Indonesia's President Suhahrto was Monday granted unspecified new security powers to counter social unrest and subversion.

The People's Consultative Assembly which is set to return Suharto Tuesday to office for a seventh term gave no details of the powers in a decree announcing the move.

"The People's consultative Assembly has given the president the special duty and privilege to take steps deemed necessary to rescue and maintain the nation's unity and avoid social unrest and other subversive acts," the decree said.

The use of such powers by the 76-year old leader who has held the post for 32 years, and his vice-president was in line with the country's constitution, added the decree signed by the House speaker, Harmoko.