Medan gets new mayor

Medan gets new mayor

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Abdillah was installed as the city's
mayor on Tuesday despite the fact that he has been declared a
suspect in a bribery case.

North Sumatra Governor T. Riza Nurdin swore in Abdillah, who
replaced Bachtiar Djafar, on behalf of the minister of home
affairs.

A large number of police officers were stationed outside the
local legislative council building in anticipation of a
demonstration.

Streets leading to the legislative council building, including
Jl. Diponegoro, Jl. Imam Bonjol and Jl. Raden Saleh and Jl.
Maulana Lubis, were all blocked off from traffic.

Medan Prosecutor's Office is investigating Abdillah for
allegedly practicing money politics in his bid to obtain the
mayoralty seat.

Abdillah told reporters after the ceremony that only the court
could prove if he was guilty. (39/sur)