Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's former official residence in Kuala Lumpur will be preserved to show the "simple life" he led and the small bedroom he slept in despite heading the government for 22 years, the official Bernama news agency reported today.

Work on the old Seri Perdana was almost complete and it would be opened before his retirement in October, said National Archives director Habibah Zon.

"This gallery will show how the prime minister lived there and what he was doing besides his usual official duties," she said.

Visitors would be able to see a video of "A day in the life of the Prime Minister".

"This will show the simple life he leads despite being the prime minister. Many people will think he had a big bedroom there but they will be surprised when they see the actual place," she added.

Carpentry and gardening

Many features of the residence where Mahathir stayed for almost 16 years before he moved to the new administrative capital of Putrajaya in 1998 had been retained, including his bedroom, study, kitchen and dining hall.

Even the chair where Mahathir, 77, had his hair cut would be kept in the same place, she said.

"We also know Dr Mahathir's passion for carpentry. We have retained the place where he used to do his carpentry works. He also likes gardening and remembers very well every plant, including the ones he planted," she added.

Mahathir has assumed almost mythical standing during his two decades in power, and many in this Southeast Asian nation of 23 million people are still trying to come to grips with the fact that he intends to stand down in October in favour of his Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. -- AFP