Scene: Police told to improve security after attack

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President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked the National Police to investigate an explosion at a security post near the iconic Gladak statue in Surakarta, Central Java.

“The President heard the news [about the explosion] and instructed the National Police to remain cautious and work to their maximum capability,” presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha told the press on Monday.

Julian added that the President had also told the police to improve their security measures to prevent a similar incident from occurring.

A security post in Surakarta became the target of an attack by an unidentified person on Saturday. The assailant, who is believed to have been riding a motorbike at the time of the attack, allegedly threw a grenade at the post.

Surakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Asdjima’in said the attack had damaged several chairs at the security post, Antara news agency reported.

An investigative team subsequently found debris at the site, which is believed to have been explosive material.