New city police spokesman installed

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Soetanto installed Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis on Thursday as the new city police spokesman, replacing Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang.

Lubis previously served as head of the sociopolitical subunit of the Armed Forces Information Center, while his predecessor, Aritonang, will be assigned chief of the Tanjung Priok port police.

Lubis said after the installation ceremony that his new post would be challenging, but at the same time he was eager to tackle the new assignment.

"I've spent years working behind desks with papers and reports, now it's time to mingle with journalists," he said.

He realizes that the new post bears heavy responsibilities, especially ahead of the upcoming general election and the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

"I believe there will be more street protests and other related incidents. I hope I can get support from the journalists I will work with to convey the police's message to the public," he said.

At the modest ceremony, Aritonang expressed his deepest gratitude to journalists who, according to him, had taught him a lot.

"For many reasons, I've been helped by journalists to develop my personality and career," he said. (emf)