More than RM100mil for Tabung Harapan in a month

PETALING JAYA: In less than a month since its launch, the Tabung Harapan Malaysia collection has surpassed the RM100mil mark.

A total of RM108,215,946.39 has been collected as of 3pm yesterday.

The total collection stood at about RM92mil on Sunday, indicating that there was a sharp jump of RM15mil in contributions in a span of a day.

Over the past weeks, Malaysian citizens and corporations alike have shown their generosity when donating to the fund, with some politicians dedicating a portion of their salaries to it.

Despite several posters bearing a fake account number initially making its round on social media, a total RM7mil in contribution was collected within 24 hours of its launch.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V had even taken a 10% cut in salary and emoluments in solidarity with those who have donated.

On May 30, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the setting up of the fund for Malaysians to contribute towards reducing the country’s debts.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had said that the country’s debt stood at RM1 trillion as of December 2017, higher than the figure announced by the previous administration.

Lim said that donations to Tabung Harapan would solely be utilised to settle government debts.

Contributions to the fund can be deposited into Maybank account number 566010626452.

Only donations in ringgit will be accepted, with donors eligible for tax deductions. Collections for the fund will cease on Aug 31.