Markus Junianto Sihaloho – Police say they will pursue President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's allegation that a group will try to topple him in a coup before 2014, but others have dismissed the claim as an effort to divert attention from a planned increase in fuel prices.

National Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo said he had heard the president's allegation and would deploy his intelligence officers and detectives to investigate the threat.

During a meeting with Democratic Party officials at his private residence in Cikeas, West Java, on Sunday, Yudhoyono said a "strange" group had started a move aiming to unconstitutionally unseat him and Vice President Boediono before 2014.

"There is an unconstitutional movement conducted by those who reject competing fairly through democratic process. The bottom line is that this group wants SBY to fall down before 2014 without a clear reason," he said, referring to his initials.

Yudhoyono said the group would use the momentum of the fuel price increase to spark provocation and agitation.

According to the president, the government's plan to raise fuel prices has been politicized "What we see is that we have been convinced that any policy to raise fuel prices is bad and must be fought," he said.

Yudhoyono said he realized that the policy was unpopular, adding that he was ready to face the risk. "Every day I receive text messages," he said. "Some pray for me to always be in good condition. Others condemn me, even threaten to kill me."

Yudhoyono also questioned why some people rejected the government's plan to directly give cash to the poor to compensate them for the impact of the fuel price increase.

Yudhoyono's statement about a possible coup, however, prompted criticism from inside his coalition government and the opposition. Nasir Jamil, deputy chairman of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), one of Yudhoyono's coalition partners, said that the presidents complaints had a negative impact on the public.

"As a president, he should show toughness and strength, rather than complaining and showing that he is a weak man," Nasir said. "People will feel that if their president is such a weak man then how will ordinary people cope with difficult conditions?"

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Pramono Anung doubted there was a group that would topple the president. He said it was impossible for such a group, if it exists, to launch a coup because Yudhoyono was supported by major parties in the coalition, while the military, intelligence agencies and police have supported him.