Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp users in Indonesia have been blocked from using the sites by the government in the wake of post-election violence.

Social media users in western Indonesia have said they have been unable to access the popular sites on cellphones and computers since Wednesday afternoon (May 22).

A local citizen, Yudi Prama Agustino from Bukittinggi city, complained that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp were not accessible.

Some users have taken to installing VPN on their cellphones in an attempt to circumvent the curbs.

The block is a first for Indonesia, according to Newsflare's reporter.

“To avoid provocations, the spread of fake news through the community, we will limit access to certain features on social media,” Reuters news agency cited Indonesia's chief security minister as saying.

Six people were killed in unrest that hit Jakarta on Tuesday night after it was confirmed that President Joko Widodo won last month’s election.

Post-election riots after the protests against the re-election of Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta resulted in temporary access to some social media by the government.

According to social media users in western Indonesia, unable to access social media on cellphones and computers began to experience since Wednesday afternoon.

Yudi Prama Agustino, a social media users in Bukittinggi city Wednesday night (May 22) said several social media including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Whatsapp that were not accessible.

Although they agree with the government's decision, but in order to continue to share news on social media, each of Yudi installs the VPN application on their cellphone.

This limitation is the first time in Indonesia.

Social media blocking is carried out by the government to avoid provocations and hoaxes that are spread by the public through social media after the riots.