Indonesia militia crackdown

President Wahid has thousands of fanatical supporters

Indonesian police have ordered thousands of militia supporters of President Abdurrahman Wahid to disband and to hand over their weapons immediately.

Thousands of fanatical supporters have signed up to join the so-called suicide squads in recent weeks. They have been receiving military-style training in camps in East Java

Under Indonesian law, military training by civilians is illegal

Suroyo Bimantoro, Indonesian national police chief

Eyewitnesses have reported seeing thousands of the president's most fanatical followers training to use traditional weapons such as machetes and swords.

The militants have vowed to fight to stop the embattled president - who is facing impeachment over corruption allegations - being forced out of office.

On Tuesday, national police chief Suroyo Bimantoro was quoted by Indonesian newspapers as ordering his men in East Java to end the militants' exercises.

He told the Media Indonesia newspaper: "Under Indonesian law, military training by civilians is illegal."

'Routine training'

The main militia leader, Wiro Sugiman told the BBC that their training was routine and only for self-defence.

Wahid supporters say they will not stand for the president's impeachment

However, he added that 50,000 people from across East Java had now signed up to his organisation, called the Front for the Defender of Truth, which was established last month.

All members have to pledge their willingness to die in support of President Wahid, and, according to Mr Sugiman, they will travel to the capital, Jakarta, next week, just before the next session of parliament begins.

The BBC's Richard Galpin in Jakarta says the militants clear aim is to intimidate MPs into dropping plans to impeach the president.

"No one can stop us, not even Gus Dur [as Wahid is known in Indonesia] or the police," said Mr Sugiman

He warned: "We'll stop our activities only when those in parliament stop trying to oust the president."

Wahid under fire

Mr Wahid's critics accuse the president - who is beset with health problems - of being incapable of leading a country beset by communal unrest and economic decline.

Mr Wahid is suffering from a range of health problems

The beleagured leader has denied any wrongdoing in two financial scandals, insists he still has the backing of the people, and will serve out his term until 2004.

But parliament seems equally determined to press ahead with moves to oust him - and many observers fear an outburst of violence between the president's supporters and opponents is looking increasingly inevitable.