Lau also expressed regret Sunday at being unable to spend more time with her daughter while serving in the government.

Lau, who recently set up a new think-tank, Savantas Institute, told Commercial Radio she would still leave the door open to politics although she had lost interest in rejoining the civil service.

Lau, who served as secretary for security from 1998 to 2003, said whether or not she would stand in the legislative elections in 2008 would depend on the circumstances then.

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"It would surely depend on my condition at that time. It's still too early to talk about the issue as I've yet to make up my mind. Of course, I would not rule out such a possibility for the time being," she said.

Asked if she would aim for a higher goal, such as the chief executive's post in 2012, Lau said she did not know whether she was qualified, or her health condition would allow her to do that.

Ip spent the last three years studying at Stanford University in the United States after her shock departure from the government in 2003 following a massive July 1 demonstration against the proposed anti-subversion law. She said those years of studies had broadened her vision and made her more positive-minded.

But she still sees Hong Kong as her home and that is why she hoped that, by establishing a think-tank, she could offer opinions on government policies, particularly in economics, technology and education.

On a more personal note, the former security chief said she deeply regretted her failure to take good care of her daughter, who is now aged 16, during her childhood.

"On some occasions, I was forced to take her to gatherings with top government officials at which [Chief Secretary for Administration] Rafael Hui was also present. But some officials told me that my daughter was relying too much on me."

Ip also said she made the right choice in sending her daughter to the US for studies in 2002.