Slobodan Lekic, Jakarta – Indonesia's president, defiant before a hostile parliament, denied corruption charges Wednesday and questioned the constitutionality of efforts to remove him from office.

Adurrahman Wahid, who is nearly blind, sat impassively in front of the legislators as his response to a February 1 censure memorandum was read aloud by Justice Minister Baharudin Lopa. At one point, Wahid, 61, appeared to nod off. "I am sorry that I cannot accept the contents of this memorandum because it is not constitutional," Wahid's statement said.

If lawmakers formally reject Wahid's response to the censure, they can issue a second one. That would oblige Wahid to appear again. If the legislators again reject his explanation, they can open impeachment proceedings.

But nothing is likely to happen until the end of April, since the legislature goes on a three-week recess starting Monday. It will decide on its next step on April 30

Scoffing at allegations of involvement in two multimillion dollar corruption scandals, Wahid said: "I, myself, have not taken one cent." Wahid, a Muslim cleric, warned lawmakers that God would punish them if they tried to illegally remove him from office.

But he apologized for his "unworthy attitude" in not cooperating with the investigation into the financial scandals, as catcalls erupted in the chamber.

Wahid was implicated by a parliamentary inquiry in the illegal transfer of $4 million from the state food agency by a former business associate. He is also accused of failing to declare a $2 million aid donation from Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah, the ruler of neighboring oil-rich Brunei.

Some lawmakers applauded Wahid's response. But others said they had heard nothing to change their minds and that impeachment seemed certain. "All I can say is that his reply will not prevent him from being given a second censure," said Ade Kommarudin, a parliamentary deputy.

If ousted, Wahid would probably be replaced by his popular vice president, Megawati Sukarnoputri, who heads the largest party in Indonesia.

A prominent political analyst, Dede Oetomo, said Wahid's political survival hinged on the support of Megawati's party – the largest in the assembly – and of the armed forces, which have 38 seats. "If he doesn't get the support of those two, he is finished," Oetomo said.

Wahid, Indonesia's first freely elected head of state following four decades of authoritarian rule, assumed office in October 1999. He has been sharply criticized for his failure to curb corruption, prosecute key figures in Indonesia's former authoritarian regime and reform the country's ailing economy. He also has been unable to stop outbreaks of ethnic violence.