Ong Tee Keat: One of our rare values based politician
We are very happy to report that Malaysia has produced one more values based politician.
Ong Tee Keat of MCA, now Transport Minister has demonstrated the importance of values in the hazardous job of a politician. OTK has been censured before by an UMNO leader for his frank comments. Even the MCA President was scolded as Ong Ka Ting stood up to defend the same values. At the end of the day however, party lines submitted to government Ministrial line of authority (this is another subject matter on government).
The Ongs:
We are also proud that OTK is one of the very few to declare frankly his stand and moral values on climbing the political ladder. May we add, it reminds us of days of long ago where heroes have clear principles and values that made human history so uplifting and magnanimous.
Consider OTK’s response as a reporter asked him on whether he will be going for the post of deputy president in MCA:
“A television reporter has repeatedly asked me this hypothetical question – assuming there is a vacancy for the post. My answer is that if at all there is a vacancy, any eligible candidate, including me, has the right to contest. I must also say here that I will only consider contesting the post of deputy president on three conditions, meaning that:
1. I have enough support from the ground,
2. the aptitude to deliver in the post, and
3. the ability to bring positive impact to the party.
I contest not because I want the position at all cost.“
Well said.
If only all contestants for any party leadership posts will only adhere to 1, 2 and 3. So far, we have heard nothing on this from people who are now making lot of scolding noises in the aftermath of GE12.


True, I heard him speak once (& it was in Cantonese). He’s respected even by those in opposite camps.
I agree Ong Tee Keat is a rare values based politician.He has courageously taken that quantum leap on numerous occasions on issues in the interest of the Chinese community and Nation ….issues that most of our MCA leaders shy away from.
Recently his statement that MCA shld consider moving towards a multiracial party.Our MCA SecGen the next day declared “No”.I would have thought that at this time and age it wld be prudent to allow our community and members to brainstorm and debate on such an impt contemporary issue.I believe the SecGen cannot unilaterally slam the door on a discourse on this progression of reinventing MCA.We have allowed people of mixed Chinese parentage into our fold.Multiracialism in MCA will be the next logical progression of this move forward.
Next is OT Keat’s statement on ‘ketuanan Melayu’.We must grant him our undivided support.Raja Nazrin speaking at the launching of the book..The Reluctant Politician-Tun Dr Ismail’ said,interalia at page 123 ,.”Tun Dr Ismail was a statesman…who envisaged a Malaysia for ALL without colour lines,without ethnic borders and without any group feeling a sense of inferiority”.
I believe OT Keat hit the nail on the head.The perception and utterance of this ‘tuan-hamba’term must stop.MCA leadership must come forward and make a stand…it is time to demonstrate whether you have got what in takes to be in leadership to make MCA relevent in the light of the contemporary issues impinging our community and Nation after the MCA debacle at the 12th General Elections.
Let the debate begin.
Tan Foong Luen.
Seremban.
Dear Foong Luen,
Appreciate your frank comment.
Do feel free to write us about your feelings about the coming MCA party election, the candidates and future for MCA with the potential candidates as President.
We await anxiously.
Thank you.
It seems to me that Ong Ka Chuan & Tee Keat are posturing for the top post. Now, that is not a bad thing as we will see whether the man with the better idea & leadership quality will win. They are focusing on the party elections & are trying to win members support. Being a party for a single race, they’re trying to appeal to the members desire by what they say publicly.
Personally, my support is for Tee Keat.