N

ational Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo ordered the 11 newly installed regional police chiefs to address cases of graft and communal conflict in their jurisdictions.

Following the swearing-in ceremony of the new police chiefs on Wednesday, Timur said that to effectively follow the directives they must cooperate with the relevant institutions dealing.

'Corruption cases need to be carefully handled [...] cooperation with the prosecutors office and the KPK [Corruption Eradication Commission] is a must,' he said at National Police headquarters in South Jakarta.

The National Police together with the House of Representatives and the Religious Affairs Ministry were named among the most corrupt government institutions in the country.

Last year, the police handled 1,171 graft cases, a significant increase from 766 cases in 2011. The total state losses from the cases was Rp 1.57 trillion (US$160.14 million), down from Rp 2 trillion in 2011.

The National Police were also criticized for their inability to deal with communal tension that mostly erupts through land disputes and religious intolerance.

Data from the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) said 32 communal conflicts broke out last year, killing 28 and injuring 200.

Timur, who is expected to retire in August, ordered the new chiefs to focus on terrorism, drug problems and maintaining security ahead of the 2014 elections.

Insp. Gen. Suhardi Alius, on of the new police chiefs, said after the ceremony that he would crack down on motorbike thugs in West Java. 'My priorities include the [Idul Fitri] travel exodus and motorbike thugs. We will try to solve this problem,' Suhardi said.

Tubagus, once one of the strongest candidates to replace Timur, was recently under the spotlight for protecting graft convict Comr. Gen. (ret.) Susno Duadji from prosecutors attempting to apprehend him.

Former National Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) commander Insp. Gen. Unggung Cahyono was installed as East Java Police chief, replacing Insp. Gen. Hadiatmoko.

Former National Police chief expert staff Insp. Gen. Dwi Priyatno is now Central Java Police chief, replacing Insp. Gen. Didiek Tri Widodo.

South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Mudji Waluyo was replaced by Insp. Gen. Burhanuddin Andi, a trainer on the National Police leadership program.

On Wednesday, Timur also installed new police chiefs in North Sumatra, East Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Riau, Riau Islands and Jambi.