It was an emotional send-off for Lim Guan Eng as thousands turned up at Padang Kota Lama, to see him for the last time before he goes to Putrajaya to assume the post of finance minister.

Tonight is reminiscent of the days before the 14th national polls concluded on May 9, where large crowds dominated the ceramah scene in the Pakatan Harapan camp.

On the field today, the crowd waved the PKR and Rocket flags, and flashed their mobile phone torch lights, shouting slogans of "Reformasi" and "Save Malaysia".

Guan Eng arrived about 9.15pm, as his fans reached out to greet him, shaking hands with him, while some hugged him.

When the event concluded at 11pm, he left the stage but was mobbed by his fans like a rock star as they rushed to take selfies with him, chanting "Lim Guan Eng, Lim Guan Eng".

During his speech, he said: "I will never forget Penang. Although Penang is far from Putrajaya, Penang is in my heart".

"Please pray that we are successful in Putrajaya because when we are successful there, it is Penangites and Malaysians who are successful," he said. 

"Goodbye everyone and thank you," said the former Penang chief minister as the crowd cheered for him.

The DAP secretary-general said he would never forget the people who in GE14 gave unanimous support to Harapan, leading to Harapan's victory in Penang and Putrajaya.

"We maintained our popular votes at 68 percent but our seats have gone up from 30 to 37. We thank Penangites because we have not only gained 11 out of 13 parliamentary seats but captured Putrajaya as well," he said.

He then led the crowd to sing the coalition's battle song, "Rakyat bersatu, tolak GST".

As Harapan was successful, united and victorious, its leaders will now implement what they have set out to do in their election manifesto, Guan Eng vowed.

But as finance minister-designate, he is unable to issue a statement until he is sworn in.

However, he had carried out many negotiations with senior government officers since Saturday, when Prime Minister Dr Mahatir Mohamad named him as the person for the post.

"As Bagan MP and Air Putih assemblyperson, I promise I will fight every day for the Malaysian people.

"Many feel proud because a Penangite has clinched a post in the federal government," he said.

Guan Eng said he had to relocate to Putrajaya but it is not because he does not love Penangites.

"I do love you all but I love Malaysians more, and that is why I took over the job there as the finance minister," he said.

"This is because we have proven that we have done better than BN. This is where we first began, we proved not only BN can rule but opposition as well, where everyone can cari makan... in Penang.

"But if we depend on Penang alone it is not enough, we have to have a safe Malaysia too. That is why Malaysia had to be saved from BN."

New CM expresses gratitude

During the three-hour ceramah, newly-minted Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow expressed gratitude to Penangites for giving the mandate to Harapan for the third time.

He said his journey begun on 1986 as DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang's aide, where he started to work for Penang and Malaysia.

He expressed his sincere gratitude to DAP for entrusting him with this new duties and responsibilities.

"Thanks to Guan Eng for his leadership in this 10 years where we have proven we can become a government that is better than the previous BN.

"Thanks to Guan Eng for laying a foundation for me and all state executive councillors to continue the journey to govern Penang," he added.

Chow said finally Penangites must appreciate that after 10 years, several colleagues had lamented that the state government did not get enough funds from Putrajaya to implement its projects for the people.

"But you have changed everything
on May 9, now we can get federal support, as our Guan Eng is going to become the finance minister," he added, to loud applause from the crowd.

"Please hear the voices of Penangites,
hope you continue to give us your support."