Dr M: Tabung Harapan may stop collecting donations soon
KUALA LUMPUR: Tabung Harapan Malaysia may cease accepting donations next month, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“We have yet to decide on the date, but maybe by next month,” he said when asked about the fund.
Speaking after attending a roundtable discussion with Asean Business Leaders here yesterday, Dr Mahathir denied the move to stop the collection was because some companies were using it as a lobbying mechanism.
“It could be, but we are not affected.
“There was one big donation from a company with problems and we refused to accept it,” he said.
“It is actually a way of knowing how people love the country. They are willing to sacrifice to resolve our money problems.
“I think it is clear that people are willing to help save the country.”
The fund was established by Pakatan Harapan on May 30 to enable Malaysians to donate towards reducing the RM1.087 trillion national debt.
To date, the fund has received more than RM180 million.
On the Johor government’s plan to construct a third link between Malaysia and Singapore to reduce traffic congestion on the Johor-Singapore Causeway, Dr Mahathir said: “There are plans.”
Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said the third link, once completed, would connect Pengerang in east Johor to Pulau Ubin in Singapore.