High-profile figures from North Sumatra have called on new Governor Syamsul Arifin to promote unity and harmony between ethnic groups as a prerequisite to ensuring security and economic development in the resource-rich province.

In comments made to The Jakarta Post following Syamsul's inauguration at the provincial legislative council on Monday, they said the governor and vice governor, Gatot Pudjonugroho, had to maintain neutrality in running the province for the next five years, regardless of any obligations they had with parties or groups who backed them in the April 16 gubernatorial election.

Akbar Tandjung, former speaker of the House of Representatives and a native of Barus, Central Tapanuli regency, said he was proud of the province, widely considered a beacon of harmony and pluralism, but warned this image could suffer under a biased or prejudiced leadership.

"Syamsul is not a rookie politician in the province. With his long political experience in the Golkar Party and National Committee of Indonesian Youths (KNPI), and as regent of Langkat for two consecutive terms, he has befriended many people, no matter their political beliefs, ethnicity or religion. His leadership should be based on the way he governed Langkat," he said.

Syamsul and Gatot won the gubernatorial election after announcing their candidacy a day after registration for candidates was closed.

The pair were backed up by a coalition comprising the United Development Party (PPP), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Reformed Star Party (PBR).

Syamsul is of Melayu descent, while Gatot, born in Magelang, Central Java, is Javanese. Both ethnicities make up more than 40 percent of the province's 12 million residents. The rest of the population is made up of ethnic Batak, Minangkabau, Chinese, Acehnese and Indians.

Surya Paloh, a senior Golkar Party figure and owner of the Media Indonesia Group, said the new governor should maintain and improve social interactions between ethnic groups to back up his political programs.

"Our multicultural society is really the province's strength and richness, but it could be a source of social unrest unless tolerance is maintained and pluralism is accepted as social reality," he said.

Social Services Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah said despite backing from Islamic parties, the new governor and vice governor should serve their constituents rather than their parties or other special interest groups.

"They must be able to treat their parties and families or cronies impartially and pay more attention to the people, especially the poor and vulnerable who are affected by the soaring prices of fuel and basic commodities," he said.

Also in attendance at the swearing-in ceremony were House Speaker Agung Laksono, presidential advisor T.B. Silalahi, deputy chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly Achsa Mahmud, a number of legislators from the PPP, PKS, PBR and Golkar, Aceh Governor Irwandy Yusuf, regents and mayors from across the province and up to 1,000 community and religious leaders.

Home Minister Mardiyanto called on regional heads, especially regents and mayors, to obey the provincial hierarchy as stipulated in the 2008 law on regional administration.

"Regents and mayors should not upstage their governors by representing their provinces at national level. Governors are the heads of provincial governments, it is they who make policies and coordinate with regents and mayors in implementing these policies. Regents and mayors are no longer allowed to go to Jakarta without the knowledge of their respective governors," he said.