INTERVIEW | Tabung Harapan alone will not be able to pare down the national debt, which is a long-term effort said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Instead, Putrajaya intended Tabung Harapan as an exercise in altruism and patriotism.

"Regardless of whether it is RM1 million or RM1; RM10 million or RM10; We all contribute to fulfill our obligations as Malaysian citizens.

"People are doing this regardless of race, religion and back ground. They are showing their love for the nation.

"This is what we call the spirit of sharing bliss and misfortune together. I believe such patriotic spirit can help us to become more united," Lim told Malaysiakini in an interview.