‘Ong made way for the young’
Liow: Tanjung Malim rep was not dropped
BENTONG: There is no infighting within the party over the Tanjung Malim parliamentary seat, said MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
The incumbent MP Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, he said, had in fact wanted to retire to give way to the younger generation.
“There is no issue here. He will still stay on as MCA secretary-general and will help the party to campaign on the ground during the general election,” Liow told reporters after attending a Civil Defence Department event in Janda Baik here.
He was commenting on the naming of Perak MCA chief Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon as the Barisan Nasional candidate for Tanjung Malim.
Hundreds of Ong’s supporters gathered in front of the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya on Thursday to voice their disagreement over the decision.
However, Liow stressed that Ong was not “dropped” as a candidate.
“I discussed this with him many times. He had expressed his intention to retire early on,” he said.
Thanking Ong for his contribution to the party and country, Liow said that Ong might have different views on the selection of his successor but that he ultimately accepted the party’s decision.
“We take note of the local residents’ feelings,” he said.
Ong, 64, is a two-term Tanjung Malim MP as well as also the outgoing International Trade and Industry Minister II.
In this general election, Dr Mah, 53, will lock horns with PKR’s Chang Lih Kang and PAS’ Mohd Tarmizi Abd Rahman for the seat.
Earlier, Liow joined local residents to clean up Sungai Benum.
With its crystal clear water and rocky riverbed, Sungai Benum is a popular picnic spot.
Liow said the site could even host water activities, such as telematches and fishing, to attract more tourists to Janda Baik.