'I am making myself available to run as a presidential candidate to once again lead this Indonesian state and nation,' he told a rally of his National Awakening Party (PKB) in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, according to the state Antara news agency.

He said his readiness to run for a second time was based on his conviction that 'a lot of Indonesians want a leader figure who is daring, honest and always puts the people's interest above everything else'.

The ex-president, the country's fourth, was kicked out of office and impeached in July 2001 amid accusations of incompetence and unproven allegations of corruption.

Mr Wahid is the third politician to formally announce his intention to run in the polls. So far, his former vice president Megawati Sukarnoputri, who replaced him, and ex-Jakarta governor Sutiyoso have said they were prepared.

The current president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has not yet stated whether he will run.

Mr Wahid's announcement means it is highly likely he will be nominated by the party for the leadership.

Mr Wahid, who is clinically blind, also sits on the board of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Islamic movement which claims more than 40 million members and supporters.

Indonesia held its first direct elections for president and vice president in 2004, with the next set for 2009. Mr Wahid did not run in 2004. -- AFP