Tee Keat gets public backing for him to remain as MCA boss

By Clara Chooi

SUBANG JAYA, March 15 — MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said today that he had the support of the “man on the street” despite clear signs of his waning support by UMNO in the troubled Barisan Nasional (BN) party.

In a press conference after launching his election campaign at the MCA Kelana Jaya office here, Ong admitted to reporters that he did not have the backing of many party leaders or “the tycoons”, but he did have the public’s support.

“When your colleagues and people ask me whose support I have and whose backing I have, I can only think of one answer — the man on the street.

“All those messages I have received; some sent to me and some to my colleagues and they forward it to me... really, we are deeply touched by the overwhelming response from the people,” he said.

Ong refused to say if he was walking into the presidential race as the underdog, pointing out that it did not matter as it is his duty to “walk the talk”.

“If someone is truly committed to his cause, then it is his duty to ensure he walks the talk. So now that I have made my announcement, I made it with full commitment to the transformation that I want for the party.

“And no matter what, I remain undeterred by whatever speculation and whatever intimidation that may come my way,” he said.

In what appears to be an open challenge to his rivals, Ong said that his struggle would not be so easily hampered by one or two dissenting voices.

“In this democratic system, anyone can come up with his or her own stand. But we do not force people to vote for or against anyone. It is still up to the individual.

“I say I am committed to the transformation so do not tell me that I do not dare to defend that commitment. To me, I must fight this to the end and my commitment cannot be so easily destroyed... just by one or two voices of dissent,” he said.

Ong was responding to MCA Youth Chief Brutus Wee Ka Siong’s statement that he would be able to convince at least 200 youth delegates not to vote for the former in the coming party elections on March 28. 200 Youth Delegates ?? Wah the youth people so stupid one meh ! Listen to the fuck tup bastard ! So he is saying if he ask these 200 people to go jump into the tham pui ( used in olden days to pee at night ) they will also do so eh ! What an idiot ! The Taliban has a vacancy for you arsehole , to recruit would be suicide bombers .

Ong would not say if he was worried about Brutus Wee’s boast and merely said that the delegates would be able to determine for themselves who they wanted to lead the party. This fat pig is a real boaster cock ! Will sell his mother also if he is promised the Transport Ministership

Meanwhile, Ong denied that his election campaign was an attempt to not only win over the confidence of the party delegates but also to further cement his support from the “man on the street”.

He had earlier launched a mobile squad unit here, which is a large white van bearing his face, in conjunction with his election campaign.

“This was something that we have already announced that we would do before. This launch is done in conjunction with my campaign but like I said before, this is actually for us to offer up our services across the nation. We will help the people in handing government-related issues and also provide them with basic healthcare services,” he said.

Ong noted that the idea of the mobile squad had already been mooted and approved by the party’s presidential council and central committee in January.

“I will not say it is my strategy (to woo the public) but if we are talking about real transformation, it is not just a process or a gimmick meant for election purposes. Transformation is an ongoing process for all members and we must make the people feel that we are truly committed to such a cause.

“If we talk about change, it is unfair to only start doing it just because we are going to polls,” he said.