Ong: It’s my last general election

PENANG: This general election will be the last one MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (pic, left) will contest. Ong, who is also Housing and Local Government Minister, made the announcement at the state MCA Chinese New Year Solidarity Dinner at the Esplanade last night.

“I am already 51 years old this year and have been the party’s president for more than four years. This will be my last time standing in general elections.
“Unlike the Opposition where a candidate can keep on contesting until he is old, the MCA has a policy where a leader can serve a maximum of nine years as president or three terms,” he said, adding that it was healthy to have new blood in the leadership.

Ong was appointed the party president in 2003 and retained his post in 2005. He has been the Housing and Local Government Minister since 1999.Ong said the Chinese must unite and support the MCA to ensure that they are well represented in the government.

Reminding the community that the party has championed the rights of the Chinese for more than 58 years, Ong said the Chinese community had played an active and effective role in mainstream politics. “Since the early days, we formed a party to protect our rights and represent us in the government.

“Unlike the DAP, which has nothing to show after 42 years of being set up, the MCA has a solid track record." “The DAP keeps telling the MCA what it should do for the Chinese, yet it does not have a vision for the community,” he said, adding that the Chinese must be optimistic and confident about their future in the country.

“We have always done well in education and many of our children are students who have gained places in local universities. “The community has also produced a large pool of professionals who are all doing well

DAP had done things that Ong yourself cant do, so please dont comment on what people do and dont, but just to yourself.....