Jakarta – Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono flew into restive Makassar on Tuesday, a day after violent protests against Yudhoyono's government in the South Sulawesi capital.

An estimated 2,000 police and military police officers were deployed to prevent about 300 students from reaching the Hotel Clarion on Jalan AP Pettarani where the national governors working meeting is being held.

A number of senior ministers are accompanying Yudhoyono and first lady Ani Yudhoyono, including Minister for Youths and Sport Affairs Andi Mallarangeng and the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto.

Three-hundred students from (Makassar State University (UNM) are being kept about 300 meters from the venue. Security forces have also been deployed to Hassanudin University and Muslim Indonesia University (UMI).

On Monday, around 30 students and from the from the UMI school of law, clashed with police. The protesters rallied in front of their campus on Jalan Urip Sumoharjo, burning tires, blocking major roads with Pertamina fuel tankers and pelting police and their squad cars with stones.

Muhammad Ali, action coordinator of the law faculty, said Yudhoyono was not welcome in Makassar "for failing to care for his [people] better," citing corruption cases and rights abuses.

The police arrested a 22-year-old student named Aris, and students retaliated by holding a traffic police officer hostage for three hours. Authorities said the policeman was walking in front of the campus when he was seized by the protesters. (Antara, JG)