KUALA LUMPUR: Former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is adamant about contesting the Pandan parliamentary seat, with or without the endorsement of Barisan Nasional and MCA.
The Pandan MP said even if BN or MCA failed to nominate him, he would still find a way to contest.
He did not say under which ticket he planned to contest should he fail to be picked.
"When the time comes, I will announce it," he said. Ong said the Pandan (formerly Ampang Jaya) seat held special significance for him.
"I started my career as an MP here after contesting in 1989. I would like to end my career here, too," he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating a Gong Xi Fa Cai event organised by Pandan Puteri Umno at the Taman Indah Cahaya food court.
Asked by reporters what MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek should do to prepare for his debate with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng on Saturday, Ong said it was not appropriate for him to comment.
"If no one's asking, why should I offer any unsolicited advice? I'm not his mentor," he said.
He also declined the responsibility of becoming the moderator for the debate.
"I would prefer to watch it as a member of the public," he said.
Lim had accepted Dr Chua's challenge to a debate on the topic "Is the two-party system becoming a two-race system?"
However, Lim had claimed last Saturday that Dr Chua had changed the topic to "Malaysian Chinese — quo vadis?"
The debate in Mandarin will be telecast live from the Berjaya Times Square from 5pm to 6pm on Saturday.
Organised by the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research, it will take place during the "Malaysian Chinese at the Political Crossroads" forum, which will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
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