Regina Lee
Feb 16, 11 10:39am
Appearing to show no signs of eagerness for the MCA election, Ong said he would rather focus attention on his constituency these days.
Asked to comment on the MCA central committee's recommendation for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to postpone the party polls, Ong said this was not on his 'radar'.
Many have said that MCA head Dr Chua Soi Lek has checkmated dissidents into submitting to an EGM, especially when rumours abound that Ong is planning to challenge the presidency.
“At this juncture, what's important and the pressing need is the Pandan agenda, the people's livelihoods and the macro issues,” Ong told reporters after his Chinese New Year open house in his constituency in Selangor last night.
“We need to look at the big issues impacting the nation, rather than to just focus on this so-called partisan exercise.”
Pressed further, he said he would rather “focus on the people” who gave him the mandate.
“I have no role to play in the EGM. So I want to keep clear of all this. My hands are full so I don't have time for politicking. If there is any politicking, count me out,” he later said.
If there are indications as to whether Pandan voters want Ong to defend the seat in the next general election, there was no need to look far.
At the open house held in SJKC On Pong 2, the predominantly Chinese visitors were greeted with several banners in support of Ong, with even one lambasting the MCA leadership.
In a recurring theme, speeches by 'representatives' of Pandan residents also pledged support for Ong to defend the seat.
Signature drive
A signature drive, claimed to be organised by 58 NGOs based in Pandan, has also been initiated with about 120 signatures already collected.
Pandan MCA Wanita chief Cindy Leong said the signatures, to be attached to a memorandum supporting Ong, will be handed to the prime minister next week.
The public backing for Ong has come after Pandan Umno division deputy chief Izeham A Hamid last Saturday proposed a 'solution' regarding the Pandan candidacy when meeting Prime Minister and BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak.
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 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 Chua. He eventually lost his post as transport minister as well.
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