Jakarta – Outspoken Muslim scholar Amien Rais has suggested a national poll be held to determine whether the majority of Indonesians want President Suharto re-elected next year for a record seventh five-year term, the Jakarta Post reported yesterday.

"I still do not believe that all Indonesians want to re-elect Pak Harto," he told reporters after a seminar on the economy on Friday.

Mr Amien, chairman of the 28-million-strong Muhammadiyah Muslim organisation, said if the poll result showed a majority wanted Mr Suharto to stand again, "we all must honestly accept that".

But he added the 1,000-strong People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) – the country's highest legislative body which will meet next March to elect a new President – should also "take the poll result into consideration if a majority chooses the contrary".

Asked to comment on the ruling Golkar's announcement that it would renominate Mr Suharto, Mr Amien said the MPR should also consider voices other than political organisations.

"The MPR should be able to catch the informal messages of the people and then respond to their aspirations," he said.

"Renominating President Suharto would only mean that we turn him into a cult figure."

This was a reference to remarks by the Indonesian leader earlier this month that he did not want to be made into a cult figure.

He also told Golkar last weekend it should reconfirm its decision to nominate him with the people.

Mr Amien told reporters he believed there were many people eligible for the presidency: "I think there are many Indonesians who have the capacity equal to the first President Sukarno and incumbent President Suharto. The only thing to do is to give the eligible candidates the opportunity."

The view was shared by former Finance Minister Frans Seda, who said the younger generation lacked the opportunity to lead the country.

The Jakarta Post also reported yesterday that Golkar was making an all-out effort to persuade other groups in the MPR to follow its lead on backing Mr Suharto for another term.

The armed forces has hinted it would support his running again, the paper said.

Golkar MP Tutty Alawiyah reportedly said Mr Suharto's renomination by the MPR would not only be desirable, but would also show respect for the tradition of reaching decisions by consensus.

In a separate report, retired Lieutenant-General Moetojib, chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating board, warned that anti-government groups might try to disrupt the presidential election next year.