Dropping Tee Keat shows there's no place for decent people in BN - Rafizi

Rafizi Ramli, the PKR candidate for Pandan, expressed disappointment at news that former MCA president Ong Tee Keat had been dropped from contesting in the coming general election in what appeared to be a "vengeful" move against him by arch rival Chua Soi Lek.

"It is unfortunate that a man of principle like OTK was dropped from BN. This signals the end of any hope for decency from BN. I was quite hopeful that we could have a healthy contest because it could have been a showcase of a new and matured brand of politics," Rafizi, who is also the PKR strategy director, told Malaysia Chronicle. 

"Alas, there is no place for decent people in BN. We will continue to work hard and galvanize the message of change in Pandan."

Pandan bellwether: Politics of policies & ideas or politics of personalities & revenge


Soi Lek, who wrested the MCA presidency from Tee Keat in 2010 after a bitter tussle, made the announcement on Monday afternoon after receiving confirmation from Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Soi Lek had weeks ago said Tee Keat would be dropped but Najib had intervened, saying Tee Keat could contest Pandan as a direct BN candidate.

Speculation was rife that Soi Lek had then threatened to quit the MCA if Najib overruled his wishes. This despite the general feeling among political pundits that within the MCA, Tee Keat probably had the best chance to win Pandan. The 56-year-old Tee Keat is a 6-term Member of Parliament, holding the Ampang Jaya seat for 4 terms and Pandan for 2 terms.

Earlier, Rafizi had expressed hope that he would face Tee Keat. The 35-year-old Rafizi was also confident that Pandan would stand out as a "bellwether" for new politics and how seats should be contested based on ideas and policies rather than on personalities and gutter politicking.

"I think Pandan is going to be one of the more keenly contested seats this time around. It's going to be fun, I look forward to a good challenge and in that sense should the candidate from BN be Datuk Ong Tee Keat, it is going to be an honor for me to face the election because I am sure he will remain friendly and he will keep the decorum as opposed to some other candidates among the BN.

"Pandan is going to be a bellwether indication whether or not people choose change and policy platforms over and above personal popularity. I have made it very clear to Datuk Ong Tee Keat that we are going to face him on the basis of policy platforms and I am sure he will follow suit as well. So hopefully Pandan will be a key example in the country of what new politics should be.

Will Tee Keat contest as an Independent?

Tee Keat, despite his temperamental conduct which had led to his fall from grace in the MCA, is respected for having the courage to expose the RM12.5bil PKFZ financial debacle involving top MCA and Umno leaders. He will now be replaced by 39-year-old lawyer Garry Lim Chin Yee.

Two other senior MCA leaders who will be dropped from the coming election are interim Tourism minister Ng Yen Yen and Senator Gan Ping Sieu.

“I will cross the bridge when I come to it. MCA list will be judged by the people soon,” was Tee Keat's response when asked by the Malaysian Insider if he would stand as an Independent candidate.

In a statement issued to the press, Soi Lek had justified his decisions by insisting that "the ultimate goal for MCA is to ensure that Barisan Nasional will continue to form Government after the GE."

The scandal-tainted Soi Lek, who is also not contesting, called on those dropped to respect the decision and not to sabotage the MCA in the May 5 election that he described as a "do-or-die" test for the Chinese-based party.

"To those who are not being selected as candidates, I can understand your divisions’ frustration and disappointment but I sincerely hope that the Party members will place the benefit of the Party as priority and let’s show our loyalty and love to the Party, we shall stay united in facing the GE."

Source:  http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=85932%3Aby-dropping-tee-keat-it-shows-theres-no-place-for-decent-people-in-bn-rafizi&Itemid=2#.UWzbUJx1jgc.twitter