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)