A journalist walked away with a brand new car worth more than RM100,000 from a lucky draw at the media night organised by the Prime Minister’s Office Thursday night.

The lucky reporter, Kalidass Subramaniom from the Thina Kural Tamil Daily , said he was elated to win the Peugeot 408, which is a huge step up from the Perodua Kelisa that he currently drives.

"I feel so very happy, thanks to the media night tonight," the visibly excited Kalidass told Malaysiakini after the event.

He said he has no intention to sell the car because it was "his luck" and would use it for long-distance journeys while the Kelisa will be for daily use.

According to Peugeot’s website, the 408 has a 2.0 litre engine and carries an on-the-road price tag of RM109,888 in peninsular Malaysia.

The Peugeot sedan was the grand prize out of more than 600 prizes up for grabs last night, and was attended by about 1,000 media practitioners, bloggers, civil servants, ministers, and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor.

According to the emcees, the event is meant to show appreciation to the media.

"As the government, we consider the media as a partner. If we want to build our country, make it the country of our dreams, and bring it to the pinnacle of success that we can be proud of, then the role of the media is very important," Najib added in his speech. 

Gifts galore

Most of the prizes appeared to be kitchen appliances and cookware such as rice cookers, blenders, pots, and pans.

There were also bicycles and motorcycles, plus electronics such as two iPhone 6 (64 gigabyte) smartphones, Samsung Tab 4 tablets, and Samsung LED televisions of various sizes up to 75 inches.

Winners from the five rounds of lucky draw had to collect their prizes from two redemption counters, but there was heavy backlog as the counters were unable to distribute all the prizes before the next round of lucky numbers were called.

The sixth and final draw was conducted in the usual manner on stage – with a VIP drawing the winning number out of a jar.

It is unclear who foot the bill for the lucky draw, but the emcee announced that some prizes were sponsored by Naza.

Apart from the prizes, guests at the media night also received a goodie bag with an umbrella, crackers, a mug, a notepad, a flashlight, and a book on Islamic inheritance.

Corporate banners from Naza Bikes, Keeway, and Peugeot were also displayed at the event, raising the possibility that they may have been among the sponsors.

Event organiser and Najib’s press secretary Tengku Sharifuddin Tengku Ahmad declined to answer any questions about the event when approached after its conclusion.

GST like circumcision

Apart the prizes, song, dance and comedy performances also helped to spice the event, including live music by the Royal Malaysian Navy band Gelombang Biru, and songs performed by bands made up of media practitioners.

A comedian quipped that the newly introduced Goods and Services Tax was akin to circumcision.

"Because you only give the tip - six percent. At first it will be uncomfortable, but later it won't only be okay, but even better!"

The highlight of the night’s entertainment however was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Idris Jala and de facto law minister Nancy Shukri (photo) , who went on stage to loud cheers from the audience.

Idris strummed his guitar and performed two duets with Nancy: ‘Help me make it through the night’ and ‘Apo nak dikato’, the latter a song in Negri Sembilan dialect popularised by Blues Gang.

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Editor's note: Malaysiakini was not invited to this event, but was at the venue to cover the prime minister's speech.