SEBERANG PERAI, April 14 — The post of Penang chief minister is held by a non-Malay because a majority of the state population is non-Malay, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said in Kelantan, a majority of the population is Malay; therefore, the menteri besar is Malay.

"Some people have said it is time that the chief ministership in Penang is held by a Malay.

"But I must remind them that regardless of the ethnicity of the chief minister, don’t forget that the prime minister is Malay and the Agong is Malay,” he said in his speech during a meeting with civil servants at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Permatang Pauh here.

He said the main issue is to focus on clean governance free from corrupt practices.

Later, when asked to elaborate during a press conference, he said his main point is that the state government and its chief minister must have the ability to deliver.

"My point is not whether they are Chinese, Malay or Indian. The issue here is governance and the ability to deliver,” he said.

He reiterated that the prime minister is Malay, the deputy prime minister is Malay and the finance minister is Malay.

"I am a prime minister for all, not only for one race,” he said.