Opposition figure Megawati Sukarnoputri Wednesday called on her supporters not to take part in violent protests against the government despite an ongoing economic crisis. "Please avoid violent acts in any form", she said in a statement.

Her plea follows an outbreak of social unrest in several parts of the islands of Java and Sulawasi in recent days.

Police have said the trouble was the result of rising prices for food and fuel. Mobs in several towns and villages have attacked stores primarily owned by Indonesia's ethnic Chinese minority, who dominate commerce.

She also called on her supporters to live modestly during the economic crisis and not flaunt their wealth in ways that would trigger "jealousy and social unrest".

In her statement Megawati called on her followers not to be provoked by those "who would deliberately disgrace your sacred mission and struggle for truth, justice and democracy in the archipelago".

Several small and peaceful pro-Megawati demonstrations have been staged outside the national Parliament in Jakarta since she put herself forward as a (presidential) candidate.