Me, a backbencher? No problem

After five years being the most powerful man in the country, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will return to Parliament in two months as a backbencher.

And it looks like he will remain there as Kepala Batas parliamentarian for at least another few more years until the next general election.

“It’s okay, I was a backbencher before,” said Abdullah, flashing a smile.

The Parliament is currently in recess and will resume its sittings in June.

Speaking to journalists after officiating the centenary celebration of the Scouts Association of Malaysia in Stadium Merdeka today, Abdullah said he had no problem coming back as a backbencher in the august House.

Abdullah appeared to have accepted his fate which saw his term as prime minister abruptly cut short.

He was pressured to step down as PM and Umno president three weeks ago after the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition suffered a major setback in last year’s general election.

“You should know where you must be,” he said.

“It is when you refuse that kind of changes you begin to talk and do things that are not correct or nor proper. That’s when you create problems,” said Abdullah.

However, he stressed that a backbencher has no less responsibility than a parliamentarian who is entrusted with a cabinet position.

Earlier in officiating the scouts event, Abdullah was flanked by two of his former ministers - new Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

In his keynote speech as the association’s honorary president, Abdullah made a slip of the tongue when he referred Ahmad Shabery as the information minister.

He declines to answer questions on politics

Abdullah, who was clad in a white scout uniform, appeared more at ease when journalists called him by his ‘Pak Lah’ nickname rather than his new honorary title ‘Tun’.

The former premier however pointedly refused to answer questions on the new administration.

When asked about whether BN should contest the Penanti by-election after the seat fell vacant following the resignation of PKR assemblyperson Mohd Fairus Khairuddin, he demured.

“Personal opinions? No need. It does not mean anything now,” said Abdullah, stressing that any decision made by the top leadership should be respected by party members.

“Whatever Najib has decided, the party should support it,” he said.

However, Abdullah who remains Kepala Batas Umno division chief, lauded Najib’s appointment of party vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the state chief of his home state.

“That is why I resigned as the state liaison chief before I retired (to make way for others). I’m happy (with the appointment) as he is a good leader and capable in strengthening Umno in Penang,” he said.

After being assailed with a barrage of political questions, Abdullah took a shot at the journalists.

“Don’t you want to ask me any questions regarding the scouts? You guys are so bad,” he quipped.