Indonesian President Joko Widodo has postponed his visit to Australia after yesterday's protests in Jakarta turned violent.

Mr Widodo was due to land in Australia tomorrow for a three-day visit taking in Sydney and Canberra, where he was scheduled to address a joint sitting of the Federal Parliament.

But a statement from the Foreign Ministry said the current development had required the President to stay in Indonesia.

The President personally telephoned Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to inform him of the postponement.

Mr Widodo has tasked his Foreign Minister to discuss new dates for a visit in the near future, the statement said.

Mr Turnbull confirmed Mr Widodo called to inform him that the planned visit would have to be rescheduled due to the security situation in Jakarta.

"I said we were sorry we would not be able to welcome him to Australia tomorrow but entirely understood the need for him to remain in Indonesia at this time," Mr Turnbull said in a statement.

He said both leaders expressed disappointment the visit would not go ahead.

"While disappointing, we agreed the postponement will not affect the need for continued and enhanced cooperation across a range of shared interests and challenges, including the threat of terrorism to our region."

Jakarta police said yesterday they would secure 26 sites across the capital, with 18,000 police and military personnel to be deployed onto the streets.

Police said yesterday's clashes left one person dead from an asthma attack after they were exposed to tear gas.

The protesters are demanding Jakarta's Christian Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, be jailed for comments he made about the Koran.