"I don't think anybody doubts that Mr Nathan has the full confidence and support of Singaporeans in the last six years," Lee said in remarks published Wednesday in which he also challenged would-be contender Andrew Kuan.

Kuan, 51, surprised the political establishment last week when he declared plans to run for president and quit the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) if declared eligible.

If Kuan is allowed to run, Singapore will have its first contested presidential election in 12 years. Nathan won his current six-year term in 1999 when no other candidate was certified by poll watchdogs.

Few Singaporeans expect Kuan to beat Nathan, a well-connected former diplomat, civil servant and domestic intelligence chief.

Although the post is largely ceremonial, the president has the potential to pose problems for the government, empowered on paper to veto government budgets and appointments to public office.

The prime minister challenged Kuan, the former chief financial officer of a state-linked industrial park developer, to make full disclosure about his "interesting employment career," Today newspaper reported.

"It's a very serious matter to stand to be elected as president. It's a very important job, as you'll be the icon for the whole of Singapore," it quoted him saying. "Internationally, you'll be looked upon as the symbol of the nation."

Veteran opposition leader J.B. Jeyaretnam said the remarks reinforced the view that the ruling party "handpicks its president and will not tolerate anyone else."

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