FORMER MCA president Ong Tee Keat and maverick opposition lawmaker Wee Choo Keong are among 26 candidates to be fielded by Parti Warisan Sabah in the peninsula in the coming 15th general election.

Ong had debuted in the Ampang parliamentary seat in 1989 went on to subsequently contest and defend the Pandan seat from 2004 to 2013.

Wee on the other hand cut his teeth in parliament first as the DAP Bukit Bintang MP but was later expelled by the party in 1998.

He returned in 2008 as a lawmaker after winning the Wangsa Maju seat but left after differences with the PKR leadership.

Ong will stand in Pandan, while Wee will contest in Wangsa Maju.

Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal, in announcing Ong’s candidacy, said the former transport minister had joined the party today.

Ong said voters should know they had a choice to vote for a party that does not base itself around racial or religious issues.

“I have always admired and wanted to emulate the Bornean culture where people of all races can live together peacefully.

“If they can do it, why can’t we in Peninsular Malaysia do the same?” he was quoted as saying after being unveiled as a candidate.

He said his return was also brought about by the situation in the country and Shafie’s urging.

Shafie also announced that Warisan Selangor and KL deputy chairman, Bryan Lai Wai Chong, will be fielded in the Ampang parliamentary seat.

Lai was DAP’s former Teratai assemblyman.

Wee said he had a proven track record in fighting for justice and making ministers and corporate leaders accountable for their actions.

“The voices in Wangsa Maju will not only be heard in parliament but I will follow through with affirmative and positive actions. I have experience in performing my duties as MP, hence I have proven my capability to serve the people. We need a mixture of experience and idealism so that we can get on with the job immediately.

“The urgent thing on the plate is the cost of living, maintaining of basic infrastructures like roads, proper upkeep of low-cost housing, and security in Wangsa Maju and to make Malaysia a leading force in the world,” he said. – November 1, 2022.