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Ong Tee Keat going for MCA presidency in December polls

Tee Keat gesa ICAO bertanggungjawab ke atas MH17

Former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat (pic) is contesting MCA's presidency in the party polls next month, setting the stage for his return to mainstream politics.

He will face deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who had announced his intention to vie for the post a few months ago.

President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had announced he would not seek re-election because of the party's dismal performance in the 13th General Election, where MCA halved its federal and state seats to seven and 11 respectively, from 15 and 32 in the 2008 general election.

"I am offering myself for the presidency. I humbly and sincerely seek the support of the people and the party in my bid," Ong said at a press conference.

His announcement was not a surprise as it had been speculated that he would be making a comeback after being elected as a Kubang Pasu divisional delegate. This allowed him to have a ticket to contest the post.

His latest announcement marked the third time Ong, who has been an MP since 1999, but not fielded to defend his Pandan parliamentary seat in the May polls, is throwing his hat into the ring.

He won the party's top post in the 2008 party polls after beating former vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng but a power struggle led to a re-election in 2010 where Dr Chua won and took over as MCA president.

Ong, who was the former transport minister, said he had learnt from his weaknesses and is now a new man.

He also said he is contesting to revive the party and regain the trust of voters.

Ong agreed that he was known as the "lone ranger" by his critics but noted that if the moniker was true, he would not have been an MP for so many terms. – November 25, 2013.