PUTRAJAYA: True to his character as a caring leader, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hosted lunch for his staff to thank them for their support and hard work.

The out-going Prime Minister and Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah invited some 130 staff from the Prime Minister's Office and Defence Minister's Office at Seri Perdana yesterday.

The staff clapped and cheered as Abdullah and Jeanne - both looking cheerful and all smiles - entered the banquet hall.

Abdullah told his staff that he appreciated their support throughout his five-year tenure as the country's fifth Prime Minister.

"Please keep up the good work and continue to provide efficient service. I wish you all the best and thank you for your support and co-operation," he said.

Abdullah also apologised to the staff for any wrong-doing and thanked the staff of Seri Perdana for assisting his wife make the place a comfortable and nice home.

As the guests were eating, Abdullah and Jeanne went to each table to shake hands and also obliged requests for photo-graphs.

There were moments when it was Abdullah who was the one who called his staff to go over to him to have their photographs taken with him and his wife.

As he stopped by at the media table, Abdullah asked if they sampled the vegetarian popiah where all the ingredients, he proudly declared, came from the Seri Perdana garden.

"You must try, it's really delicious and healthy," he said.

As Abdullah bade farewell to the guests before leaving for another function at the Defence Ministry, the staff stood and gave the couple a hearty round of applause.