Youtube grab of Lim at the event
Picture Credit: Youtube grab of Lim at the event
We can beat Singapore at its own game says Malaysian Finance Minister
Malaysia's Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said it was time to beat Singapore at its own game, citing the state of Penang as having beaten Singapore many times.
“We must have the can-do spirit. For example, why must we lose to Singapore every time? Beat them at their own game, you can do it.
"Penang has beaten them many times,” he told a group of entrepreneurs here at the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre’s (MaGIC) Global Accelerator Programme (GAP).
But he said he is not being anti-Singapore, noting that the Singaporeans are really good at marketing.
"They have laid bold claims (saying they were) the originator of several delicacies that were common to both Singapore and Malaysia.
“I’m not being anti-Singapore here but I’m just trying to motivate you that you can do it! After all, if you look at Singapore, they use many of our people (talents),” Lim said.
Lim, who led the state of Penang since 2008 as Chief Minister, is credited for the success of the second-smallest state in Malaysia.
“Chicken rice is theirs?... if you’re not careful fried kuay teow will also be theirs (someday),” Lim said to laughter from the audience.
“But you know the best food is in Penang: the Nasi Kandar etc. So make sure that we can show them our best and it is Malaysia. Malaysia can also be identified with quality,” he added.
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Lim had said the state recorded a 150% increase in total proposed capital investment last year at RM10.8 billion, compared with RM4.29 billion in 2016.
He said the achievement shows that Penang, despite being the second-smallest state in Malaysia, is punching above its weight.