New police chief installed

BATAM, Riau Islands: Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. S. Damanhuri installed on Monday Adj. Sr. Comr. Eko Hadi Sutedjo as chief of Batam, Rempang and Galang (Barelang) police, replacing Sr. Comr. Andayono.

"Batam, Rempang and Galang are big islands and have dynamic populations. As industrial islands, we need good security to prevent acts of terrorism," Damanhuri told The Jakarta Post.

Andayono, who held the position for one year four months, will head a special crime unit at National Police Headquarters in Jakarta.

Hadi Sutejo was previously the adjutant of National Police chief Da'i Bachtiar.

"We'll prioritize securing the election of regional heads in Riau Islands province, including Batam. We hope to have enough personnel to head off possible security disturbances," Damanhuri said. -- JP