PKR-linked NGO Invoke's adviser Rafizi Ramli today warned his critics that they were straddling a "very thin line" by arguing about the morality of offering cash prizes to encourage registration of new voters.

The PKR secretary-general singled out Bersih chief Maria Chin Abdullah and Centre to Combat Cronyism and Corruption (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel, both of whom have criticised Invoke's registration incentive.

"My point is this: It is a very thin line to argue along that line (morality).

"Especially more so if you are from an NGO perspective. Because it is common for NGOs like C4 and all - I am not sure about Bersih - it is common that we (NGO) get grants because we champion specific campaigns," he told reporters at Menara UEM in KL Sentral, after a meeting with top officers from Khazanah Nasional Berhad.

"I don't take salary from any grants but I don't know about Cynthia.

"If you turn the issue around, that you get paid from a grant to say things, that's even more tricky, is it not, than for example just prize money to encourage people to vote and do something?" he argued.

Maria had yesterday said the move is a reflection of the "pathetic" state of affairs in the country.

Cynthia, meanwhile, was quoted as saying that Invoke should not have compromised democratic values by offering a cash incentive to young voters.

Commenting further, Rafizi pointed out that he had pledged RM300,000 of his own savings for the weekly RM2,600 total cash prize, with a clear target of registering a few thousand voters a week.

"We think we can get thousands of people weekly... And that's very cheap. That's hardly RM1 per person in order to influence the way things go in society.

"Compare that to the public that has given RM2 million plus to Bersih, they (Bersih) brought 400,000 people for one night or two nights...

“That costs about RM8 per person, but to what end?" he asked, in reference to the Bersih 4 rally last year.

'If you can't help, let it be'

Since Invoke's competition was launched on Monday, Rafizi said he has received numerous messages and calls on technical issues with regard to voters registration, which could now be addressed.

The PKR vice-president defended the move as having created the 'buzz' needed to encourage some four million unregistered new voters.

Rafizi also insisted he is forced to take matters into his hands after alleged failures by politicians and NGOs to do their part to encourage voters to register.

"I think if you can't help, then just let it be.

"But to preach on morality when actually, you know, you are more or less on thin ice on that basis... Then I think it is not proper," he added.

Separately, Rafizi also commented on a state-wide survey in Selangor by think thank Institute Darul Ehsan that found a majority of voters in its Malay belt are still loyal supporters of Barisan Nasional.

This is despite their awareness of 1MDB controversies linked to BN chairperson and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"Actually that (the finding) is in line with what I have said all along.

"You have to relate it (1MDB issue) to their lives..." said the Pandan MP.

Rather than targeting their traditional vote bank, Rafizi said he has been focusing on some 30 percent of younger, first-time voters across all races.

"From the new voters, across all races, maybe only around 10 to 15 percent are BN supporters," he said.

The IDE survey, which was conducted from 26 to 30 August, showed that 29 percent of their respondents believed that BN can remain the incumbent federal government under Najib's leadership.