KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) urged Christians today to participate generously in the government’s donation drive to ostensibly pay down the country’s debts.

CCM general secretary Hermen Shastri said the crowdfunding effort was consistent with the Christian community’s wishes for the country.

"In view of the recent announcement of our prime minister on the formation of a public crowdfunding effort for Malaysians to donate and help the nation’s economy, CCM is issuing this special appeal to our member congregations to play their part in this extraordinary effort,” he said.

"In line with our prayers of blessing for the nation and the aspiration of the new government, we hope that each congregation will take a special offering and send it to CCM.”

He urged Christians to give generously and said the funds would be pooled before they were handed over to the government "accompanied with our prayers for the well-being of the nation.”

Donors should make cheques out to "Council of Churches of Malaysia” and state that the donation is intended for the "Malaysian Hope Fund” on the reverse side.

They may also deposit the donations directly to the CCM’s Malayan Banking account (A/C514169-656889), with the same reference.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the crowdfund was formed in response to Malaysians’ concern over the economic mismanagement by the former Barisan Nasional government, thanking them for their "patriotic move” to donate to the government.

Malaysians have collectively donated RM7 million to the fund as at 3pm today.