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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Some 1,000 workers from Jakarta, Tangerang and West Java staged a protest against the government`s decision to raise fuel oil prices in front of the Merdeka Palace here Monday.

The demonstrators criticized the government`s policy and rejected the distribution of direct cash assistance (BLT) as compensation for the fuel oil price hikes.

At one point during the rally , a number of demonstrators who apparently could not stand the heat of the sun retreated to one side of the street to sit under the shade of trees but their coordinators prodded them to remain in standing position in front of the palace.

The demonstrators planned to convey a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono demanding that the president revoke the government`s decision to raise fuel oil prices.

The protest did not cause a heavy traffic jam in Jalan Thamrin-Sudirman main streets.

Hundreds of police guarded the protest while Monas Square lying across the street from Merdeka Palace was lined with barbed wire. The police were also equipped with tear-gas guns.

Hours before the rally, the Jakarta Police`s Traffic Management Center (TMC) had called on motorists to avoid Jalan Merdeka Utara (where the State Palace is located) and take alternative routes.

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