A group of Penang businesspersons handed over a total of RM2.5 million to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today in aid of Tabung Harapan Malaysia, the government's fund to settle the national debt.

The group comprised developers and manufacturing firms, namely Ideal Property's Alex Ooi Kee Liang (RM1 million), Aspen Group's M Murly and Nazir Ariff (RM1 million), Lumson Bina Engineering's Wong See Hong (RM200,000) and Unimech Group Berhad's Lim Cheah Chooi (RM300,000).

Chow thanked the group in a press conference at Komtar today.

He noted that since the fund was set up on May 30, the donation figures for Tabung Harapan had hit RM56,662,086.58 as of 3pm yesterday.

"Although the donations may not be able to settle the national debts and liability which stands at RM1 trillion, but the spirit of wanting to save Malaysia has brought all of us together," said Chow.

Murly, the president and group CEO of Aspen, chipped in by saying, "This is a meaningful gesture and we hope with this donation drive, all Malaysians will unite for a better and greater Malaysia".

"We hope with this little gesture, we can help the government to make Malaysia great again," Murly added.

"We believe the market outlook will remain positive and Malaysia's economy will enjoy strong rebound with the strategic moves by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"The market will thrive again if the government continue to announce business-friendly policies that can further strengthen the market's confidence," Murly stressed.