| Ka Ting, Kong Choy Not Seeking Re-Election At MCA Polls |
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KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and his deputy Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy will not be defending their party posts at MCA's forthcoming party elections on Oct 18.
"I have decided not to seek re-election to defend the party president's post. It is a decision that I have thought about thoroughly after seeking the views of fellow party member for the past three months.
"It is not a hurried decision but one that I have deliberated at great length after much consultations," he said in a statement issued here, Saturday.
Ong said it had been his political approach that a leader should not hold on to one's position for to long and this decision today was a natural progression to what he had always advocated.
"When I took over the party's leadership in May 2003 one of my immediate actions was to amend MCA's constitution to limit a party president's term to only nine years.
"For ministers, state executive councillors and local municipal councillors, their tenure limited to two general election terms," he said.
Ong further said that he had always emphasised the need for a healthy political culture in the MCA and this included the need to groom leaders as part of the partys renewal and rejuvenation process.
"The MCA also believes in the need to ensure a smooth succession plan. Over the past six years, many young and talented MCA leaders have emerged and certainly, these party leaders must be given the opportunity to serve the country, community and party in a more effective way," he said.
Ong, who is also the former Housing and Local Government minister and currently Member of Parliament for Kulai, said the results of the March 8 General Election saw Malaysians, including the Chinese community, sending a strong message to the party.
"Certainly, the results showed the need for all of us to reflect and rethink what has taken place. The elections saw only 15 MCA Members of Parliament being elected.
"As party president, I must take responsibility for the results. As a matter of principle, I took the decision not to re-nominate myself for a Cabinet position," said Ong.
Ong also said over the last few months, he had listened and talked to party members across the nation and prepared them by indicating that no leader was indispensable and the importance of team work instead of over- relying on a personality.
"Together with my deputy, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, we were joined by our line-up of Ministers, Deputy Ministers and other party leaders. We have spoken with one voice as a team during the road show," he said.
Ong said he would continue to serve the people and the party and will support his party colleagues in the renewal process and stressed that it was important that MCA leaders should not cling on to power.
"The party belongs to the party members. Certainly, it does not belong to any individual.
"Finally, I wish to extend my appreciation to all MCA leaders and members who have gone through thick and thin with me, especially during the general election and post-March 8 period," he said.
Meanwhile, Chan, who is currently overseas, when contacted, said he also had the same intention not to seek re-election and would make an official announcement on the matter soon.
"I have been going around the country and telling party members that I would most likely not seek re-election. However, I am waiting for the right time to make the proper announcement," he said.
With this latest development, several party leaders such as vice-president and Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat, party secretary-general and Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Ong Ka Chuan as well as Youth Chief and Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai are likely to be the frontrunners to contest the top two posts in October.
There is also the possibility of two former vice-presidents, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Datuk Chua Jui Meng, joining the fray.
-- BERNAMA
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