Friday, July 25, 2008

FRIDAY 25 JULY 2008- PENAMPANG MCA DIVISION SUPPORTS ONG

Penampang MCA Division supports Ong

KOTA KINABALU:

Penampang MCA Division, including its Wanita and Youth movements, has unanimously supported arty Vice President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat’s bid to contest for the Presidency. Its Divisional Leader, Datuk Paul Kong, said Ong’s vast experience in politics makes m the best choice to lead the second largest Barisan Nasional component party. The stand was made during a divisional meeting on Tuesday after party nominations losed and the Penampang MCA divisional line-up returned unopposed. According to Kong, Ong is the best choice because with his experience he can lead MCA to greater heights. “Datuk Ong has done so much for MCA and we want to work with him for the betterment of the Party,” he said. Kong, the PenampangMCA Divisional Chief since 1999, retained his post unopposed. He said the division is the first one in Sabah to publicly support Ong. Meanwhile, a MCA official said in Johor Baharu that the so-called elders in the Party have the right to contest in the Party elections, just like other members. There is nothing alarming therefore that the likes of Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, who won the Batu Pahat MCA division Chief’s post uncontested and Datuk Chua Jui Meng, who is in the fight for the Bakri Division Chief’s post, are back in the fray. “As MCA members they have the right to contest and what the two Datuk Chuas are doing, is merely exercising their democratic rights. “Nobody can stop them from contesting any post as long as they are eligible,” said Johor MCA Secretary Hoo Seong Chang who won the Sembrong division Chiefs post uncontested. Dr Chua and Chua are former Health Ministers. On the divisional elections on Sunday, Hoo, who is the State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Domestic Trade, reminded members of the guidelines to follow. “What I want to see Is a healthy contest. Elections are part of the democratic and renewal process and all political parties have to undergo that. “The most important thing is to have trouble-free elections and I believe MCA members are matured enough to protect the Party’s image,” said Hoo.