Politics

Guan Eng: Tun M threatened to sack me as finance minister

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng revealed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had threatened to sack him as finance minister for pursuing three "reform" initiatives during Pakatan Harapan's maiden federal administration from 2018 to 2020.

In a Facebook posting, Lim said his efforts grant RM3.8 million annual allocation to each government member of parliament, reviewing contracts awarded without tender and reduction in PLUS toll fares drew the ire of Dr Mahathir, who was the then prime minister.

"First, Dr Mahathir objected to the granting of annual allocation of RM3.8 million to government MPs.

"Second, he objected to the review of government contracts granted by direct award and without open tender. Dr Mahathir did not agree to the open tender proposal to promote transparency and public accountability.

"Third, Dr Mahathir objected to the 18 per cent reduction of the PLUS toll highway (fares) as the first step towards the eventual abolition of toll."

Lim said he managed to secure the cabinet's approval through an overall support from most ministers, for each of the initiative.

"I managed to secure Cabinet approval from almost every minister, for all three initiatives earning the ire of the prime minister.

"On each of the three occasions that Dr Mahathir was overruled by cabinet, he threatened to sack me for defying him on these 3 initiatives.

"I was prepared to be axed but continued to pursue these reform initiatives that benefitted the people. Dr Mahathir did not carry out his threat. Instead, he resigned on his own accord in February 2020."

Lim was responding to Dr Mahathir's statement in which he claimed DAP could not control him when he was the prime minister and Lim had to ask for his permission before pursuing any plans.

"As a matter of record, let me state the facts. Cabinet ministers should definitely inform the prime minister of any proposed reform initiatives.

"This is not only required by custom but also out of respect to the position of the prime minister. However, in the event the prime minister does not agree (with the proposed initiatives), the only alternative left for the minister is to appeal to the cabinet for approval.

"This was done by me three times during my tenure as finance minister in securing Cabinet approval over and above the strident objections of then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad." he said.

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