Camelia Pasandaran, Jakarta – The controversial new National Police chief, Comr. Gen. Timur Pradopo, said on Friday that his first job would be to gain the public's trust.

"We will continue our programs, mainly the strategic plan for 2010-14," Timur said after his inauguration. "We will continue to strengthen public trust with our focus on the strategic plan."

While Timur had no trouble passing a fit-and-proper test in the House of Representatives, his checkered human rights record from the last days of the Suharto era and his links to Islamist militia groups have caused rights activists and commentators to question his appointment.

He replaces Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri, who retired this month. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ignored the two candidates put forward by the outgoing chief – Nanan Soekarna and Imam Soedjarwo – in favor of Timur.

Timur said he would develop strong public safety programs that emphasized crime prevention and take account of public interest.

Under Bambang, the National Police had considerable success uncovering several terrorist networks in rural areas. But Timur said counterterrorism was not just a matter of law enforcement, and that it required rehabilitating suspects and preventing people from becoming attracted to terrorist networks.

Asked whether he would continue a newly announced policy of using deadly force against rioters, Timur said the shoot-to-kill order was not aimed at demonstrations but instead at acts of anarchy meant to destroy peace and order.

Yudhoyono and House Speaker Marzuki Alie had said the new police chief would be sworn in along with a new attorney general. However, no candidates have been announced to replace former Attorney General Hendarman Supandji, whose planned retirement was expedited by a court decision that he had not been properly appointed in the first place.

"We're still seeking a better candidate than Hendarman," Sudi Silalahi, the state secretary, said at the State Palace. "If we cannot find one, who knows? It could be Hendarman [again]."

Sudi said there was no set timetable for naming a new attorney general. "It is the right of the president to do so whenever he wants to," he said. "It is not tied to a schedule, but we hope it is soon."