Oil-rich Dumai has new mayor

DUMAI, Riau: Wan Syamsir Yus and Suarman AR were installed on Thursday as the mayor and deputy mayor of Dumai, home to an oil refinery serving oil giant Caltex.

Riau governor Saleh Djasit called on the new officials during the swearing-in ceremony to develop the town into a prominent industrial estate on Sumatra.

The duet of Syamsir and Suarman won the election on March 15 by 15 votes, beating their closest rivals Asmaran Hasan and Zulkifli who collected 10 votes, Antara reported.

Starting this year, Dumai, 180 kilometers north of Riau capital Pekanbaru, had its status increased to an autonomous town.