Police reshuffled in Bandung

BANDUNG: Lt. Col. Puji Winarso was sworn in on Tuesday as the new chief of West Bandung Police replacing Lt. Col. Robert Kodong.

"My replacement has nothing to do with the Zarina case. It's only a tour of duty," Robert said after the ceremony, quickly adding that he had been notified of the impending reshuffle in early August.

The Central and East Bandung Police will also soon have new chiefs.

Zarina Mirafsur, 27, was dubbed the "Ecstasy queen" two years ago after she was sentenced to four years in jail for possession of 29,677 ecstasy pills.

She was recently arrested again in Jakarta for alleged drug possession. There has been wide speculation in the media that Zarina was used as an informant by Robert to help disclose a drug ring without the permission of the Ministry of Law and Legislation.

Bandung Regional Police chief Col. Yusuf Manggabarani also denied suggestions that Robert was being sent to a post at National Police Headquarters because of the Zarina case.

Yusuf said "Robert is a professional officer and has performed his duty well". (43/edt)