The Explosion At Monas Did Not Disturb Jokowi's Activities At The Palace

Presidential palace area (Irvan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - An explosion occurred in the National Monument (Monas) area this morning. The source of the explosion is said to have come from a smoke grenade.

Presidential spokesman, Fadjroel Rachman, also had time to observe the location of the explosion not far from the Merdeka Palace. He made sure that the activities of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) remained safe.

"The palace is fine. The agenda is all running, from 09.30 WIB we received the Chancellor and the Minister of Research and Technology. At 10 we received the UI Chancellor and there was a meeting from Japan and at 14.00 WIB there was a Presidential Lecture on Pancasila. Nothing was postponed," said Fadjroel. to reporters at the Monas area, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, December 3.

Apart from having no agenda being disturbed, Fadjroel said that excessive security was also not visible, even though the explosion occurred near the Presidential Palace. "Just normal, not tightened, tightened just here," he said.

He also said that Jokowi had ordered security authorities such as the Police and TNI to carry out further investigations regarding the explosion.

"We leave it to the police, to investigate, we are waiting," he said.

Previously, the Head of Police for Metro Jaya Inspector General Pol Gatot Eddy Pramono said that the explosion came from a smoke grenade. Two members of the TNI Garrison, Serka Fajar Cemetery and Praka Gunawan were the first to find the smoke grenade.

"Where do we look at the goods," said Police Chief Inspector General Gatot at Monas, Tuesday, December 3.

The police immediately deployed the Jihandak team to secure the location. All evidence in the vicinity of the incident has been brought in for further investigation.

The Pangdam Jayakarta Maj. Gen. TNI Eko Margiyono explained that Serka Fajar's condition was quite severe, with injuries on the left hand. Meanwhile, Praka Gunawan was not too bad. Both of them have been evacuated to the Army Hospital for serious treatment.

The two people who are most responsible for the security of the capital city ensure that conditions in Jakarta are safe. They both emphasized that the citizens of the capital do not need to be alarmed by this incident. "This is nothing extraordinary," said Eko Margiyono.