PROFILE

The Honourable Mr. Lim Guan Eng, Minister of Finance, Malaysia

Mr. Lim Guan Eng is the Minister of Finance of Malaysia. He assumed the position on 21st May 2018 following the victory of the Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition in Malaysia’s 14th General Elections on 9th May 2018.

Born in December 1960, Mr. Lim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Accountacy from Monash University, Australia. He is married to Madam Betty Chew Gek Cheng, a former practising lawyer and former State assemblywoman in her own right. They have 4 children. He held a senior executive position in the banking industry prior to entering politics. Mr. Lim was elected as the Member of Parliament for Kota Melaka for three consecutive terms from 1986 until 1998.

Political Post

In 1990, he was appointed as the Socialist Youth Chairman of Democratic Action Party (DAP) and elected to the same position in 1992. He became the DAP’s Deputy Secretary-General in 1995 and was elected as the DAP’s Secretary General in 2004. Mr. Lim was re-elected as DAP’s Secretary General in 2008, and 2017, a position he holds until today.

After the 12th General Elections in March 2008, he assumed Penang State’s top leadership as its Chief Minister, and following another victory in the 13th General Elections in May 2013 he was sworn in for a second term.

Moving Penang forward

In his time as the 4th Chief Minister of Penang from March 2008- May 2018, Mr. Lim put clean leadership and good governance at the core of his administration. Based on the principle of Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT).

Penang has managed to reverse the gradual decline of the State and is now the leading state in Malaysia.

Under Mr. Lim’s leadership of not only doing things right but doing the right thing, Penang’s success stories grew across the board. From the economic perspective, the Penang State Government through strong emphasis on CAT, was able to achieve surpluses every year since 2008, reduced state debt by 95% and increased state assets by more than 100%. As the industrial state of Malaysia worth more than 95% in manufacturing and services, Penang recorded the highest FDI despite no assistance from the Federal Government.

Penang also became the No. 1 state in Malaysia in attracting investments and FDI in 2010 and 2011 as well as becoming the first state in Malaysian history to wipe out poverty in 2013. In its quest to be the first green state in Malaysia, the State Government is the first in Malaysia to launch green initiatives such as ‘no free plastic bags’ at supermarkets and banning of polystyrene boxes.

The Penang State Government is tremendously proud to have George Town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Against the setting of Penang’s rich historical tapestry, the State is now a focal point for creative energy and artistic talents. The State is fast becoming a dynamic cultural capital with progressive advances in art, heritage and music.

Penang may have derived its roots from colonial days but today, the State breathes modernity in every facet of life. A combination of sustainable development, vibrant cultural and arts landscape, valued heritage, clean environment and healthy lifestyle gives Penang a renewed vigour to be the city everyone wants to live in. Penang welcomes everyone and prepares to win the future by investing in people, especially in fixing up the fiscal position of RM1 trillion debt caused by 1MDB scandal and freeing Malaysia from corruption and Malaysia’s image as a global kleptocracy.

Moving to Putrajaya

Since assuming the position of the Minister of Finance of Malaysia in May 2018, Mr Lim has set about applying his vast experience in governance and economic management at the federal level in Putrajaya.