Mega dinner, concert herald campaign for Malaysia's general election

Grandiose pro-government events were held on the first day of the official campaign period for Malaysia's general election, as the ruling National Front tries to overwhelm the opposition with its deep pocket.Thousands joined a mega dinner with Prime Minister and ruling coalition chairman Najib Razak late Saturday in the port city of Klang in Selangor state, one of the four states governed by the opposition since the last election in 2008.Organizers, mainly pro-ruling coalition businessmen and Chinese groups, said the event with more than 50,000 participants is set to make a new record in Malaysia.Michelle Yeoh urged the participants to give a strong mandate to Najib in the upcoming election.The Malaysian-born international movie star and a daughter to a ruling party veteran was facing fierce criticism online from opposition supporters for attending the event.At the same time, a concert was held in Penang, another state won by the opposition in 2008. The concert saw famous singers and artists from Malaysia and other countries performing under the name of "One Malaysia", a concept promoted by Najib since he took power four years ago.The two events may feature what will happen in the rest of the campaign period in the run-up to the polling day on May 5.The National Front is giving out basic goods and other handouts to voters during election campaign, while Najib promised higher pay or better conditions to civil servants and state-owned company workers. Lim Guan Eng, chief minister of the opposition-held Penang state, complained that the ruling coalition is using " money bombs" to recapture the state.Joining the race without a deep pocket and the support of rich businessmen, the opposition is depending on internet and social networking sites to spread ideas and unite those dissatisfied with the government. Political lectures by former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other opposition leaders can easily attract supporters turning out in the number of thousands.Candidates registered on Saturday to contest the 222 parliament seats and 505 state legislature seats in Malaysia's 13th general election, the least predictable election ever since the country's independence in 1957.