Indonesia's Megawati Sukarnoputri, under increasing fire in her last days as president for failing to admit poll defeat, has come under new criticism from the country's military chief over controverisal promotions.

General Endriartono Sutarto, who tended his resignation earlier this month, said that two retired generals recently awarded honorary rank promotions by Megawati did not merit them.

In an interview with Tempo weekly magazine, Sutarto attacked the promotions given to top security minister Hari Sabarno and national intelligence agency chief Abdullah Hendropriyono by Megawati as her term nears its end.

"If there are to be any, such rank promotions should be for people who have given extraordinary services to the Indonesian armed forces. This is not the case with these two," he said.

Sutarto, who last month offered his resignation to Megawati citing his age and a need for new blood in the military leadership, said the promotions should only have been made after extensive consultation with the armed forces.

The outgoing military chief, seen as a straightforward general who is a staunch supporter of civilian supremacy and military reforms, denied persistent rumours that the promotions were behind his resignation.

"I resigned because I want a regeneration process to take place," he said. At 57, Sutarto is already two years past official retirement age for senior officers.

He also added that although he filed his resignation letter on September 24, it was yet to be formally accepted by Megawati, who will be replaced as president by ex-general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday.