Indonesia's Vice-president, Hamzah Haz, has won the backing of a powerful group from his Islamic party for a possible presidential challenge in 2004.

The chairman of the United Development Party's in East Java, Hafidz Ma'shum, says its 38 branches have all agreed to push for the nomination of Mr Haz as the party's presidential candidate.

East Java, a traditional Muslim stronghold, has the largest provincial chapter of the United Development Party which is the country's main Islamic party.

The vice-president was last week quoted as saying that he would be prepared to be nominated for the presidency in 2004 if the people wanted it.

He has been criticised for his meetings with a Muslim cleric who has been linked by Singapore to regional terrorism and with the detained leader of an Islamic militia.

Critics say he is seeking support from hardline Muslim groups before the 2004 elections.

The People's Consultative Assembly elects a president and a vice president following legislative elections which are held every five years.