Suspicions of questionable practice were aroused when Malaysiakini journalists spotted a long queue at the BN Bukit Cekati operations room in Galas today.

NONE About 300 people queued up at the operations room to allegedly get cash payments after having cast their votes.

They first had to first register themselves at the counter to be confirmed as actual voters.

Then, they were seen heading into a makeshift room behind the operations centre, and later left with brown envelopes.

Malaysiakini journalists asked some of them what they received, to be told that the envelope contained RM250. It is uncertain whether the money was for transport or voting for the BN.

Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who is also Galas election director was also spotted there. But he refused to comment on the matter.

This is the second time where BN has been caught handing out cash, as during the Manek Urai by-election on July 14 last year when similar activities were detected.

'Only volunteers' says Ku Li

Later, after polling has closed, about 100 people were seen outside the BN operations room seeking payment.

C NONE omprising about 60 men and 40 women, they have gathered there since earlier today demanding for the alleged transportation allowance. Some left at about 7pm after receiving payment.

A number in the crowd claimed that they have yet to get the RM250. Thong Chong Liong ( right ), 57, said that he had waited since noon but has not gotten anything.

PAS could also be considered guilty of offering such handouts as it had proposed to pay RM250 to voters residing outside Galas to return home for the polls.

When asked after a press conference held at his home in Bukit Cekati after the official results were announced, Tengku Razaleigh denied the allegations.

He said that the recipients were BN volunteers who had helped in the by-election campaign.

“They were paid after rendering their services. There was no paying (of outsiders),” said the Gua Musang MP.

“How many thousands would we need to pay?” he said.

1Malaysia T-shirts allowed

In another development, Election Commission deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar allowed voters wearing 1Malaysia T-shirts into Galas polling centres.

NONE "It's okay. We only ban the logo of political parties, (not 1Malaysia). You want to wear 2Malaysia, also can," Wan Ahmad told Malaysiakini when visiting SRJK (C) Gua Musang.

He was commenting on complaints about promises of a RM100 reward for those in the T-shirts after they had voted.

Wan Ahmad said he had not received any complaint on the matter.

"Whoever knows about it, please go lodge a police report. We have heard lots of stories, but the EC did not receive any official report," he said.