Today is polling day in Machap and not surprisingly, allegations of vote-buying against the BN emerged again.

A police report was lodged at the Tebong police station near Machap this afternoon by the DAP after they received information that voters were allegedly paid up to RM200 each at a BN operation room.

According to DAP party worker Thing Siew Shuen, she and her colleagues received a tip-off at around noon that they were many people queuing outside a vacant house next to one which was used to accommodate Johor Umno members.

"When we reached there at around 12, we still see the queue there and the people are of all races," she told malaysiakini .

"The people go into the house one by one and the door will be closed once a person enters. When they come out, we can see them putting money into their pockets," she added.

Thing and her DAP colleagues approached a number of people who came out from the house to find out what was going on but most them declined to say anything.

"However, we managed to ask one couple whether (the money offered) is as high as three digits, and they replied 'yes' and told us that 'those came from far away can get RM200'," Thing said.

'KFC tonight'

Another eyewitness, Federal Territory DAP vice-chairperson Steven Chan said there were over 70 people queuing outside the vacant house.

"A woman told me she and her husband received RM100 each. Another Indian man said he will have KFC tonight.

"Others tried to avoid us when we approached them. Most of them said there was nothing going on or that it was biasalah (the usual)," he said.

Chan ( photo ) noted that there were about 12 people in Barisan Nasional shirts in the house and one of them even threatened him not to go closer.

"He shouted at us saying that he will call more Umno Youth members to chase us away. We were worried and went to the police instead," he said.

Several people were seen clearing the house in Tebong when malaysiakini arrived at the scene. The press was not allowed to enter.

In an immediate reaction, MCA president Ong Ka Ting brushed off the allegation.

"DAP will always lodge report based on their political tactics, whatever they do are for their political mileage. They are trying to put on some last-minute acts to fish for votes," he said when asked by reporters to respond on the claim outside the Machap Baru MCA operation room.

Defending the BN, Ong added: "I don't believe that (the claim) and neither do they (DAP) know if there is any basis. They are just doing it for the sake of doing it, this is what DAP used to do, I don't think we have to take it too seriously."

The MCA president stressed it is not a BN practice to offer money for vote-buying.

Alor Gajah MP and MCA vice-president Dr Fong Chan On earlier also told reporters that the electoral system is transparent and has no room for vote-buying.

Anwar draws the crowds

On another note, the MCA president was unfazed at the huge turnout at the ceramah held by PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim in Machap last night.

"I heard he brought a lot of outsiders with him to Machap. Machap Baru never had so many cars and local residents told me those present at his (Anwar's) ceramah are strange faces," said Ong, who is also the housing and local government minister.

"He likes to take his supporters everywhere he goes, let him do it," he added.

The presence of Anwar in Machap last night stole the limelight when he attracted thousands of people to his ceramah at Melaka Pindah, a Malay-concentrated area where a big majority are staunch Umno supporters.

While BN is almost certain to win the contest, all eyes are on whether the opposition is able to slash the ruling party's whopping majority of 4,562 it garnered three years ago.

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