KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Lim Guan Eng did not foresee the generosity of public donations for the government’s Tabung Harapan Malaysia, but believes the sight of designer handbags and cash seized in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) investigations has a lot to do with it.

As of yesterday, Malaysians have donated RM18.6 million to the fund set up two days earlier for the public to help the government reduce the country’s debt burden.

“I did not expect it. But it shows love for the country, and also the anger that Malaysians were deceived and misled by all these financial scandals,” he told Malay Mail in an interview at his office in Putrajaya.

The final count of cash contained in 35 bags seized from three units at the Pavilion Residences linked to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was a whopping RM114 million in 26 different currencies.

Another half million ringgit in cash was also confiscated from Najib’s Langgak Duta mansion in Jalan Duta, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Commissioner Datuk Seri Amar Singh confirmed last week.

With the cash all counted, police are now expected to meet experts to determine the value of gold bars, watches and jewellery contained in another 37 bags also seized from the Pavilion units.

Amar said it took police three days to count all the cash, from May 21 to 23, following the seizure on May 18, in which they took the 72 bags along with 284 designer handbags.

Lim, the finance minister, told Malay Mail that “nobody can forget the images” of luggage and bags filled with cash and designer bags seized by police.

“Hermès. How do you pronounce it?” he said in reference to the brand of some of the bags seized.

“Two hundred and eighty four (designer bags). I think one is already enough. It’s mind boggling.”

He also pointed out that Malaysia has spent RM31 billion servicing the debts left behind the Najib administration.

Lim argued that while it was financially irresponsible to leave the country with the debt mountain it now finds itself under, it would have been somewhat acceptable if the money had been spent on programmes which benefited the public.

“But their intentions are not noble.

“How the hell do you use the money not for the people but for these financial scandals and to enrich themselves?”

Asked about Najib’s regular statements and criticisms against the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, Lim said the former may have forgotten he is no longer the Opposition leader.

“He is still the ex-PM. He was for two days Opposition leader. But not anymore.”

https://www.malaymail.com/s/1637695/minister-images-of-hermes-bags-and-cash-fed-anger-backing-for-tabung-harapa