MCA president takes relection bid to the people

Embattled MCA party president Ong Tee Keat kicked off his campaign today to defend his presidency by taking the battle to the grassroots.

Ong began his campaign at Kelana Jaya MCA Division in conjunction with the launch of another 1Malaysia Community Alliance Foundation mobile squad.

"The message of transformation should not be just confined to within the party circle, it should not be just confined among the delegates," he said.

"The total number of delegates is only 2400. However we need to keep the largest segment of our populace informed, of not just our presence but also our commitment to the cause."

A similar NGO-assisted squad meant for providing basic health services to the public was launched by Tee Keat (right) at the MCA Annual General Meeting on March 7.

However the vehicle for the squad now carries Ong's image with the words: 'Ong Tee Keat for president'.

Blessing of the people

In what seemed like a subtle jibe at his rivals, he said that he did not have the support of the tycoons but he has the blessing of the people.

When asked about the possibility of former MCA president Ong Ka Ting joining the race, Tee Keat said that the veteran had a right to do so according to the party's constitution.

Based on recent turnout at the party's AGM, it is estimated that Tee Keat's support stands at about one-fourth of the total central delegates.

Tee Keat's move to court the 'men in the street' is seen as a strategy to pressure the delegates to support his bid for the presidency.

Meanwhile, Kelana Jaya Wanita chief Ong Choon Swen announced her intention to contest for a central committee post.

On March 4, former vice president Chua Soi Lek and his supporters and former vice president Liow Tiong Lai's faction had resigned en masse from the central committee.

The resignation of two-thirds of the central committee members forced fresh party elections which will commence on March 28.

courtesy of Malaysiakini