Robert Go, Jakarta – Indonesia's reform initiatives have failed and the country needs a strong leader "who can do better", said retired General Wiranto.

The Suharto-era armed forces commander has become a serious contender for presidential elections later this year.

During an unprecedented two-hour luncheon talk attended by foreign journalists and diplomats on Thursday, he said he was a champion of democracy who has heard a "call of duty" to go for the top job, as there is "a lack of leadership in the country".

These remarks represented Gen Wiranto's first public salvoes against President Megawati Sukarnoputri and the reform-era government.

Said the one-time aide-de-camp to former strongman Suharto: "If we want to be honest, the process of reform, which has been in place for the past five years, has not actually brought about significant change."

He also blamed the slowness of Indonesia's economic recovery on the government in power, saying: "A weak and visionless leader will never be able to accelerate the process of restoring stability and national economy."

On Indonesia's serious problems – poverty, rising unemployment, separatism, sectarian conflicts and terrorism – he argued that the people "deserve a government that is much better than what is in place".

Although he is "optimistic" about his chances, he faces a first challenge from rivals within the political party of his choice, Suharto's Golkar party.

Golkar was discredited after Suharto's downfall in 1998, but its strong regional network has facilitated a rejuvenation during the last five years.

It has floated at least seven potential presidential candidates, including party leader and Parliamentary Speaker Akbar Tandjung, who maintains a strong support network despite a graft conviction.

Analysts said Golkar could increase its share of parliamentary seats in April's legislative elections, perhaps at the expense of Ms Megawati's PDI-P party.

Gen Wiranto is also dodging allegations of human rights abuses related to massacres that took place around East Timor's separation from Indonesia in 1999. United Nations prosecutors have issued an indictment for him.

He attempted to address his track record, saying: "A commander in chief should not always be held accountable for what military personnel have done." He drew a comparison to massacres by American forces during the Vietnam War, and pointed out that the US commander was not accused of human rights violations.