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Rafizi vs Tee Keat: Catch-22 for Pandan voters
Published:  Jun 14, 2012 10:49 AM
Updated: 3:23 AM

YOURSAY 'While the urban vote is generally against BN, Ong has built up a loyal following over the years.'

Rafizi 'introduced' as PKR candidate for Pandan at rally

your say Hang Tuah PJ: Now this is a real Catch-22 situation. I live and vote in Pandan. The Chinese in Pandan will still vote Ong Tee Keat as long as he is independent and not under the MCA banner.

There were many Pandan Chinese in Bersih 3.0. The LRT was jam-packed with them. Who to vote for? They are basically ABU (Anything but Umno).

Ong is still BN-friendly. But PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli might be wasted in Pandan, unless Ong crosses over now.

Asamko: Ong should withdraw from contesting the Pandan seat. Why should you want to win a seat for MCA and Umno knowing that you are not being appreciated?

If Pakatan Rakyat takes over, it can help Ong's dreams come true.

Hussein Onn: Ong, take my advice. Stand as an independent. Everyone will support you. Rafizi will not challenge you.

You will never become boss of MCA as long as Umno is ‘taiko' in BN. Worse still, MCA will be obliterated and there is no point to be a big fish of nothing.

Ferdtan: Option 1: If Ong were to contest under MCA banner, that is a sure way to lose.

Option 2: He contests as an independent against MCA and PKR candidates. Still he will lose as the three-way fight is more likely to split BN's votes than to take away the opposition's.

Option 3: He stands under Pakatan's banner - a sure win. However, it will be a great pity for a smart young man like Rafizi Ramli to be taken away from the urban Kuala Lumpur seat.

The urbane and well-informed Chinese do not vote based on race judging from the past 2008 general election results.

For example, M Monoharan (one of the Hindraf 5 detainees) won against the incumbent, Ching Su Chen of MCA, in the Kota Alam Shah state constituency.

He won despite being locked up at the pleasure of our BN government. The composition of the voters there are majority Chinese, who represent 58.1 percent of the total voters.

Kok Wee Kiat: Both Rafizi and Ong have proven themselves to be good men. We need them both in Parliament.

KitaAkanSiasat: Looking at the response from audiences of the event on Tuesday night, I'm pretty sure Ong will lose in the next general election.

Furthermore, he lost the MCA party leader's election even against Dr Chua Soi Lek. I believe BN currently has a massive headache trying to find trustworthy and capable candidates.

I don't think they will call for election until the deadline next year.

Cempaka Voter: In this battle of the titans, the key thing to remember is to focus on the big picture.

OTK (Ong Tee Keat) is still lost in his personal battle with his MCA goons. Rafizi, on the other hand, is clearly focused on winning Putrajaya and to bring about a change of government. Until and unless OTK crosses over, he is as good as being toasted.

Although some diehard Chinese, especially those in the wet markets, are still pro-OTK, many of the educated and young Chinese are more mature and they see their future with candidates such as Rafizi instead of OTK.

Anonymous #75854042: The best strategy is to win OKT's support and blessing to give way to Rafizi as PKR candidate for Pandan.

OKT has already proven his ability as a good leader in MCA. Now that he is sidelined, OKT should not overstay his welcome.

Instead he should give Rafizi his support and campaign for him to ensure that Pandan is in opposition's hand.

OKT can still contribute to the nation in different capacity as adviser when Pakatan takes over Putrajaya.

Nambekei 7: Ong will fight the official MCA candidate, making way for Rafizi to win. I have no problem voting PAS or PKR Malay candidates but not Umno goons after 53 years of racial abuse.

Kennchan: Alas! Why put Rafizi in Pandan? Rafizi should be in Labis to kick the MCA president's son, Chua Tee Yong. Ong is a good man. Eventually he will cross over to PKR after GE13.

Anonymous #01637384: Tough choice for the voters - one who fought for PKFZ (Port Klang Free Zone) and another who fought for NFC (National Feedlot Corporation).

But as long as Ong Tee Keat does not want to leave MCA, the voters will choose Rafizi, because they want to get rid of MCA. They may like OTK, but they dislike MCA more.

AnonymousA: If we want to oust BN, then for God's sake, vote Ong out, no matter how good he is.

I hope the Chinese in Pandan will be resolute in their decision to end BN.

Ong is putting himself first before the people. He knows he cannot do much in BN yet he still wants to stick to it. Why? Ask him!


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