Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen wants to defend the Raub parliamentary seat that she has been serving for three terms, saying she can use her ministerial position to serve the people.

"In order to improve Raub and develop it as tourist spot, I hope I can stay in Raub.

NONE "If I give up, Raub may not have another minister... MCA has only four ministers, and one of the ministers is supposed to be from Johor.

"I am in the third position in MCA, that's why I became a minister," Ng was quoted as saying in Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Daily.

An earlier report by Nanyang Siang Pau said Pahang MCA deputy chairperson Ho Khai Mun might replace Ng in Raub.

Owing to her position in the MCA, she said, she could become a minister "wherever I contest".

Ng was re-elected as Raub MP in 2008, defeating Abu Bakar Lebai Sudin of the DAP. She garnered 18,078 votes against the 15,326 obtained by Abu Bakar.

However, the Raub MP suffered a significant reduced majority, from the 9,822-vote majority she obtained in the 2004 general election to just a 2,752-vote majority in 2008.