I read with interest Sim Kwang Yang's excellent column speculating on the possibility that MCA president Ong Ka Ting will contest in Bukit Bintang, a DAP stronghold in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

I hope that I'm not jumping the gun by adding some of my thoughts on this issue, with the help of past election results.

Mention Bukit Bintang and most people will think of Sungai Wang, shopping malls, nights spots, Chinese hawkers and good eating places. Mention the parliamentary seat of Bukit Bintang to the casual political observer and the immediate response would that this is a DAP stronghold.

Indeed, these impressions are largely accurate, with some important caveats.