Robert Go, Jakarta – President Megawati Sukarnoputri's complaint this week that the job of running Indonesia gives her headaches has made political rivals, as well as a member of her own party, suggest a cure: That she resign.

Ms Megawati said on Wednesday: "All this time, I get headaches taking care of the country's business. One issue solved, another problem pops up. That one taken care of, and yet another takes its place." Her comments were made during a formal speech at the presidential palace in Jakarta to commemorate National Productivity Day.

The first to respond to Ms Megawati is Mr Nurcholis Madjid, a Muslim scholar who has said he would run in Indonesia's first direct presidential elections next July.

Cak Nur, as the Muslim leader is popularly known, said: "The President should not have said that. As a leader, she should project the ability to take care of problems. Megawati's comment suggests she is unfit and lacks the skills to be president."

Mr Yahya Zaini, a senior member of the Golkar party, agreed: "Before becoming leaders, we have to realise it would be a tough job. No matter how difficult it gets, the President has to bear that burden, and perform with enthusiasm." The MP added that Indonesia needs a strong leader. He singled out Malaysia and South Korea as countries with quality leadership.

Ms Megawati's comments ruffled feathers even among her own party – the PDI-P. Mr Haryanto Taslam, a known critic within the PDI-P party, said: "If Megawati is getting headaches, then it would be best if she quits. People with headaches can't come up with correct decisions. If Megawati can't do the job, the party better nominate someone else for next year."

Analysts said critics are not simply taking potshots at the President less than a year ahead of elections, but are addressing the idea that the country is in the midst of a leadership crisis.

Common folk, in polls done by government and private researchers during the past year, have consistently indicated a declining faith in Ms Megawati's ability to govern. But at the same time, they have not indicated a clear preference for any other candidate.

However, the latest such survey, conducted last month by the Centre for the Study of Development and Democracy, showed 13 per cent of 3,000 respondents from across the country picking Security Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for their next leader. Ms Megawati placed second with merely 7 per cent of the votes.

In what analysts see as an expression of general disenchantment with Indonesia's leaders, an overwhelming 46 per cent of those polled said they could not decide, while 5 per cent said none of the politicians deserved to lead.

Mr Rizal Mallarangeng, director of Freedom Institute, said: "Support for Megawati is clearly declining, but she remains the strongest overall candidate compared to the others." He and other analysts said the President's "headaches" comment was a blunder, but no rival could really take advantage of that due to their own weak positions.

Mr Rizal argued: "As the incumbent, Megawati still has advantages. She should be able to move beyond the headaches comment."