Jembrana regent sworn in

DENPASAR, Bali: After two and a half months of delays, the new Jembrana regent and deputy were sworn in during a simple, but well-guarded ceremony in the regency capital of Negara on Wednesday.

At least 2,000 police officers were on high alert at the Mendopo Kesari Wartmadewa building where I Gde Winasa and Ketut Suania were sworn in by Governor Dewa Made Beratha.

No incidents were reported.

Bali Police chief Brig. Gen. Wayan Ardjana and several high- ranking local officials were also on hand.

The delay of the inauguration of the new regent and his deputy was due to a fatal incident which occurred during a dispute by hundreds of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) supporters at a planned ceremony for Winasa and Suania on Aug. 28.

One PDI Perjuangan member was killed and five others were injured in the riot.

PDI Perjuangan supporters were upset at party candidates Sandiyasa and Dana for failing to defeat Winasa and Suania in the Aug. 14 election. Winasa and Suania won 17 of the 30 ballots. (zen)