Kuek Ser Kuang Keng
Feb 17, 11 12:56pm
Ong's candidacy was questioned by Pandan Umno division deputy chief Iszeham A Hamid, who is acting division chief, but the suspended division chief Abdul Ghani Ismail lent his support to Ong.
“He does go to the ground. It would be a loss to BN if he was not nominated as a candidate,” said Abdul Ghani when contacted yesterday.
Abdul Ghani was suspended as division chief after he was charged with corruption. The case is still pending in court.
However, he remains as BN coordinator of Chempaka, one of the two state seats under Pandan.
“I don't care whether it is Umno, MCA or Gerakan (to contest the seat), as long as the candidate can win. There are still many who can accept Ong (as their MP). He still enjoys the support.”
He defended Ong against his critics, saying “if you don't work and don't go to the ground, keep your mouth shut”.
Iszeham's 'self-indulgence'
Asked on Iszeham's proposal to Prime Minister and BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak last Saturday, offering a 'solution' to the Pandan candidacy issue, Abdul Ghani said the retired army officer does not understand the ground.
“What does he know? He is a veteran. It is very simple. If Umno can do better than Ong, go ahead (to fight for the seat).”
He said the so-called 'solution' was just Iszeham's personal view out of his 'self-indulgence' (syok sendiri).
He hinted that Iszeham was bidding for his own chance to replace Ong, “now many are lobbying to become a candidate”.
Iszeham could not be reached for comment.
Abdul Ghani also pointed his finger at MCA president Chua Soi Lek who has yet to respond to this issue.
“The MCA president does not know the area. He is good at talking but does he know the ground?”
Create more problems if dropped
Abdul Ghani's stance was echoed by Pandan Gerakan division chief Lim Choong Meng.
“It is better to let Ong contest because he has the people's support. The people trust him,” he told Malaysiakini yesterday.
“He survived the 'political tsunami'. I believe he can sail through the next general election.”
Lim also worried about how would it affect BN's chance in Pandan should Ong be dropped.
“If BN changes the candidate, can they win the seat? This is a major problem.
“Should Ong contests as an independent, it would create more problems.”
Ong had insisted that he would continue to contest in Pandan “as long as I'm still a Malaysian citizen”.
Pandan MCA expresses reservations
However, Ong did not get the endorsement from his own party division.
Pandan MCA division chief Eric Ong Chen Huing appeared non-committal when asked about the issue.
“As division chairperson, I will give my full cooperation to all parliamentarians and state assemblypersons.
“At the same time I also respect the decision of the top leadership of MCA and Umno.”
The controversy surrounding Ong's candidacy intensified after Iszeham last Saturday proposed a 'solution' regarding the Pandan candidacy when meeting Najib.
While details of the 'solution' have not been revealed, it is no secret that Ong does not see eye-to-eye with Umno division leaders in his constituency. Hence the speculation that he may be on his way out.
Ong was first elected as Ampang Jaya MP in a by-election in 1989. He held the seat until 2004 when it was delineated into Ampang and Pandan, and Ong continued his term in Pandan.
In the 'political tsunami' that defeated many BN incumbents in 2008, Ong retained Pandan with a 2,692 majority and become the only MCA parliamentarian in Selangor.
He later failed to defend the MCA presidency in bitter polls last year, losing to Dr Chua Soi Lek. He eventually lost his post as transport minister as well.
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