KUALA LUMPUR – Former MCA president Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat has confirmed that he is making a political comeback through Warisan.
It is not yet revealed where the former Pandan MP will be fielded but he is likely to get an urban seat as Warisan attempts to make inroads into Peninsular Malaysia.
There is even speculation he will go back to Pandan to face off against PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli.
When contacted, Ong said, “Yes, I will be contesting under Warisan but I have yet to receive the surat watikah (election letter) (from Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal).”
Ong as transport minister – after the 2008 general election – was pivotal in demanding accountability in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal that cost taxpayers RM12.5 billion due to mismanagement, inflated land deals and construction costs.
“I am happy to be back after a hiatus of 10 years,” the 65-year-old told The Vibes.
“Warisan gives me a platform to champion integrity and a corrupt free Malaysia – issues which I have always been passionate about.”
After losing the MCA presidential election in 2010, Ong was dropped from the cabinet line-up as well as a candidate for the 2013 general election.
MCA went on to lose the Pandan seat to Rafizi in that year’s national polls.
Earlier, Shafie hinted that a former MCA president would be among the candidates to contest in Peninsular Malaysia under Warisan for the 15th general election next month.
He added that other former leaders and members of major parties such as PKR and Umno would also be fielded to represent the party in the peninsula.
On October 13, he said Warisan would contest all 25 parliamentary seats in Sabah as well as the Labuan seat, adding that the party had identified several parliamentary seats in Johor, Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Selangor and Perak which it is keen to contest.
Shafie said he would announce the party’s candidates to be fielded in Peninsular Malaysia on November 1, and November 3 for candidates in Sabah. – The Vibes, October 29, 2022
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