Jakarta – Thousands of residents the East Java's town of Situbondo Saturday built a roadblock on the Besuki-Banyuwangi road connecting Surabaya and Bali in protest of the House of Representatives' acceptance of an investigation report on two scandals involving President Abdurrahman Wahid.

"They closed the northern route after attending a grand rally at the Asembagus Islamic boarding school in Situbondo. The main road was closed from 10am to 8.30pm," chief of the Center for Operation and Control Command of the East Java's Police, Snr.Comr. SW Sabur, said Saturday night.

The protesters felled dozens of trees along the road, effectively closing down the road to traffic, Antara reported.

Sabur said he believed there was a connection between the closing of the road by the supporters of President Abdurrahman Wahid and the House's decision to issue a memorandum of censure to the President following its acceptance of the report of thespecial committee.

"Since they were very emotional, the police had to show patience in dealing with them," he said. By 9pm, the situation along the Besuki-Banyuwangi line had returned to normal although the road was still closed to traffic as dozens of trees were yet to be removed from Asembagus-Situbondo section of the road.