Dian Kuswandini, Jakarta – Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri was officially sworn in by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace on Tuesday as the new National Police chief.

Bambang, who attained his four-star promotion a day earlier, replaces Gen. Sutanto, who began his retirement on Sept. 30. Bambang will serve as National Police chief until 2010.

After the ceremony, the 56-year-old general reaffirmed his commitment to push for an institutional reform within the police force, particularly in improving the force's image.

"Internal reform is at the top of my concerns. Disciplining disgraced police officers is our top priority," Bambang said. "Stricter sanctions will be imposed on such officers with no exceptions, no matter their rank."

Bambang said internal reform was needed to raise police performance in general. Such internal reform, he went on, should start with monitoring police performance on the streets and in public service centers, where illegal fees are often levied.

"Scrapping (bad) practices in these areas would prevent other unwanted behavior," he said.

He explained he would set up a special team, comprising the police's intelligence unit and professionalism and security division, to tackle the problem of illegal fee demands.

Bambang also said he would continue programs started by Sutanto, including tackling gambling, illegal logging, illegal fishing, illegal mining, corruption, drug abuse and security threats.

"I will not tolerate a gambling center like that in the Genting Highlands resort (in Malaysia)," he stressed.

Bambang will take up office after a transfer of command from Sutanto on Oct. 9 in a ceremony at the Mobile Brigade headquarters in Kelapa Dua, Depok, south of Jakarta. Until that time, police chief duties will be undertaken by deputy chief Comr. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara.

Bambang, who previously served as chief of the National Police's Criminal Investigation Unit, has handed over the reins of this unit to deputy Insp. Gen. Paulus Purwoko.

The only candidate nominated by the President to lead the National Police, Bambang secured support from all 10 factions at the House of Representatives' Commission III last week with positive comments. A graduate of the National Police Academy in 1974, Bambang's stellar track record includes his achievements in arresting former State Intelligence deputy chief Muchdi Purwopranjono as a suspect in the 2004 murder of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib.

While serving as North Sumatra Police chief, Bambang drew praise for successfully ordering the arrest of major illegal logging suspect Adelin Lis.

Following Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony, Sutanto was full of praise for his successor.

"I believe Bambang can continue all the efforts I've made so far," he said.

Sutanto said he had yet to decide what to do after retiring. There is a possibility he may be posted as an ambassador, such as previous police chiefs Da'i Bachtiar and Rusdihardjo, who served as envoys to Malaysia. Failing that, Sutanto may serve as the new president commissioner of state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina.

"I know my ability and capacity. I don't think I have the ability needed for those positions, whether as ambassador or commissioner," he said.