Some 3,000 people joined a fundraising dinner attended by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Shah Alam today, contributing RM3,479,100 to Tabung Harapan.
They welcomed the premier’s arrival with a riotous applause, and many also crowded around him despite the emcees’ pleas to make for the VIP guests to enter.
Many in the crowd were also seen raising their phones high in hopes of capturing the moment through their camera, much to the dismay of the press photographers standing on a stage behind them who had their view of Mahathir blocked.
In his speech later, the premier said although the amount of donation is small compared to the nation’s RM1 trillion debt and liabilities, the gesture is nevertheless an important one.
“What is important is our spirit, our dedication, and our willingness to sacrifice because we love our country.
“For this country, we must be prepared to sacrifice. We are not asking you to fight and die for the country, but your sacrifice is as good as fighting to defend the freedom of this country.
“This is our country. This is our home. We were born here, we grew up here, we become businesspeople and citizens of this country, and for that reason, we love this country.
“It is quite clear with so many attendances from the people of Selangor, that many who are citizens of this country, love this country, and are prepared to make sacrifices in order to rehabilitate this country of ours,” he said.
The event was organised by the Coalition of 18 Klang Associations – a group that comprises predominately Klang-based Chinese guilds.
There were about 300 tables at the event. According to the organisers, the RM3,479,100 came from 257 individuals and businesses.
Top donors of the event also had a photo opportunity on stage with the prime minister.
Mahathir said although the coalition took their own initiative to organise the fundraising dinner, he was confident that there will be many more such events because there are still Malaysians willing to make the sacrifice.
For the night's entertainment, the guests were feted with song and dance.
Singer Siti Nur Masyitah, who also goes by her stage name Masya, sang in Chinese and English, including classics by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng.
Meanwhile, 13-year old singer Yoyo Chew belted out songs in Malay.
Siti’s ability to sing in Mandarin appeared to have captivated the audience, several of whom were seen posing for pictures with her after the performance.
The Tabung Harapan is a fund set up by the government to receive public contributions from those who want to relieve the government's debt burden.
As of 3pm on July 30, the fund had reached RM155,999,126.02. - Mkini
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