THE past week has been so ttelling and must as well be a yardstick to gauge the popularity of two former DAP new generation lawmakers, both of whom are currently ‘operating’ behind the curtains – Tony Pua and Ong Kian Ming. Both did not contest in the November 2022 15th General Election (GE15).
Lion-hearted Pua who was the two-term Petaling Jaya Utara and one-term Damansara MP was in the limelight for the right reason so to speak as he alongside DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng courteously stated their ground over the LRT3 Shah Alam project delay after being admonished by Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
In fact, this is the second time that Pua who was Guan Eng’s aide when he was the finance minister found himself at odds with the Selangor Palace, the first was when he came to the defence of DAP Seri Kembangan state assemblywoman Wong Siew Ki and ex-party stalwart Ronnie Liu in the pig farming controversy.
Ironically, being labelled “biadap” (disrespectful) and “pengkhianat” (traitor) by the rightist fraternity seem have music to the ear effect on DAP’s grassroots who hailed the University of Oxford’s Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree holder for his heroics.
Editor’s Note: Moreover, Pua, 53, also attracted some 140 police reports for his 3R (race, religion, royalty) “constitutional monarch bears limited power” incitement.
Truth hurts
On the other extreme, Ong who was a two-term former lawmaker (one-term each Serdang and Bangi) found himself in an antagonistic position among DAP loyalists for predicting a dooms day scenario as in a crushing defeat for the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition come the July 11 Johor state election.
“It’s almost a foregone conclusion that the Barisan Nasional (BN) will maintain control of the state assembly,” projected the research-inclined political scientist and adjunct professor at Taylor’s University in a recent media statement.
“The only question is how many seats with the BN win and what implications will this have on the Negeri Sembilan polls which will take place on Aug 1 and how may the results in both state elections affect the stability of the federal government and the calling of the GE16.”
Editor’s Note: In his pro-BN scenario which has more than 50% chance of happening, Ong expects BN to win 53 out of 56 state seats with PH taking the remaining three seats.
In the pro-PN scenario which is not likely (and even less likely after the “divorce” between PAS and Bersatu), PN is expected to win 25 state seats with BN (21) with PH (10).
Even in the pro-PH scenario, Ong expects BN to still win with a comfortable majority of 39 seats with PH taking 14 and PN (three). As such, BN is most likely form the state government with PN, hence leaving PH in the opposition.
Inevitably, brickbats were hurled at Ong, 50, for his pessimistic PH fortune on the Malaysiakini Facebook page with one commenter sarcastically mocked, “KJ (will offer him minister post. He will join UMNO soon”.
Veteran journalist and former The Sun executive editor Lee Boon Siew reckoned that while “OKM’s prediction is based on observations and recent political wheeling and dealing”, the Chinese electorate could spring a surprise.
“Anybody can make such predictions. But I know that the Chinese are a realistic lot. They will know who to vote to maintain their political power,” he opined.
Some DAP loyalists urged Ong to leave DAP given “people who gracefully accept defeat are known as a good loser”.
One commenter even cautioned against a potential royal pardon for disgraced former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak should BN win big in the Johor state polls.
Well, maybe having faith in the spiritual path is the answer to all uncertainties given “Man proposes. God disposes”.
“🙏🙏🙏 Continue to pray for God’s bountiful blessings upon all DAP candidates to secure their victory against all odds n that Chinese and Indian voters will give their support to DAP candidates as DAP ministers are doing their best to better lives of rakyat,” preached one commenter.
“Moreover, they’re clean, capable and just in discharging their duties. Pray that voters come out in full force to support DAP – not BN – as DAP is definitely a better choice.” – July 5, 2026
