The Education Ministry said there was nothing wrong in BN representatives giving out the RM100 handout to schools and that Pakatan MPs could do the same with their own administrations' aid.

“It is up to the Education Department to invite BN representatives to hand out the RM100 school aid,” said Deputy Education Minister Mohd Puad Zakarshi.

NONE “They are the people’s representatives from the governing party, therefore there is no problem if they are invited (to give out the cash),” he told Malaysiakini in a SMS last night.

“It does not need to be polemicised, especially since BN would not be concerned if opposition MPs hand out any aid given by their government,” he added.

Yesterday it was reported that some schools in Johor, Umno’s stronghold had been instructed to invite BN leaders to distribute the one-off RM100 cash aid for students.

In particular, the schools were instructed to display banners publicising the event until the next general election.

These instructions were contained in documents found on the websites of the Education Ministry and several Johor district education offices’ (DEO).

The financial aid for students was announced in Budget 2013 and is expected to target 5.4 million from Year One to Form Five.

Such handouts in the Budget 2013 were widely criticised as attempts at  buying support for the ruling party in the run up to the next general election, which must be called by April 28.