The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) stayed away from Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, on Saturday after hearing that locals had rejected their visit and were searching planes that landed looking members of the hardliner group.

Around 700 local residents searched passengers who got off airplanes that landed at Tjilik Riwut airport looking for FPI members. Some FPI members, including chairman Habib Rizieq, were headed to Palangkaraya for the inauguration of FPI board members at the Palangkaraya chapter.

"People rejected them and demonstrated," Norman Dani, head of Tjilik airport, said as quoted by Detik.com.

The Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) had earlier warned FPI not to go to Palangkaraya. But since members were already on their way, airport management called the airplane operator to divert the plane to Banjarmasin, East Kalimantan and asked FPI members to get off the plane. "We don't want any clashes or destruction, " Norman said.

After blocking the airport for more than two hours, locals dispersed when the airport announced that no FPI members would landed in Palangkaraya.