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Jakarta, Indonesia- Indonesian police fired water cannons to break up a demonstration on Tuesday by about 1,000 stone-throwing protesters here who were demanding the president resign over a recent fuel price hike.
The protesters blocked traffic and burned tyres outside parliament as they called for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to step down and repeal a 30-per cent rise in the price of fuel.
They also tried to force their way through a locked gate in front of parliament before being dispersed by the water cannons.
There were no reports of injuries.
Last month's fuel price hike triggered protests throughout the archipelago, but a government scheme to offer cash compensation and free rice to the poor has helped dull public anger.
Mr Yudhoyono said the price rise was vital to rein in the cost of a multi-billion dollar subsidy scheme, which was ballooning on the back of high oil prices. -- AFP
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