KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Contributions to the "Tabung Harapan Malaysia (Malaysian Hope Fund)” may be used to offset income tax obligations, according to a federal lawmaker today.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng made the claim in a post on Facebook.

"ALL donations towards Tabung Harapan Malaysia are TAX-EXEMPTED. The government appreciates your patriotic support. Thank you very much, Malaysia!” Lim wrote.

Lim did not state the source of this information, but he is from the same party as Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

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.

Guan Eng later said all contributions would be systematically and transparently managed by the ministry through the trust fund.

The finance minister is also expected to clarify the tax implications of such donations today.