Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said his portfolio encompassed more than just mere bookkeeping as alleged by MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong.
"If you want to say I am a bookkeeper because I am in charge of the accountant-general, it is okay.
"But I'm also in charge of the customs. I'm also a 'customs keeper'. I'm also in charge of LHDN (inland revenue board), I'm also a taxman. I'm also in charge of other agencies...
"I play many roles,” the DAP secretary-general told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.
Last week, Wee (BN - Ayer Hitam) told the Dewan Rakyat that the finance minister's powers have been diluted.
He said the Economic Affairs Ministry, headed by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, possessed greater influence.
"Public perception is that the finance minister's powers have been reduced to that of a bookkeeper, given that the agencies previously under the Finance Ministry have been transferred to Azmin's Economic Affairs Ministry, which has more power,” he added.
It was reported that several entities including Petronas, Khazanah Nasional and Permodalan Nasional Berhad, which were previously under the Treasury, have been transferred to the Economic Affairs Ministry.
Lim accused the MCA leader of only focussing on one aspect related to his ministry.
"He is entitled to his own opinions. Whatever you say, at least I am in charge of the Finance Ministry, he wasn't even in charge (of the ministry)," he said.
"This is the version raised by the MCA (lawmaker). I am not going to comment. Certainly, I am not going to agree with MCA," he said.
A day earlier, the spotlight fell on Lim's position again when Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad answered a question on behalf of the Finance Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat.
Quizzed on this, the DAP leader said: "The prime minister is the most powerful (individual in the executive branch). Of course, he has the right (to answer a question on my behalf).” - Mkini
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