Jakarta – Hundreds of supporters of Indonesia's former ruling party Golkar staged a show of strength outside parliament Thursday as legislators debated whether to call a special inquiry into corruption charges against Golkar leader Akbar Tanjung.

About 300 Golkar supporters, including members of an affiliated youth group in military-style uniforms, gathered outside parliament's main gate which was protected by barbed-wire barricades.

Another 300 or so supporters massed outside the attorney-general's office where Tanjung, who is also parliament speaker, was being questioned over the graft scandal.

Small groups of anti-Golkar demonstrators also took to the streets but no clashes were reported as hundreds of police imposed tight security on the area.

Two water cannon were parked inside the parliament compound and another inside the attorney-general's compound. Police sprinkled chemical powder, said to have a similar effect to tear gas, in some areas around the parliament gate to keep protesters back.

"Long live Golkar" and "Akbar is innocent" chanted the protesters, whose motivation was unclear. Two of them told AFP they were each promised 50,000 rupiah (five dollars) and a free lunch to attend. An unidentified person was seen handing money to some protesters.

Demonstrators outside parliament left following a heavy rain shower but stayed outside the attorney-general's office.