FORMER deputy international trade and industry minister Dr Ong Kian Ming has decided not to contest in the next general election.

In a statement sent out this morning, the Bangi MP said although he will be taking a break by not offering himself as a candidate for the 15th general election (GE15), he is not retiring from politics.

“I am not retiring from politics but merely taking a break to regroup and recharge. I stand ready to serve the party and the country in the future if my services are required.

“As for my immediate plans after GE15, I will take a much-needed break and spend some time to exercise, read and reflect on how and where I can best put the skills and knowledge that I have accumulated over the past nine years to good use,” said the 46-year-old DAP leader.

Ong said while the recent party elections influenced his decision to take a break, it was, however, not the main reason for his decision not to contest in GE15.

“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 out two terms and then re-evaluate the situation.

“Coming to the end of my second term, I believe 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,” said Ong.

Ong, together with several DAP stalwarts such as P. Ramasamy, Tony Pua and Yeo Bee Yin, had failed to make the cut for the 30-member DAP central executive committee during the elections in March.

“In the meantime, I have full confidence in the leadership of Anthony Loke as the new DAP secretary-general and I urge all members and leaders of the party to show him their full support.

“I promise to fully back whoever the party names as the candidate for P102 Bangi in GE15. In the meantime, I will continue to serve my constituency and the party until Parliament is dissolved,” said the DAP election strategist.

A former academic and political analyst, Ong joined DAP after returning from the United States and was elected the Serdang MP in 2013 and 2018.

The Serdang parliamentary seat was renamed to Bangi after a re-delineation exercise in 2018 and is one of the biggest constituencies in the country. – May 9, 2022.