ahok and his deputy Djarot [Saiful Hidayat]," Soni said at the Home Affairs Ministry in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 26, 2016.

Soni will take the office as Ahok is taking a time off to run in the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election held on February 15, 2017.

The transfer of office ceremony was led by Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo. Earlier, Tjahjo confirmed that the acting governor position would be given to an echelon I official. Tjahjo hopes that Soni will be able to run the office well, "and maintain the regional stability, as well as supporting the regional elections," Tjahjo said on Tuesday, October 25, 2016.

Ahok said that he had no problem with taking some time off. However, he admitted that he was concerned with the deliberation of the 2017 Jakarta Budget, since he was not sure whether an acting governor is allowed to deal with the Jakarta Budget.

Ahok pointed out that the 1945 Constitution states that only a governor can sign the budget, instead of an acting governor. Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister’s Regulation No. 74/2016 states that an acting governor can sign the 2017 Regional Budget.

"Does the regulation supersede the Constitution? We've been reviewing it with the Constitutional Court," Ahok said.

KURNIA RIZKI HANJANI | LARISSA HUDA | HUSSEIN ABRI