Pacific

Indonesia president cancels trip abroad after deadly protest

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Muslim protesters chant slogans near burning police trucks during a clash with the police outside the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. Police in the Indonesian capital clashed with hard-line Muslim protesters refusing to disperse after a massive protest Friday to demand the arrest of the city's minority-Christian governor for alleged blasphemy. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) (The Associated Press)

Protesters use sticks to attack riot police during a clash outside the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. Police in the Indonesian capital clashed with hard-line Muslim protesters refusing to disperse after a massive protest Friday to demand the arrest of the city's minority-Christian governor for alleged blasphemy. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana) (The Associated Press)

A Muslim youth carries a riot shield near burning police trucks, during a clash with the police outside the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. Police in the Indonesian capital clashed with hard-line Muslim protesters refusing to disperse after a massive protest Friday to demand the arrest of the city's minority-Christian governor for alleged blasphemy. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) (The Associated Press)

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has canceled a visit to Australia after a massive rally in the capital by Muslim hard-liners descended into violence, leaving one dead and 12 injured.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry says Jokowi's trip scheduled from Sunday to Tuesday will be rescheduled because "current development has required the president to stay in Indonesia."

Jokowi addressed the nation late Friday after clashes broke out between police and hard-liners who refused to disperse. They demanded the arrest of Jakarta's minority-Christian governor for alleged blasphemy.

Police say one elderly man died from asthma attack after being exposed to tear gas, and the injured included eight soldiers and police and four civilians.

Jokowi blamed "political actors" for taking advantage of the rally. His predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono backed the protest.