Agencies in Jakarta – President Abdurrahman Wahid raised the stakes in Indonesia's political crisis yesterday, saying he would not hand further powers to his popular deputy and ruling out a reply to a second parliamentary censure for alleged corruption.

At a hastily convened news conference, Mr Wahid reacted angrily when asked what power he might give up to Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri. "What power?" he said. "I have already given her everything. She is happy." For the past week a team of seven ministers and the powerful Speaker of the lower house of Parliament and leader of the former ruling Golkar party, Akbar Tandjung, have been proposing that Mr Wahid hand over more responsibilities to her.

Last August, he promised to hand over responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Government to Ms Megawati. But critics say his promise came to little and are demanding he formally surrender power.

Yesterday, Mr Wahid said the August arrangement remained in place and that he was not prepared to give up more powers. Instead, he insisted he must remain in charge of appointing senior officials and cabinet ministers and determining basic government policy. He rejected reports of a widening rift between himself and Ms Megawati.

Last week, the Parliament censured Mr Wahid for the second time over alleged corruption and incompetence. He was given one month to improve his performance or face impeachment. He said he would not formally respond to the censure by the June 1 deadline. "If there was a response it would be catastrophic for the Parliament," the President said, without elaborating.

Many lawmakers and members of Mr Wahid's cabinet have suggested the President can only avoid impeachment if he quits or shares power with Ms Megawati. "He is slowly committing political suicide," said Alvin Lie, an outspoken legislator who took part in parliamentary investigations that resulted in the censures.

Ms Megawati, the daughter of Indonesia's founding leader, Sukarno, has not publicly commented on the political crisis. But her party holds the largest share of seats in the legislature and has led the charge against him.

Earlier Mr Wahid's doctors said the President, who is almost blind and has suffered several strokes, would undergo a medical check-up today. There have been growing calls for Mr Wahid, 60, to undergo an independent health examination.

He has been accused of being erratic in policy-making, which has been attributed to his deteriorating health. Mr Wahid said rumours of illness were unfounded. Hours earlier, he fell asleep and missed Friday Muslim prayers for the first time since becoming president.