Former MCA president Ong Ka Ting, who is seeking a political comeback, plans to negotiate with president Ong Tee Kiat to urge him to withdraw from the March 28 party elections.

ong ka ting interviewd media prima 190310 02 According to 8TV Mandarin news yesterday, Ka Ting ( left ) did not rule out the possibility that he would reach an agreement with Tee Keat that one of them pull out from the presidential race, but he insisted that the "ball was not in his court".

However, Tee Keat, who is defending his post, has rejected the proposal outright, stressing that the question of "pulling out" did not arise.

He said he will not drop out of the race as that was not his style.

Tee Keat also added that though he had rejected Ka Ting's proposal, this did not mean that he was being confrontational.

H mca agm 070310 ong tee keat 04 e revealed his stand to Malaysiakini through SMS last night from Sabah, where he was meeting MCA delegates.

No running mate

Tee Keat had announced his intention on March 13 to defend his post in the upcoming party elections.

He has since taken on a low profile and adopted a soft touch in his campaign as his position is not as strong as Ka Ting's and former deputy president Chua Soi Lek's, who has yet to announce his candidature.

Tee Keat, who is transport minister, has rejected having a running mate, stressing that he was completely focused on party and ministerial matters, leaving little time for anything else.