The growing national debt figure was a result of Putrajaya's transparency and commitment to reveal the true extent of Malaysia's debt, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng (photo, above).

Responding to a question on the RM58 billion in bonds issued by the government so far this year, Lim said this was necessary to meet commitments made by the previous administration.

"Any increase in debt is due to existing commitments and expenditure. I know there is a lot of expenditure from the previous government...