After preparations, President Abdurrahman Wahid enacted a decree that confirmed the establishment of the regency on 3 July 2001.

However, six days before the event, Jakarta government officials stated to reporters that the event was cancelled due to several reasons, such as insufficient preparations, the absence of names put forward as the first acting regent,[5] and the conflict between the legislative and governor about the legal basis for the establishment of the regency.

However, on the night before the inauguration, the government announced a delay after a meeting with the Speaker of the Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council.

The Speaker, Edy Waluyo, announced that the delay was due to the council's disapproval of Sutiyoso's choice.

[7] To circumvent the delay, Sutiyoso inaugurated the first vice regent and secretary of the island — Djoko Ramadhan and Fajar Augustinus Panjaitan, respectively — on 14 October 2001.