Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has achieved almost mythical status among his admirers in Malaysia and tributes have been pouring in as he prepares to step down on Friday.

A generation has known no other leader, and even those old enough to remember the previous prime minister have had their lives shaped dramatically by Mahathir's 22 years in power.

Hundreds of messages have appeared in local newspapers in recent weeks, hailing the 77-year-old premier as a hero for overseeing Malaysia's rapid economic development and giving this small nation of 23 million people a voice in the world.

Mahathir is renowned for his outspoken and often controversial opinions on everything from minor domestic issues to global politics, the need for technological development and the true meaning of Islam.

A 10-volume encyclopedia of his ideas has also been launched in Arabic and English.

Abdullah, who takes over from Mahathir on Friday, said: "His legacy will be seen in his ever-flowing cornucopia of ideas, thoughts and opinions on a wide range of issues and topics.

"Laymen and intellectuals will find pearls of wisdom in his ideas and thoughts. Malaysians and Muslims will benefit enormously from reading and re-reading his speeches."

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