Guess What: Maj.Gen. Nurfaizi

Most city residents instantly learned of the May 13 rioting in the West Jakarta commercial district here via radio and TV news, in the comfort of their own home.

Guess where Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi, 53, was when he was notified of the rioting, triggered by a National Police raid on sellers of pirated video compact discs (VCDs) in Chinatown?

"I was about to play golf ... friendship golf with security representatives of the Japanese Embassy. I was with them ... when I heard of the riots, I immediately rushed to my office," Nurfaizi told reporters earlier this week, going a little red in the face.

"You reporters know that I've been meeting with security officers of embassies here, to assure them that security in the capital is my priority and that Jakarta is safe enough for foreign investors." (ylt)