1M'sia NGO: We have also upset BN
The mysterious 1Malaysia NGO which dishes out goodies and sumptuous dinners during by-elections does not only irk the opposition, now even BN component parties are peeved because their campaigns are being overshadowed.
A reliable source told Malaysiakini that the activities organised by the NGO attracted better response from the voters compared with the BN's, ruffling the feathers of the MCA, MIC and Gerakan.
The mysterious 1Malaysia NGO which dishes out goodies and sumptuous dinners during by-elections does not only irk the opposition, now even BN component parties are peeved because their campaigns are being overshadowed.
A reliable source told Malaysiakini that the activities organised by the NGO attracted better response from the voters compared with the BN's, ruffling the feathers of the MCA, MIC and Gerakan.
The source close to the NGO blamed the media for highlighting it as a pro-BN organisation.
"We have stolen the limelight. But why is it that activities organised by MCA could not get a good response? he asked.
However, he reiterated that the 1Malaysia NGO is free from BN influence and is not funded by the ruling coalition.
"Think about it. If the 1Malaysia NGO is sent by BN, would MCA and MIC allow it to outshine them?," he asked.
On whether MCA grassroots leaders were helping the NGO to invite voters to its dinners, he dismissed it by saying that they, too, were voters.
Peace, scantily clad dancers with dinner
"Why are you viewing them as MCA members? They are also voters. It is just a coincidence that those I know are MCA members," he said.
He claimed that the guests at the dinners included MCA, Gerakan, MIC and DAP members, too.
"Do you know that there were also SB (special branch officers) at the dinners? If we were sent by the BN, why should they send the SB (to monitor the dinners)? he told Malaysiakini when met recently.
"Do you know why all the 1Malaysia dinners were all fully attended? Because the voters can find peace here That's why they continue to attend every dinner," he added.
In the latest Merlimau by-election, the 1Malaysia NGO has repeated its modus operandi of holding free lunches and dinners almost daily, attended by a few hundreds to thousands of non-Malay voters.
The attendees dined to the background of mega posters of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak with the official 1Malaysia logo.
They also feasted their eyes on young women performers, clad in skimpy outfits, while lucky draws offered attractive prizes.
However, the source claimed that the organisation had been formed by a group of businessmen desirous of promoting Najib's 1Malaysia concept.
They sponsored the goodies distributed to voters in these polls, he said.
They are just supporting Najib's 1Malaysia concept, they won't support the BN, Umno, MCA or other component parties, he insisted. 
Although a voter had confirmed to Malaysiakini that he received RM100 from the NGO to join a meeting with Najib on Feb 19, the source still denied it.
"Why do you think I would do it? It involves vote-buying," he said.
Operations centre closed
He then turned his attention to the media, including Malaysiakini, which had portrayed them as a mysterious organisation.
"Is it wrong for a millionaire to maintain a low profile after doing charity? Why should 1Malaysia NGO be described as mysterious?
"Do you know that because of your reports, how many people will lose those assistance? All the voters here know we are being watched by the media," he asked.
He claimed that after Malaysiakini exposed one of their operations centres in Plaza Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, they were forced to shut it down, as a sponsor had threatened to withdraw.
On the premises being in the name of a two-ringgit shell company, he said it was on loan from a businessman supporter of the NGO.
"The company is not for business purposes, so what does it matter whether the company is an 'empty' company?," he retorted.
