Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will steer clear of big budget construction projects and manage public finances with discipline to ensure future generations are not burdened by debt, a report said today.

Abdullah said he had been asked why he refused expenditure on government projects to bolster the construction sector, adding: "I am not adverse to spending. The Ninth Malaysia Plan proves that."

"But if my economic policy is only about tax and spending without any thought given to structural changes, what will I leave for future generations?

"I don't want to leave behind a debt burden or contingent liabilities. I don't want us to succeed today so that future generations have to pick up the tab," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times newspaper.

Malaysia last month unveiled a five-year development plan worth 54 billion dollars aimed at tackling poverty and spurring economic growth in its quest to become the first developed Muslim nation.

First Abdullah Plan

The 2006-2010 Ninth Malaysia Plan is the first since Abdullah came to power in 2003 and closes the door on an era of ambitious mega-projects under former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Malaysia's debt ratio is 50 percent of gross domestic product and economists have said this is "manageable".

Abdullah, who replaced Mahathir in October 2003, also said he had not set out to do what was popular, instead he wanted to achieve what was right for his country.

"Never mind that I may not build great monuments or glittering cities. What is important to me is that what we do today, what we change today, will enable us to succeed now and far into the future," he said.