Dwi Lusiana, Malang, East Java – A Malang man who says he was attacked by two people in military and police uniforms near a hotel where President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was staying on Wednesday night has been arrested.

The injured man, Sulung Hadi Sukmawan, 25, was reportedly traveling with his friend Slamet by motorcycle on Wednesday night when they were intercepted by two officers. According to his lawyer, Sulung was struck with an iron bar.

"After being beaten, the victim fell unconscious and was taken to the nearest hospital," lawyer Rony Dwi Sulistiawan said on Thursday. "The victim is suffering serious injuries in the mouth and one arm."

A spokesman for Yudhoyono, Julian Aldrin Pasha, denied any involvement by presidential security officers. However, Julian said police would investigate and take action if necessary.

"The police will look into it," he said. "If any officers took action outside procedures or abused anyone, there will be sanctions. Clearly they are not members of the presidential guard."

Sulung – who lost six teeth and broke his left hand – had been named a suspect for trespassing and causing a traffic accident. The charges carry a maximum sentence of four years in jail.

Malang Police chief Adj. Comr. Fahri Siregar told the Jakarta Globe that Sulung was racing his motorcycle on the streets when he hit a bench set up by the police to block the area where the president was staying. Sulung was launched into the air as his bike fell and skidded along the street, the officer said.

"There was never any beating. This is purely an accident. [Sulung] was violating the traffic regulations and safety. It is clear that the injury was caused by the collision," he said.

The police officer said the bike hit a bystander named Slamet Haryadi who was injured in his left leg and right arm, adding that police had questioned witnesses who could verify Fahri's version of events.

Sulung denied he was speeding, saying that he was only going 40 to 50 kilometers an hour. "I was just riding my motorcycle that night and officers suddenly beat me up," he said.