Jakarta – Dozens of students in Lampung province took to the streets yesterday to protest against a government plan to increase fuel prices and a rise in public transport fares, reports said.

They gathered at a main intersection in the provincial capital, Bandar Lampung, causing traffic jams, the state Antara news agency said.

They said in a statement that the rise in intercity transport fares, effective yesterday, and the planned fuel price hikes would cause more suffering for the people, who were struggling to emerge from the economic crisis. They also urged the government to provide more land for farmers, increase workers' salaries and provide affordable education.

Coordinating Minister for Economy Rizal Ramli announced on Thursday that the government would raise fuel prices next month. Initial price rises were planned for April 1, but were postponed in the face of massive opposition.

Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak said the price increase could not be delayed, and added that the timing was right, both socio-politically and economically.