SINGAPORE Police Commissioner Khoo Boon Hui, 54, has been elected the new head of Interpol, the world's largest international police organisation. He is the first Singaporean to be elected to the post and only the second South-east Asian in 28 years.

Mr Khoo, who began his career in the Singapore Police Force in 1977, won 75 per cent of the votes yesterday in Russia, easily beating his lone opponent, the director general of Chile's police force, Mr Arturo Jose Herrera Verdugo.

Mr Khoo said he was 'truly honoured' and promised to 'introduce changes that will allow Interpol to better meet the demands of international policing in the 21st century' during his four-year term. As president, Mr Khoo will not be in charge of Interpol's day-to-day operations, but will play a major role in setting direction and strategy.

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