President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered the nation’s top police and military officers to work together to prevent another outbreak of violence in Ambon following Sunday’s deadly clashes.

“[The president] ordered the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs to coordinate with the National Police chief, military chief and Maluku governor to take certain preventive steps to avoid a wider conflict,” presidential spokesman Julian Pasha said on Monday.

“He also hopes that the minister can explain the real condition so the public would not get the wrong information that could lead to a worsening situation,” Julian said.

Sunday’s massive riot, which left at least three dead and 89 injured, is believed to have been sparked by a widely circulated SMS message saying that a motorcycle taxi driver had been attacked and killed. Word of mouth prompted a violent clash between two groups shortly after the man’s funeral took place on Sunday.

Julian said that Yudhoyono had ordered National Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo to strengthen security in Ambon by increasing the number of personnel in the area.

The president also has also asked for the military’s aid in keeping the situation under control.

“We’re doing preemptive and preventative efforts regarding the conflict,” Timur said on Monday. “The local government has also carried out the same efforts with our support under the control of the provincial police.”

Timur said that he had assigned four companies — around 400 police officers — to prevent further outbreaks of violence.