Lim Guan Eng Does Not Want To Be Finance Minister If He Was Picked Because He Is Chinese
He said he was chosen for the Finance Minister post because of his abilities.
By Jia Vern Tham — 28 May 2018, 01:27 PM
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said he does not want to hold onto his post if he was only chosen for his ethnicity yesterday, 27 May
Guan Eng was speaking at an Air Putih DAP thanksgiving event yesterday, 27 May.
Image via Penang Buletin/YouTube"I don't want to be Finance Minister if I'm chosen just because I'm Chinese," the former Penang chief minister was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.
"I'm Malaysian, I'm not Chinese. You must choose me on the basis of my capability that I can deliver," he added.
According to Guan Eng, Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad had picked him for the job because of his ability
"This is a tough job (Finance Minister), but as Mahathir said before, he chose me because of my ability," he was quoted as saying by China Press.
"I have successfully turned around Penang's financial situation, and managed to record a fiscal surplus every year," he added.
Guan Eng was also reported as saying that Mahathir chose "the best" to save Malaysia, after observing the Penang state government's good financial performance.
He also thanked Penangites for helping Pakatan Harapan to win in the 14th General Election
"This gives me great hope because the people of Penang had shown that they want a new Malaysia," he said.
"This is a very heavy responsibility. We will fight for you, and make sure that we give your children a better country," the Bagan Member of Parliament added.
According to China Press, Mahathir previously stressed that he did not pick Guan Eng for the Finance Minister post for any biased reasons
Mahathir was reported as saying that the Finance Minister does not have to be ethnically Malay.
"I need someone with a background in Finance and a good record (for the post), that's why I chose Lim Guan Eng," he was quoted as saying by China Press.