On 18 December 2003, Wakatobi was officially designated as one of the enlarged regencies in Southeast Sulawesi that was established by virtue of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 29 of 2003 on the Establishment of the Regency of Bombana, Regency of Wakatobi and Regency of North Kolaka.
The Government of the Regency of Wakatobi as an autonomous region was officially marked by the inauguration of Syarifudin Safaa, SH, MM, as acting Regent of Wakatobi from 19 January 2004 until 19 January 2006.