Ka Ting bids for No 1

KUALA LUMPUR – Former MCA president Ong Ka Ting said today that he will contest for the MCA party presidency during the March 28 central committee elections .

He said the decision to contest for the top post was made after discussing with party delegates, veterans and members.

There had been strong rumours that Ka Ting would seek to resurrect his political career by making a comeback and make a bid for the MCA presidency.

The MCA has been riddled with political problems after factions led by vice president Liow Tiong Lai, Youth Chief Wee Ka Siong and their supporters revolted against party president Ong Tee Keat.

Did not want to seek re-election but...

Ka Ting said though he had promised that he would not seek re-election, the current state of affairs with the party has made him reconsider.

"Good governance and collective leadership, practised and advocated by my team during my presidency, have become almost entirely a thing of the past as soon as I have retired," he said in media statement today.

"I'd be selfish if I stayed out," the statement added.

Greatly embarrassed if he fails

He claimed that there was therefore, an urgent need for these weaknesses to be quickly addressed and rectified," he said.

Ka Ting also said that the party had also been plagued by in-fighting ever since the Oct 18, 2008 party elections, which he said "brought shame to MCA and its supporters. "

Given the circumstances, Ka Ting said he could have "taken the easy way out" and stayed out because he would be greatly embarrassed should he fail to win the presidency.

Three-horse race expected

Ka Ting is the first person to announce his intention to challenge Ong Tee Keat as party president.

Ong had announced last week that he would defend his post.

Former deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek is expected to announce his candidacy on Friday making it a three-horse race.

Comments

written by Osama, March 16, 2010

You quit the party when you were thrashed in the March 2008 elections! You left when the chips were down, now, you are taking advantage of the turmoil in MCA to resurrect your political career. Are you doing it for the party or are you doing it for yourself? Had you not left the party in a huff after the GE12, the party will not be in such turmoil, but, you were smart, you were afraid you would be forced out! Instead you resigned and now you see the opportunity to come back and you said you are offering yourself to serve the party! Fork tongued like all MCA politicians! Why don't you just fade away?
You will be thrashed anyway come the next GE. If you really are fighting for the Rakyat you should contest in a Chinese majority seat of at least 80% to prove your honesty and sincerity! Seats like Petaling Jaya Utara, Ipoh Timur, Seputeh, Tanjong or Cheras should suit you fine!

written by Chin Lee Shin, March 16, 2010

He abandoned the party once. Are we going to give this man second bite at the cherry? You must be kidding Ka Ting.

written by steven, March 16, 2010

Hope KT wins and follow up by another trashing in GE 13. Great news to the opposition.

written by ding ding, March 16, 2010

This confirm that OKT is the one engineering the crisis in MCA. It befits the backroom manipulator reputation of this man. It is a bloody disgrace and shame to MCA to have this man as president again. I cry for you, MCA.

written by Jian Hui, March 16, 2010

Thank you for mastermining the turmoil in MCA thru Liow and his Brutus' Wee, 'Fried rice noodle' and now trying to be the saviour of MCA...what a pitch to deceive the delegates. Only delegates who are only concern for their own interests will vote for OKT so to cover all the wrong doings unearthed by OTK. Our community has already lost their confidence on OKT during GE12. If he wins and becomes the President once again...MCA will definitely be doomed come GE13. Wake up..for heaven's sake..MCA delegates don't let this mastermind OKT lead you to doomsday..GE13!