Tycoons sponsor pro-BN mega dinner on April 20

A 5,500-table mega dinner sponsored by tycoons will be held on the night of nomination day in Klang to show the support of Selangor Chinese associations for caretaker Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and BN.

According to Sin Chew Daily, the dinner on April 20 can accommodate 55,000 people and it will be entered into the Malaysia Book of Records.

Due to its mammoth size, it can only be held at Port Klang Free Zone, said working committee co-chairperson Steven Lim, who is also the group managing director of Multimedia Entertainment Sdn Bhd group, during a press conference yesterday.

He said the dinner is jointly organised by Chinese associations in Selangor to express their support for Najib to continue leading the nation and recapture the Selangor state government from Pakatan Rakyat.

The organising committee co-chairpersons are prominent businessman Ta Kin Yan of Waz Lian Group chairperson and tycoon Abu Sahid Mohamed, who owns the highway concessionaire Maju Expressway (MEX) and who is also chairperson of Kinsteel Bhd, which owns Perwaja Holdings Berhad.

Other committee members are Orient Group of Companies chairperson Philip Siew, WHH Group executive chairperson Alex Chua and Ipmuda Berhad managing director Richard Lim.

Although entry to the dinner is free, attendants need to secure vouchers sponsored by businesses.

They will be entertained by Hong Kong artist Justin Lo, Taiwan singer-turned politician Yu Tien, Taiwan artist He Yi-hang and local artistes.

Najib, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek and Ipoh-born international actress Michelle Yeoh (right) will also attend the dinner.

Siew revealed that all expenses of the performers are sponsored.

Asked whether the Chinese associations that organise the dinner would be criticised as the dinner is seen as a political event, Steven Lim said the associations have their democratic right to support the premier.

“It would be very undemocratic if they criticise us,” he was quoted as saying.

Garnering the support of Chinese tycoons who control many major companies that employ thousands or even hundreds thousands of employees has been part of Najib’s strategy to take back the Selangor state government.

In January this year, Najib addressed some 80 tables of leaders from various Chinese business circles and organisations during a private dinner held at Abu Sahid’s mansion in Kuala Lumpur.