ANKARA

Malaysians have collected nearly $19 million for its “Hope Fund” to pay off its debts, the Economy Ministry said on Monday.

In a statement, the ministry said that a total of $18.7 million have been raised from the public for the fund.

The fund, launched on May 30, collected $1.76 million on its first day.

Malaysia is in debt of $252 billion from the former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s term.

On May 9, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad led an opposition alliance to a surprise victory in the parliamentary elections and called for reconstructing of the country after his election.

Reporting by Adem Salvarioglu:Writing by Handan Kazanci