We rejected RM100 million donation for Tabung Harapan, says Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad revealed today that his administration rejected a RM100 million donation to the Tabung Harapan fund as it felt the donor was trying to influence the government.

However, he declined to give further details on the company.

“We were offered RM100 million. We felt this was problematic as they were trying to influence the government, so we rejected it,” he told reporters after opening the Anti-Corruption Summit 2018 here.

He said this was the only donation of such a massive amount, adding however that smaller sums had also been rejected.

In his opening speech at the summit, he said his government had been faced with the “tough job” of eradicating corruption and running the country at the same time.

“For that, the government needs money,” he said, noting that members of the public had wanted to chip in as well.

“However, there have been attempts to use donations in order to influence government business.

“These have been rejected by the government because when huge sums of money are given by way of donations to the fund, they become a source of corruption.”

MORE TO COME

-FMT