KUALA LUMPUR: The government has denied claims that it had incurred new debts totaling RM22 billion, as alleged by the opposition.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah said that the government is currently taking on the previous debt racked up by the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration.
“Regarding (allegations of ) a new RM22 billion debt, I need to be given time because as far as I know, there is no new debt incurred (by the government).
“I am only looking at the (debt) figures left to us and now the government is looking for the best way to resolve the matter,” he said.
He was answering a supplementary question from Datuk Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) at the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.
Ahmad had asked the deputy minister for more details on Tabung Harapan and on the veracity of reports which claimed that the government has since incurred a debt of RM22 billion.
Maslan’s additional question was raised after Amiruddin had replied to a question from Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang) on how much Tabung Harapan has collected so far, among others.
Amiruddin said the establishment of Tabung Harapan was inspired by the people, who wanted to help the government and not meant to burden the people.
“For your information Yang Berhormat (Ahmad), a person came to the Prime Minister’s Office and donated two RM50 notes to help pay off the government’s debt.
“After that, many more people came to donate. As a result, the Cabinet agreed to set it up (Tabung Harapan) in line with the Financial Procedure Act 1957,” said Amiruddin.
Replying to an additional question from Fong on how long Tabung Harapan would be kept open to accept donations, Amiruddin said that the government has yet to determine the deadline.
“I believe that many more people wish to donate to the fund, not just from locals but also those from abroad.
“We have received around RM10 million in donations from abroad,” he said.