A protest in Jakarta has turned violent with hardline Muslims attacking police and media crews and setting cars on fire.

Key points: Protesters were demanding Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama's arrest, for comments made about the Koran

Protesters were demanding Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama's arrest, for comments made about the Koran Scene turned violent with crowd burning police cars, trying to break through police lines

Scene turned violent with crowd burning police cars, trying to break through police lines Police spokesman says one person died, 12 were hurt

Led mainly by the group known as Islamic Defenders Front, tens of thousands of protesters came out onto the streets of Jakarta to demand the arrest of Christian Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok, for comments he made about the Koran.

At its peak police said there were 150,000 protesters, but the group leading the violence was smaller than that.

A police spokesman said one person died and 12 were hurt.

Many of the protesters had dispersed after a day of largely peaceful protests outside the Presidential Palace.

But those who remained turned violent, clashing with police, setting vehicles alight, and attacking a local television crew while they were on air.

Police were forced to deploy tear gas to disperse the protesters, with local television footage showing a fire breaking out.

Loading

A spokesman for the national police, Rikwanto, told the ABC the group had begun provoking police in the afternoon and became violent about 8:00pm (local time).

Protesters had been trying to break through the police line. Helicopters hovered in the air and more police and soldiers were brought in.

About 20,000 officers and soldiers were dispersed onto the streets to protect 26 sites across the city.

Muslim groups have accused Mr Purnama, who is seeking election at a local poll in February, of blasphemy after he said his opponents had deceived voters by attacking him using a verse from the scripture.

During the protests, some began throwing rocks and bottles at riot police while others chanted that the Governor should be killed.

Into the evening, protesters were also shown by local media in north Jakarta, near to Mr Purnama's residence. At times police were seen struggling to control the violent crowd.

Security was tightened in Jakarta — a sprawling city of 10 million — ahead of the protests, and police deployed armoured vehicles and armed personnel in the area.

Military helicopters also hovered in the skies above, with fears extremists in the group could turn violent.

Earlier, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his Vice President called for peace as tensions rose ahead of the demonstration.

Australians were warned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to stay away from the rally, with reports extreme elements of the crowd could use the opportunity to incite violence.

"We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, including Bali," it said.

The travel advisory also warned related protests could take place in other Indonesian cities.