Unbelievable!

This was Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang's reaction to the Pakatan Harapan government's announcement of an RM40 million ceiling to purchase the rights for the live telecast of 2018 World Cup on the state-owned RTM.

Taking to Twitter, he said this was perhaps the reason the government needed to set up a fund for Malaysians to contribute to settling the national debt.

“Harapan government today asked the rakyat to donate to a fund to help the government.

“Today, the government also announced it would use up to RM40 million to pay for live RTM World Cup matches. Time for Malaysians to rethink.

“I wish to ask if the fund is related to the World Cup live matches on RTM? I thought the government wanted to save money?” he added.

Read more: Putrajaya allocates RM40m for rights to air World Cup matches on RTM

Earlier, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo announced that RTM would air 41 of 64 matches of the 2018 World Cup, of which 27 matches would be shown live.

He said the cabinet, which met this morning, had placed an RM40 million ceiling to buy the rights to air the matches.

The minister also revealed that sponsors would absorb a substantial portion of the cost.

This afternoon, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that the government would set up a fund for Malaysians to contribute towards settling the nation's debt.

"There are many who want to donate to the government after finding out that the country is in a bad position. We welcome their patriotism and thank them for it.

"We will ensure the donations reach the responsible quarters in the government, which will be passed on through the Finance Ministry," he had said.