Ong’s exit a major loss for DAP, says Ramasamy

Urimai Chairman P Ramasamy believes that Ong Kian Ming's departure from DAP is a significant loss for the party, particularly as it struggles to find its political footing. Ramasamy highlighted Ong's importance in DAP, especially in election preparations and analyzing voting trends. As an academic in political science, Ong was a valuable asset to the party's election strategies.

However, Ramasamy noted that Ong's growing divergence from the party's leadership led to his decision not to contest in the 2022 general election, as he perceived DAP's future differently.

Ramasamy pointed out that Ong was among the first to recognize the decline in Indian support for DAP due to the party's marginalization and purging of Indian leaders. Despite this, Ong's departure marks a substantial loss for DAP as it appears to be under the influence of Malay hegemony and lacks direction in establishing an independent political identity based on dignity and pride.

Ramasamy, a former Penang DAP deputy chairman, stated that Ong remains respected outside DAP's circles. Ong resigned from the party after 14 years and has no plans to join another party or run in the upcoming general election, although he will assist former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin in his campaign for the 2018 election.