Tee Keat unfazed by Rafizi's possible challenge

While acknowledging that PKR’s Rafizi Ramli could pose a tough challenge, veteran MCA leader Ong Tee Keat questioned his possible opponent’s commitment to the constituency.

“Hopefully it is not another seasonal appearance,” Ong told Malaysiakini when quizzed on the surprise announcement of Rafizi’s intentions to contest in Pandan.

Ong, who has held the Pandan parliamentary seat since 2004 and prior to that was the Ampang Jaya MP from 1989 to 2004, is a well-known figure in the locality.

However, Ong (left) said the first-time contender might be difficult to beat and no different from his previous opponents.

“Over the years, none of my opponents, ranging from the late (former Selangor menteri besar) Harun Idris, Zainal Rampak, R Sivarasa to Syed Shahir (Syed Mohamud), had ever given me easy win.

“Rafizi or others are no exception in posing a tough challenge to me in the 13th general election,” he said in an email interview.

“They lost the election and then they are gone,” he said.

In a surprise move last week, PKR leaders had revealed at a ceramah that Rafizi (right in photo) may be chosen to content in Pandan against Ong.

Rafizi, an auditor and PKR’s strategic director, has garnered popularity for his role in exposing the alleged corruption behind the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC).

Coy about confirming speculation

Although Rafizi was coy about confirming the speculation, he let slip that he has been working the grounds for the past six months.

However, Ong said a candidate who is serious about being the people’s representative should not have waited until the “last minute”, with the election around the corner.

Ong has been touted as the BN candidate in the constituency, following his win in 2008 when only a handful of MCA candidates survived the political tsunami.

But his popularity plummeted after internal party politics saw his deputy Dr Chua Soi Lek replace him as party president.

Asked if the MCA machinery will back him in the election, despite strained ties, he said: “I made no speculation on this. The support that any candidate needs to win the seat should come from all quarters, not just within the party.

“As far as I am concerned, I choose to stay loyal to the people, and not to individual leaders of the party,” said Ong.