Ong Ka Ting says he will contest presidency

MCA polls: Ong Ka Ting says he will contest presidency

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MCA president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting announced Tuesday that he would contest the president's post in the upcoming party polls on March 28.

In a press statement, he said that he was responding to calls from concerned members.

“I believe that their calls are motivated primarily by their genuine concern and love for the party in order to see a quick end to the damaging factional in-fighting which is going on.

“To all these members who care and love the party, I say I hear you, loud and clear.

“I would, therefore, like to announce my candidacy for the MCA presidency in the coming party elections.

“In arriving at my decision, I am only too mindful of the fact that no one is indispensable. Neither does the party belong to any individual as the party belongs to the party members.

“Of course, I could have taken the easy way out by continuing to stay out of party matters after my retirement. Especially, should I fail to win the presidency, it would only cause me embarrassment.

“However, the current state of affairs in the party and being the immediate past president, it will indeed be selfish on my part if I do not rise to respond to this call to duty and undertake this challenge to bring stability, and restore credibility and rule of law in the party.

“All in all, I am doing this out of my love and concern for the party and community,” he said in his statement.

Ong was the party president from 2003 to 2008.

Incumbent president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has already announced that he will defend his post.

Blogger: We will see Ong Ka Ting contesting against Ong Tee Keat. However, Chua Soi Lek would join in and how about Liow Tiong Lai? Is there going to be a 4 corner fight or just Ong Ka Ting against Ong Tee Keat?