Jakarta – Indonesia's former armed forces chief, General Wiranto, denied yesterday that he has tried to seize power from President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

"I definitely will not allow myself to be trapped in such a game," the retired general told reporters.

Local press reports have alleged that Gen Wiranto is one of a handful of prominent political figures who is trying to take advantage of recent demonstrations against price rises to topple the government. Gen Wiranto denied he had links to the demonstrators.

Since early January hundreds of students, women's groups, workers and others have launched almost daily protests against rises in fuel, electricity and telephone rates.

Confronted with the most widespread public opposition to Ms Megawati's 18-month administration, the government said this week it would reduce the steep fuel price rise after earlier postponing the telephone rate increase.

Top security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said that political opponents were using the protests as a pretext to overthrow the government.

Without naming Gen Wiranto, the current military commander General Endriartono Sutarto this week appealed to retired military officers "to put national interests above personal ambition".

Gen Wiranto complained of "attempts to carry out character assassination" against him. "Until now I don't even have a political party and have never joined any party," he said