opinion Vice-president Ong Tee Keat who was handpicked by out-going party president Ong Ka Ting to run for the top post may be flying into some serious air turbulence this week despite a smooth campaign take-off more than a month ago.

Party watchers are staying alert on the sidelines, predicting a dip in popularity ratings of the 52-year old presidential candidate against his much older arch rival Chua Jui Meng, whose political comeback has been viewed with much scepticism within the party ranks.