President instructs West Java governor, Tasikmalaya regent to be alert after earthquake

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 09/02/2009 4:30 PM

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono instructed West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan and Tasikmalaya Regent Tatang Farhanul Hakim to get ready with necessary measures after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the province on Wednesday.

State Secretary Hatta Radjasa said he received a call from the President who gave the instruction, Antara reported.

Hatta said the central government had not yet been able to communicate with the West Java administration to check for any damages or casualties.

The earthquake was centered 138 kilometers southwest of Tasikmalaya and 38 kilometers beneath the seabed. Residents in Jakarta and Yogyakarta have also felt the tremor.