Markus Junianto Sihaloho – Former President Megawati Sukarnoputri has given her strongest hint yet that she may contest the 2014 presidential election, suggesting on Monday that moves to regenerate the party's ranks should not be aimed at shifting power.

At an event to inaugurate the new leadership board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI-P) youth wing, Taruna Merah Putih, Megawati conceded that a generational change in the country's main opposition party was inevitable.

"We need regeneration, but it has to be about [pushing through] the best [members]," she said. "Don't make it about a power grab. For me, the question of young or old is a relative one."

Megawati, 65, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2004 and 2009, has faced mounting calls, including from her husband, Taufik Kiemas, not to stage another bid in 2014 and instead allow the PDI-P to nominate a younger member. However, she reiterated that age should not be an issue.

"For me, there's no such thing as old or young. You can have a 20-year-old who, because of drugs, is unhealthy and no longer thinks clearly. Conversely, you can have an older person who, because of better life choices, has plenty of energy and does well. It's all relative," she said.

PDI-P youth wing chairman Maruarar Sirait said that although the party had not decided on its presidential candidate, the youth wing wanted Megawati to stand. "All the members of Taruna Merah Putih support a Megawati presidential bid in 2014," Maruarar said.

The question of the PDI-P's eventual candidate remains the subject of much speculation. Last October, Taufik said he believed his wife would be too old to run in 2014 and suggested she make way for a younger candidate.

It is widely believed that their daughter, Puan Maharani, 38, is being groomed to take over from the party matriarch, although Taufik stopped short of singling her out by name.

Puan responded at the time by saying she was prepared to take up the mantle, "especially if it is mandated by the party." "My grandfather was president, my mother was also president, and hopefully in 2014 we can win," she said.