DAP MP Ong Kian Ming announced that he is bowing out from active politics and would not contest in the 15th general election (GE15).
“Many of you may want to know the reason behind my decision not to offer myself as a candidate in GE15.
“While the results of the recent DAP central election committee elections did play a role in confirming my decision to take a break from politics, it was not the main reason for my decision,” he said in a statement.
Explaining further, Ong said that when he was first offered to become a candidate for the Serdang MP seat in 2013, he agreed with his wife that he would serve for two-terms and re-evaluate the situation thereafter.
With his second term coming to an end, the DAP leader believed that he had served his constituents, DAP and country to his best.
“Hence, it is now time for the younger generation in the party to take over the reins of leadership,” Ong stated.
When Pakatan Harapan captured Putrajaya in 2018, Ong was appointed Deputy International Trade and Industries Minister in the Cabinet led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In the recently concluded DAP polls, both Ong and Damansara MP Tony Pua failed to garner enough votes for the central executive committee race.
It was speculated that the duo fell out of favour from the grassroots as they were seen open to discussion with former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, when the latter extended an olive branch to Pakatan as UMNO was plotting to oust him from power.
After successfully dislodging Muhyiddin from Putrajaya, his successor Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob eventually signed a memorandum of understanding with Pakatan on initiating several reforms; similar to the ones proposed by the former before his ouster.
On that note, Ong pledged to support to DAP secretary general Anthony Loke and any candidates they nominate for the Bangi parliamentary seat.
“I will continue to serve my constituency and the party until the Parliament is dissolved. Bear in mind that I’m not retiring from politics but taking a break to regroup and recharge.
“As for my plans after GE15, I will take a much-needed break and spend some time to exercise, read and reflect on how and where I can best put the skills and knowledge which I have accumulated over the past nine years to good use,” he quipped. – May 9, 2022
