GEORGE TOWN: Lim Hui Ying takes all the criticisms hurled against her following her appointment as Deputy Finance Minister in her stride.
Lim said her critics were free to do so, and she accepted it with an open heart.
She said she came under the spotlight since her appointment as a senator under the Penang government in 2018.
She said it continued when she was named a candidate in the 15th general election to contest the Tanjung parliamentary seat and was appointed deputy education minister after that.
"Now, following my appointment as the Deputy Finance Minister, I have come under the spotlight again. This happens wherever I go, but I accept it with an open heart.
"I know I am not perfect. I have my weaknesses and my strengths. I can only promise to work hard and do the best for Malaysia and all Malaysians.
"And I also vow to look after the people of Penang," she told newsmen when met at a walkabout at the Chowrasta Market here this morning.
Netizens have taken to social media to question Lim's appointment as the Deputy Finance Minister.
They also linked her appointment to her father, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang and her brother, DAP national chairman and former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Although she felt "brokenhearted," Lim said she decided to put all that behind her.
"I will be strong and patient.
"I also have many people who support me, and I thank them for that," she added, paying tribute to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state DAP chairman and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, and party national chairman for their continuous support.
In a recent cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim named Lim the Deputy Finance Minister.
She was moved from the deputy education minister portfolio in Anwar's cabinet to that of Deputy Finance Minister.
The Deputy Finance Minister portfolio was her second portfolio since 2022.