PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday he was set for another role change, but not as an "interfering ex-prime minister".

The outgoing premier, who has had mixed fortunes in his 45 years in politics, said he would continue to perform his duties as member of parliament for Kepala Batas after he leaves office, but as former leader there were many ways for him to offer ideas to his successor or anybody else.

"You could chat over a cup of tea which was mainly what I had been doing," he told editors at a farewell lunch at his official residence.

"I believe in that kind of engagement. Sometimes the person in front of me ended up crying. But the important thing was I did not shame anybody and will continue not to shame anybody."

Abdullah, who is handing over the prime ministership to Datuk Seri Najib Razak following an agreed succession timetable, is due for an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara tomorrow to convey his intention to step down.

He was frank and open at the gathering yesterday, at times laughing off suggestions that he could have achieved more in the five years he was prime minister.

He said he bore no grudge against his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had attacked him for rescinding pet projects such as the "crooked bridge" to Singapore.

"Maybe I could have handled Dr Mahathir better but never mind," he said to a question.

Abdullah said there would be no such disputes over his legacy, which he left to others to interpret. He only hoped that it would be based on the facts of his initiatives.

"We spent hours and hours talking on some issues, and I will not be angry with Najib," he said when asked whether there was any agreement between him and Najib on the fate of projects that had already been decided during his term.

He said a project that brought benefit had no reason to be stopped though there could be room for adjustments.

Abdullah also alluded to the so-called missed opportunities of his five-year stewardship, especially when he was riding high after leading Barisan Nasional to its greatest general election triumph in 2004.

"Everything that I had wanted to do was there in the election manifesto. It is not the long or short of it that matters but what you set out to achieve," he said.

Asked whether he regretted allowing so much space for public opinion and discourse, he said: "I do not regret it because I believe that freedom must come with moral limitations.

"There has to be political education for everyone on how to exercise freedom and how to handle race relations."

Abdullah was also asked whether his nice and friendly character had backfired on him, especially on his punctuality.

He admitted that being late for functions was one of his weaknesses which had upset his late wife many times.

"But what could I do? Sometimes I had to finish attending to my guests in one function before I move to the next."

Although he had enjoyed being prime minister, Abdullah said he would not miss it in retirement.

"Life is a time of changing roles. I can still be useful. Pomp and pageantry don't matter. The PM's job is a lot of work, it is exciting."

-The New Straits Times