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