``There are several alternatives. If it is not possible to fight for our candidate, we shall look for an alternative candidate,'' party leader Akbar Tandjung told reporters, adding the party could back unpopular Habibie's rivals from outside the party in next week's presidential election.

On Thursday, Habibie is due to give an account of his turbulent 16-month presidency to the country's top legislative assembly, which will choose the next president on October 20.

If the assembly rejects his speech, as some predict will happen, his hopes for re-election will be in tatters.

He faces popular opposition figurehead Megawati Sukarnoputri and charismatic Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid in the race for the presidency.

In a reference to Habibie's rivals, Tandjung said: ``(one)Alternative is to give support to the existing candidates.''