DAP Ong Kian Ming not contesting in GE15

KUALA LUMPUR - DAP's Bangi MP Dr Ong Kian Ming today announced that he will not contest in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).

"This was not a decision made in a hurry but was discussed since last year.

"I see it as a step to open more doors for other younger leaders in DAP to step up,” he tweeted today.

Meanwhile, The Star reported the result of the recent DAP central executive committee election is one of the reasons cited by Ong for not contesting in the GE15.

However, he said that while the party elections did play a role in his decision to take a break from frontline politics, it was not the main reason for stepping back.

"When I was first offered to be a candidate for the parliamentary seat of Serdang, my agreement with my wife was that I would serve two terms and then re-evaluate the situation.

"Coming to the end of my second term, I believe that I have served my constituency, my party and the country to the best of my abilities.

"It is now time for the younger generation in the party to take over the reins of leadership," he said in a statement.

The English newspaper reported in the recently concluded DAP party polls, Ong was among those who did not make the cut for a spot on the party's central executive committee.

Ong stressed that he was not retiring from politics but merely taking a break to regroup and recharge.

He added that he would give his full support to whoever the party named as the candidate for the Bangi seat in GE15, and he would continue to serve his constituency and the party until Parliament was dissolved.

Ong is currently a Selangor DAP Committee member for the 2021-2024 term.

He had also served as the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in 2018.