The family of Indonesia's former strong man Soeharto denied Thursday they had lent support to President Megawati Soekarnoputri who is now seeking another term.

"It's not true if anyone says that the Cendana family supports Megawati," Soeharto's step brother Probosutedjo was quoted as saying by the Antara news agency.

Cendana, often used to call the Soehartos, is an exclusive housing complex in Central Jakarta where the Soehartos reside.

Probosutedjo made the remarks after Hartono, chairman of the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB), attended a ceremony for the declaration of support for Megawati.

PKPB was founded also by Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.

"Hartono doesn't belong to the Cendana family. He cannot say that Cendana supports Megawati," said Probosutedjo, who occasionally acts as the spokesperson for Soeharto since he stepped down from presidency in May 1998.

Soeharto has ruled Indonesia for 32 years and was ousted by nationwide rallies opposing his corrupt and authoritarian regime.

Source: Xinhua