The closing of the toll road, which connects Cawang in East Jakarta and Slipi in West Jakarta, prevented vehicles from entering from either direction.
Earlier, the protesters, who were members of student organizations and trade unions, smashed the separation fence on the toll road so that they could enter it.
Protest coordinators had urged the crowd not to enter the toll road, but they did not heed the warning.
Also, thousands of people rallied against the planned fuel price hike in front of the state palace.
The demonstrators, who were from a number of Islamic organizations, had earlier marched about 2.5 kilometers from the Hotel Indonesia roundabout to the palace.
Clad in white, some demonstrators carried banners and flags.
The demonstrators crowded Merdeka Barat Street on their way to the state palace, causing traffic to backup.
Shortly after arriving in front of the palace, the demonstrators performed Ashar evening prayers at 3:40 pm and later continued shouting slogans in protest of the planned fuel oil price hike.
(T.A014/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
