Former MCA president Ong Tee Keat reiterated today that he will defend his Pandan parliamentary seat in the next general election, whether MCA, or the BN, approves of his candidacy or otherwise.

"I have made my unequivocal stance that I will certainly contest the Pandan parliamentary seat come the next general election, with or without the MCA or BN endorsement of my candidacy.

NONE "This is my pledge to the people and it stands unchanged and unwavering, though certain media have been testing my consistency on the matter over the past few months," Ong ( left ) said.

He also launched a broadside against MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, accusing his successor of only considering loyalists as candidates for the party in the coming general election.

"What remains unreported is the tacit elbowing and the carrots dangled to lure aspirants to swear allegiance to the Chua leadership.

"To me, such gimmicks could perhaps help to strengthen Chua's grip on the party, but I doubt it can ever be productive in winning the hearts and minds of the people," Ong said.

'MCA sources driving wedge against me and allies'

He also accused certain parties within the MCA of attempting to sour his relationship with his allies, scathingly implicating Chua as well in this.

NONE "Of late, the MCA ‘sources' have again been at work, deliberately rekindling the speculation of MCA's choice of candidate for Pandan. Names such as Cindy Leong and Heng Seai Kie, who are deemed friendly to me, have been mentioned, conceivably aimed at driving wedge between me and the personalities implicated.

"Again, I remain least perturbed. Perhaps, such moves are more suitable for Chua's own self-amusement," Ong said.

The former MCA chief was involved in a protracted power struggle with Chua ( above ), who was then his deputy, culminating with Chua's expulsion from the party based on the premise that a video tape on Chua having sex, which had been widely circulated, had damaged the party's image.

However in 2009, Chua's supporters successfully reinstated him as deputy and Chua went on to oust Ong the following year, after the party's central committee resigned en masse, triggering an extraordinary general meeting.

Ong has since kept out of the party's internal politics, choosing instead to focus on his constituency.