Thousands of people staged rallies in major cities across Indonesia on Thursday ahead of the announcement of fuel price rise, demanding the government to drop the plan and voicing dissatisfaction against the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono government.

About 2,000 people marched to the state palace here under tight surveillance of hundreds of police officers, but the rally was generally peaceful.

At the official residence of Vice President Jusuf Kalla, protesters threw stones at riot policemen.

The Jakarta police have said it deployed 5,500 officers to the expected mass protests.

Although the rallies didn't turn to be violent, the police sent its bomb squad to the Supreme Court's building near the state palace.

Long queues were seen at many gas pumps in the capital city, causing massive traffic jams and chaotic roads in many parts of Jakarta and its suburbs.

Local media reports said many gas pumps outside Java were running out of stocks, sparking anger among awaiting motorists.

In Palembang, capital of South Sumatra province, people slept at the gas pump stations waiting for the gasoline and diesel fuel supplies from state-run oil firm Pertamina.

In the Central Sulawesi capital of Palu, students burned tires after their attempt to enter the provincial legislative building was blocked by the police.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Aburizal Bakrie said the president is due to announce the size of the fuel price hike at 10 p.m. Jakarta time Friday.

Source: Xinhua