Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur, is a prominent figure in Indonesian politics and a longtime political ally of Megawati. But until today he had refused to endorse her presidential candidacy.

Wahid heads Nadlathul Ulama, the nation's largest Muslim organisation. After meeting National Mandate Party chairman Amien Rais, he proposed that Megawati serve as President and Rais as leader of the national parliament.

Wahid proposed that he act as head of the electoral college tasked with selecting the President. ``If my proposal is accepted, then we can stop worrying,'' Wahid said.

Indonesian clerics, politicians, and feminists have been bickering over whether Megawati, a Muslim, is suitable for the top job on the grounds of gender. Someclerics say they will not support a woman president and criticise Megawati's party for fielding too many non-Muslim candidates.

Official results from the June 7 parliamentary elections will not be announced until later this month and political leaders have been struggling to find a way out of an expected stalemate in the presidential race.