The mysterious 1 Malaysia NGO, which had distributed goodies to locals in the last two by-elections, was once again spotted campaigning in  the Merlimau by election with the help of some local MCA members.

However, Jasin MCA chief Koh Chin Han said the party has no connection with the NGO. However, those involved could be doing so in their personal capacities.

"They have multiple positions they could be a MCA branch chief while being the head of a local Chinese organisation and temple.

NONE"MCA is never involved and will not interfere in the 1Malaysia NGO's activies," he stressed, while speaking to Malaysiakini.

He was rebutting an allegation by some local voters and opposition leaders that the 1Malaysia NGO had organised local Chinese and Indian residents through MCA grassroots and even paid RM100 per person to attract thousands to join the meeting with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on Feb 19 (topmost photo).

The mysterious NGO led by an unknown by the name of Aloysius Lim, had also organised a series of dinners and programmes, offering a host of prizes like brand new motorcycles and flat-screen television sets through lucky draws.

"This is not a bribe"

According to DAP Bandar Hilir state assemblyperson Teh Kok Kiew, the action can be regarded as a bribery, but he conceded that it was very difficult to curb as it was done through an NGO.

MCA's Koh, however, rose to the 1Malaysia NGO's defence, saying that it is not wrong to campaign for the BN if they like the prime minister's concept.

azlan"After 1Malaysia NGO came here, the life of Merlimau people has become more interesting and this is not a form of bribery."

He also said that Pakatan would not reject it if they could also get a similar NGO with strong financial power to help in the campaigning.

"This is not about MCA, but is to help the BN to win Chinese votes."

The 1Malaysia NGO is now viewed as a "secret weapon" by BN in wooing the largely indifferent or defiant Chinese voters, after the group scored big in its successful foray in last year's Galas by-election.

Local voters say that the 1Malaysia NGO had made its appearance in Merlimau as early as three weeks ago, organising a series of lunches and dinners for the residents, largely comprising Chinese and Indians, with plenty of prizes thrown in.

Local was paid RM100

NONEThe group is also believed to have played a vital role in moblising thousands of local people to welcome Najib when he visited Merlimau last week, which had received wide publicity in the mainstream newspapers including photos of the 1Malaysia hand symbol with the prime minister.

A senior citizen who only wanted to be known as Lim claimed that he received RM100 when he welcomed the prime minister.

He revealed that the money was paid through MCA grassroot leaders and if the 1Malaysia people managed to get 10 others to attend, then all of them would be given RM100 each.

"Najib was late that day. At the beginning, the organiser asked us to wait till 1pm, but they had made us to wait until 6.30pm," he said.

He also remembered that he had followed Najib in shouting out "I help you, you help me" that day. Najib has urged the local Chinese to vote for the BN and that he would return the favour by helping them.

Happy about the prizes

NONEMeanwhile, some local voters were elated by the free food and prizes hand out by the 1Malaysia NGO.

Tan Kia Wah, 67, (right) is one of them. He won a Honda EX5 motorcycle with "MCA" car plate in a dinner on Feb 20.

"These 1Malaysia NGO activities are not against the law and this is not a bribe," he said.

The former civil servant added that he will support the BN in the coming polls.

NONEAlso sharing Tan's view was another local Tan Wee Lai, another strong BN supporter. He, too, won a 42-inch flat screen television at the same dinner.

"We have (free) food and drinks, so why not?" he replied, when asked whether the dinner organised by 1Malaysia NGO was appropriate in political campaigns.