KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has a stable political climate because Pakatan Harapan is a government that keeps its promises, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“I would like to emphasise here that Malaysia has a stable political environment. We have a stable government and we have a prime minister who is certain about the political future of the country.

“He (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) has said that many times and I want to repeat what he said - that this government will keep our promises,” said Lim.

He said this during his keynote address at the National Tax Conference 2019 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Monday (Aug 5).

Lim also said that the government is currently focused on implementing institutional reforms that should be completed by 2021.

As the Finance Minister, Lim said he is leading various initiatives on fiscal reforms,including the migration from cash-based accounting towards accrual basis.

He added that other initiatives include the wider implementation of an open tender system to increase competency, accountability and transparency (CAT) in the public sector.

“These measures are also designed to restore public trust in the government that for so long has suffered from severe trust deficit after years of abuse,” he added.

Met by reporters after his speech, Lim refused to answer whether Dr Mahathir should serve full term as prime minister.

“I’ve said in my speech that in terms of economy,we are confident that our targets will be achieved.

“I want to repeat once more that the political situation in Malaysia is stable.

“There should not be political uncertainty because we are a government that keeps its promises,” he added.

A consensus exists between the four Pakatan parties - PKR, DAP, Parti Amanah Negara,Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia - that Dr Mahathir would hand over the reins to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after holding office for two years.

However, there have been calls by Opposition leaders and even PKR leaders, such as Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and Zuraida Kamaruddin, that Dr Mahathir should serve full term as prime minister.