Minister installs Riau Islands Governor

Minister installs Riau Islands Governor

TANJUNG PINANG, Riau Islands: After twice being delayed, Minister
of Home Affairs Mohammad Ma'ruf finally installed Ismeth Abdullah
and Muhammad Sani as governor and deputy governor of Riau Islands
province on Friday.

The inaugurations had been delayed twice due to the minister's
busy schedule. Ismeth and Sani were elected governor and deputy
governor after a direct gubernatorial election on June 30.

The inauguration ceremony, however, was marked by a protest.
As the ceremony was taking place, protesters on board six boats
unfurled banners denouncing the new officials. The protest, which
took place on the sea in front of the building where the ceremony
was taking place, lasted only a short time as marine police
quickly dispersed the protest boats. -- JP