Arya Dipa, Bandung – Workers protesting the planned fuel prices hike in front of the West Java Provincial Legislative Council banished a Democratic Party councilor while he was addressing the crowd on Tuesday.

Awing Asmawi, the Democrat Party faction leader at the provincial council, was booed by workers for his party's support for the planned fuel prices hike. "Bring him down, he supports fuel prices hike," the workers yelled.

Awing was speaking on top of a car after council deputy speaker Ruddy Harsa Tanaya from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) who said he was with the workers in rejecting the price hikes.

Uu Rukmana from the Golkar Party also stated his opposition to the plan. "Let's pray together that the fuel prices hike is canceled. That's why we have to work together and be solid," Ruddy said, prompting cheers from the workers.

Meanwhile, Awing told the workers that he understood the fuel price hike would have positive and negative impacts. "I am from the Democratic Party and councilors from other parties are listening to your aspirations," he said.

As soon as he expressed his support for the planned hike, the workers started to yell demands for Awing to be brought down from the car roof.

"I support the fuel prices hike. Let's return to our duties," he said. "Let's pray together, if God listens to your prayers, let's hope your prayers are granted.

A number of workers approached the car, trying to bring down Awing, who was prevented from speaking any further by Rukmana. Dozens of police officers approached the car and escorted Awing down from the car and into the legislative council compound. (nvn)