The men in white: Banten's deputy governor (right) inaugurates Tangerangâs new Mayor Arief R
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Banten Deputy Governor Rano Karno inaugurated Tangerang's new Mayor Arief R.Wismansyah and his deputy, Sachrudin, on Tuesday, who will lead the municipal administration until 2018.
'This oath of office ceremony could take place after Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah returned the mandate to swear in the Tangerang mayor and his deputy to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the President assigned me to carry out her task,' said Rano.
Rano, who could not hold back the tears when swearing in the new mayor and his deputy, and said the inauguration was a historical moment as it took place in the midst of a political crisis in Banten.
'Tangerang has taken a long and winding road to electing a new mayor and deputy mayor. I want to remind the new leaders that they will also face heavy tasks ahead in creating clean governance, running the wheels of the administration and providing quality public services to their people,' he said.
Meanwhile, Arief R. Wismansyah hoped he and his deputy could get support from society so that they could improve residents' well-being.
In the first three months, the new mayor said he would focus on three major problems hampering Tangerang residents: floods, traffic congestion and unemployment.
'Within a year, we're targeting for there to be no more children dropping out of school. We will provide free education both in public and private schools and healthcare services,' said Arief.
Arief, who is the owner of the Sari Asih Hospital Group, was former Tangerang deputy mayor for 2008-2013 while Sachrudin had served as Piang district chief prior to his candidacy as deputy mayor.
Former Tangerang mayors Zakaria Mahmud and Wahidin Halim, former Tangerang regent Ismet Iskandar, Tangerang Regent Ahmed Zaki Iskandar and South Tangerang deputy mayor Benyamin Davnie were present at the ceremony.
The inauguration had been delayed for a fifth time on Wednesday as Ratu Atut failed to show.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named Ratu Atut a suspect for her alleged role in a bribery case involving former Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar. The governor, who is also implicated in a graft case surrounding the procurement of medical equipment in Banten, is detained in Pondok Bambu Penitentiary, East Jakarta. (ebf)
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