The 1Malaysia-Penang Welfare Club, which is on a massive donation drive in Penang, has expressed unhappiness that its ‘noble’ intention has been misconstrued by certain quarters.

NONE "It is very unfortunate that our noble intention to do charitable deeds has been distorted or misunderstood by certain people ...," club president Geh Choh Hun said at a charity dinner in Penang last night.

"There are also others who intentionally disrupt our events in their quest to divide and conquer but we must stand firm. We must unite in harmony and reject such behaviour for the better of Penang and Malaysia as a whole.

“My mother had taught me to be patient and not to engage in mudslinging. Instead of criticising others ... I will continue to be constructive for the well-being of the society.”

At the dinner, jointly organised with the Women's Centre for Change  (WCC), Geh handed out a total of RM340,000  to 29 NGOs working on issues relating to women and children.

Geh presented a mock cheque of RM200,000 to the WCC fundraising ambassador Annie Chin, while the other NGOs received RM5,000 each.

The dinner featured free flow of beer, lucky draws, a fashion show and entertainment by Taiwanese-Hokkien sensation Only You.

NONE Several BN leaders were among the 800 guests, who also included well-connected billionaire Low Teck Jho - or Jho Low (right) - as he is better known.

The club has been making waves since the beginning of the month by organising free dinners in various locations, especially in the Pulau Tikus area under the Bukit Bendera parliamentary constituency.

Lucky draws on Saturday

It has courted controversy by organising a RM3.2 million contest, where  40 people from the state's 40 constituencies will be eligible to win prizes of RM500 each in lucky draws.

The results will be announced on Saturday at the Han Chiang College field, during a concert involving local and international stars that is being organised by the club with Jho Low’s help.

NONE Club representatives will randomly pick winners from among contestants wearing the 1Malaysia t-shirt or apron, or who put up posters or banners at their properties or buildings.

Pakatan Rakyat leaders have urged the authorities to probe these events, which allegedly include betting, claiming that such tactics will jeorpardise their electoral performance.

Insisting however that it is neither BN funded nor assisting the coalition, the club has clarified that it depends on donations from well-wishers who prefer not to be identified.

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