The federal government began disbursing the RM100 handouts to schoolchildren today, but most parents interviewed at a school don't seem to think much of it.

NONE “It won't change my vote lah,” remarked Ong Kim Siong ( left ), 42, at SJK(C) Taman Connaught.

“MCA's performance is not satisfactory. They did little to help Chinese schools.”

Ong, a father of two, said the RM100 one-off handout was a paltry sum compared with what he had to spend on his children's education.

Karen Lo, another parent who was waiting in a line to collect the money, echoed Ong's sentiments.

“Do you think (the money) is enough? No, I won’t change my vote for it,” Lo, a voter from Bandar Tun Razak, said while waving her hand to show her negativity to the notion.

'Obliged to support BN'

However, one self-described hardcore BN supporter, M Jayashree, appeared ecstatic about the handout and said she would continue to vote for the ruling coalition.

NONE “I can buy the pencils, pencil box and other things (for my children with the money) … Of course I will vote for them (BN). I am obliged to do so,” the 36-year-old housewife said.

The school had invited Bandar Tun Razak MCA education fund bureau chairperson Chew Yin Keen to officiate the ceremony.

In his speech, Chew said the RM100 aid from federal government was to reduce the burden of the parents of 5.4 million school-goers.

However, he did not explicitly called on the voters to support BN.

Edu department suggestion

Although the event did not contain any overt BN flavour, one parent complained to Malaysiakini that a politician should not be allowed to officiate the event.

NONE “Do you think the politician contributed the fund? Why should politicians get the publicity?” he asked.

School principal Cheng Sook Chew ( left ) said her school merely implemented a suggestion by the Pudu and Bangsar district education office to invite ruling party officials to officiate at the money handing over.

“There is no official, written instruction on this,” Cheng said, adding that the suggestion was made verbally, during a meeting on Jan 8.

Malaysiakini had earlier reported that schools in Johor have been ordered to invite BN leaders to officiate at such events and display banners publicising the scheme until the general election is called.