Jakarta – Defence Minister Muhammad Mahfud has confirmed rumours that President Abdurrahman Wahid proposed to impose martial law prior to parliament's decision to censure him last Thursday.

The Indonesian Observer yesterday quoted Mr Muhammad as saying that the President had sought support from his aides to impose martial law during a meeting with the Rectors' Forum at the presidential palace on Jan 27.

"President Abdurrahman said that if the state's condition worsened, he would propose the decree in an attempt to stabilise the situation," said Mr Muhammad.

He added that Mr Abdurrahman had claimed that martial law would be a warning to the five provinces that have pledged to secede from Indonesia.

Mr Muhammad said that the proposal consisted of three points: imposition of martial law, freezing parliament, and holding a snap general election.