Lindsay Murdoch, Jakarta – Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri has reaffirmed her support for President Abdurrahman Wahid amid growing calls for his resignation.

Ms Megawati, Indonesia's most popular politician, said though she is ready to become president, she does not want to see Mr Wahid removed from office. "I worry that if a president is toppled ... then such action could happen with future presidents," she told a meeting of her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.

Influential members of the political elite have been calling for Mr Wahid to resign over his erratic style of leadership and corruption scandals at the presidential palace. The economy is floundering, reform of the military has stalled, demands for independence are growing in restive provinces, and the value of the rupiah continues to fall.

But Mr Wahid is showing no sign of giving up the job he was elected to in October last year by a shaky political coalition that ended decades of authoritarian rule.

Observers say attempts by the President's political rivals to unseat him would almost certainly fail unless Ms Megawati, whose party controls the biggest number of seats in parliament, abandoned support for him.

"I have no reason to refuse if nominated to become president," the state-owned Antara newsagency yesterday quoted her as telling supporters. "The readiness of a vice-president to become president isn't a requirement for the resignation of the President."

But Ms Megawati's relationship with Mr Wahid has been stormy at times and remains strained, government sources say.