Jakarta – Indonesia's Security Minister said yesterday that he wanted President Megawati Sukarnoputri to clarify his duties, following media reports that she had frozen him out of Cabinet meetings after he decided to run for the presidency.

"I will submit an official letter for a consultation on my position as Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs," Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told reporters.

Mr Susilo had not denied press reports that Ms Megawati had excluded him from Cabinet meetings and failed to consult him on security matters in recent weeks.

Media reports said the move was linked to the former general's intention to run for president in July.

Mr Susilo, 52, was placed third behind Ms Megawati and Mr Amien Rais in a January opinion poll on presidential preferences.

He has not officially announced his candidacy but the Democratic Party, a small group which he helped found in 2001, has said it will support him.

Last week, Ms Megawati's husband, Mr Taufik Kiemas, accused Mr Susilo of behaving like a child for allegedly complaining about being shut out of Cabinet meetings.

"Mr Susilo should come to Madam President and ask why he hasn't been invited, rather than speak in the newspaper. That's the act of a child," said Mr Taufik, who is an official of Ms Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party – Struggle. "It's inconceivable a four-star general is afraid of the President."

For the first time, Indonesians will elect their president and vice-president directly on July 5. A second round will be held on Sept 20 if no one secures more than half of the votes.