This is not about the masked cowboy vigilante with a native American sidekick. This is about a politician hoping to make a comeback in the upcoming MCA presidential shootout.

In an interview with Malaysiakini and KiniTV, Ong Tee Keat, who earned the nickname ‘Lone Ranger' because of his propensity to work alone, decries he is a victim of political mudslinging.

NONE"I appreciate the numerous websites formed for this party polls, they are busy accusing me everyday," he said sarcastically.

However, he prefers not to entertain the accusations, published both in the mainstream media and various fly-by-night websites, which have mushroomed in the run-up to next weekend's party polls.

According to Ong, responding to the accusations is akin to "wrestling a pig", which will leave him mud-stained even if he wins.

Come Dec 21, Ong will be embroiled in a three-cornered tussle with deputy president Liow Tiong Lai and vice-president Gan Ping Sieu for the top post.

Besides launching ‘The New Ong Tee Keat' as his slogan, Ong also made the surprising gesture of bowing at his press conference last month as a show of humility, and urged central delegates to give him another chance to reform MCA.

NONEAsked if the bow was to earn sympathy, Ong denied this, blaming the websites for interpreting it as such.

"Previously, I responded to every single thing (from these critics), but now I'm too lazy to do so," he added.

He nevertheless expressed disappointment with the media speculation that he would backtrack on his candidacy for the president's post.

On Tuesday, Ong stressed that he was willing to "behead a chicken" to show his seriousness for the post. ‘Beheading a chicken' is a Chinese traditional way of showing one's determination.

Low-key campaign

Ong was ousted in an extraordinary general meeting held in October 2009, after the central delegates cast a vote of no-confidence against him.

Asked what has changed since then, the former transport minister said he has learnt how to listen to the public patiently, including the minority, as well as to survive during hardship.

To garner central delegates' support, Ong said he has traveled around to meet them in a low- profile manner, minus the media presence.

He explained that it was done in a small scale so as to allow for heart-to-heart meetings with central delegates.

Being a lone ranger in the party, Ong is said to be trailing behind Liow and Gan in terms of support.

But Ong claimed that it is public support which convinced him to attempt a comeback.

Furthermore, he said there is a gap between the public and party since MCA leaders are elected exclusively by the central delegates.

"Unless the country follows totalitarianism, MCA and other political parties should take public will into consideration as well (when choosing their leaders)," he added.