SEBERANG JAYA: Keeping to his word to quit politics for good if Lim Guan Eng is out of Penang after the 14th general election, Datuk Huan Cheng Guan announced his resignation as Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) deputy president.
Huan had been highly critical of the two-term chief minister’s administration in the last 10 years, leading several protests again him as Lim as lodging numerous reports against him with the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Bagan, irrespective of whether they voted for me or not (in the polls). I had said at the just-concluded polls that if any elected representatives succeeded Lim as the chief minister of Penang, I would quit active politics.
“Since Chow Kon Yeow was sworn in as the chief minister, I will keep my promise and resign as PCM deputy president,” he told newsmen, adding that he would play an advisory role for his party.
In the just-concluded polls, Huan failed in his bid to wrest the Bagan parliamentary seat from Lim in a four-cornered fight. The other two candidates were MCA’s Datuk Michael Lee Beng Seng and Malaysian United Party’s Koay Xing Boon.
The recent election also saw Pakatan Harapan take over the Federal government and several states, with Lim, who is DAP secretary-general, being named by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Finance Minister-designate.
Earlier today, Chow, who is state DAP chairman, was sworn in as the state’s fifth chief minister, succeeding Lim.
Huan said he had known Chow since 2004 when the latter was the member of parliament for Tanjong, and he, Batu Kawan.
“He is a humble and nice person, and most importantly, can be trusted. And, since he is the chief minister now, I have confidence (that he will) bring Penang to greater heights in the future,” he added.
As for Huan himself, he said it was time for him to take a deserving break after fighting for the people of Penang for the last decade.
“I have been very consistent and I did not stop like other political parties,” he said.
Huan also urged the Penang government to abolish the Penang Bridge toll and the Sungai Nyior toll, as promised in its manifesto.
Meanwhile, Huan also urged the PH federal government to make good the numerous promises made during the election such as abolishing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), doing away with the Automated Enforcement System (AES) camera, abolishing the Anti-Fake News Act 2018 as well as to ensure freedom of the press.