Ong keluar parti kehilangan besar buat DAP, kata Ramasamy

PETALING JAYA: Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming's decision to leave DAP has been identified by Urimai P Ramasamy, the party's Urimai P Ramasamy, as a significant loss for the party. Ramasamy noted that Ong was a key figure in the party, particularly in election preparations and electoral trend analysis. The background of the former two-term MP in political science became a major asset for DAP's election strategy.

However, Ramasamy added that Ong's independent thinking saw a changing future for the party, different from its top leadership, which is why he was not nominated in PRU15. In DAP's culture of adaptability, it is clear that he was not suitable for the role of a party loyalist, according to Ramasamy's Facebook post. He is one of the early figures to notice the decline in support for DAP among the Indian community due to the party's weakening and removal of Indian leaders.

Ong's departure marks a significant loss for DAP, which comes at a time when the party, after bowing to Malay dominance, appears to lack a clear vision for its political establishment based on honor and self-respect. Ramasamy, who is also a former deputy leader of DAP Penang, added that Ong remains respected outside the DAP circle.

He announced his resignation from DAP today after about 14 years with the party. He claimed he has no intention of joining another party or contesting in the upcoming PRU, but will help Khairy Jamaluddin, the former Umno Youth chief, in his campaign for PRU16. Ong previously served as Serdang MP from 2013 to 2018 and Bangi MP from 2018 to 2022.

He also held the position of deputy minister for international trade and industry from 2018 to 2020.