KUALA LUMPUR — Appointing an ethnic Chinese as Finance Minister – "one of the most senior, most important" ministries – shows just how serious the new Malaysian government is about turning the page on race-based politics, newly-minted Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail told TODAY.

She is, however, realistic about the tough task ahead. "We do want to change, (but) because the majority are Malays, that probably has to be addressed," said the 65-year-old, who is also the Women and Family Development Minister.

"I admit it would be hard because bumiputeras are the majority, and the majority of the poor are bumiputeras, or the Malays especially, so there must be that political will to address that fact."

Race-based politics and policies are an entrenched part of the Malaysian landscape, but the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, which took power after the May 9 general election, says it aims to move towards meritocracy.

The appointment of Mr Lim, a former banker and chartered accountant, is proof of PH's intent, Dr Wan Azizah said. The appointment of the former Penang Chief Minister marked the first time in 44 years that a non-Malay has occupied the position of Finance Minister. The last ethnic Chinese to hold the office was Mr Tan Siew Sin, who stepped down in 1974.

"To have a Chinese finance minister is actually a very good way forward – this integration of all the races," said Dr Wan Azizah. "So, it's not just tokenism. I do not accept that."

While many Malaysians billed the election result as a decisive break from race-based politics - many Malays turned their backs on the heretofore dominant United Malays National Organisation (Umno), which positioned itself as the defender of their rights - Dr Wan Azizah and others are aware that race remains a tricky subject.

Opposition leaders such as Mr Anwar Ibrahim, in fact, have sought to give assurances in recent weeks that the dominant position of Malays in the country will be upheld.

That amounts to a turnaround of sorts for Mr Anwar, who called for affirmative action for bumis - sons of the soil - to be abolished when he led the Reformasi movement. He now says that he will respect the privileges accorded to the Malays as set out in the country's constitution.

Dr Wan Azizah says she is aware that moving away from race will be a long haul effort. "Racial politics has been played up ever since Umno, which wants to uphold 'ketuanan Melayu' (Malay supremacy), came to power," she said.

"But slowly, the country has to move towards 'ketuanan rakyat' (citizen supremacy)," she said, adding that "we want to move on to meritocracy…this is the most important (thing)...and that every Malaysian feels that this is our home and our nation, and we want to build it together."