KUALA LUMPUR: The result of the recent DAP central executive committee election is one of the reasons cited by Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming (pic) for not offering himself as a candidate in the coming 15th general election (GE15).

       However, Ong said that while the party elections did play a role in his decision to take a break from frontline politics, it was not the main reason for stepping back.

       "When I was first offered to be a candidate for the parliamentary seat of Serdang, my agreement with my wife was that I would serve two terms and then re-evaluate the situation.

       "Coming to the end of my second term, I believe that I have served my constituency, my party and the country to the best of my abilities.

       "It is now time for the younger generation in the party to take over the reins of leadership," the 46-year-old said in a statement Monday (May 9).

       In the recently concluded DAP party polls, Ong was among those who did not make the cut for a spot on the party's central executive committee.

       Ong stressed that he was not retiring from politics but merely taking a break to regroup and recharge.

       "I stand ready to serve the party and the country in the future if my services are required.

       "As for my immediate plans after GE15, I will take a much-needed break.

       "I will use the time to exercise, read and reflect on how and where I can best put the skills and knowledge which I have accumulated over the past nine years to good use," he said.

       Ong said he would give his full support to whoever the party named as the candidate for the Bangi seat in GE15.

       "In the meantime, I will continue to serve my constituency and the party until Parliament is dissolved," he said.

       Ong further expressed his full confidence in newly elected DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.

       "I urge all members and leaders of the party to show their full support for Loke and the role he will play in leading the party and Pakatan Harapan into GE15.

       "I believe that he (Loke) and the party leadership will continue to provide younger members and leaders with opportunities to serve the party in various capacities, including to be fielded as candidates in GE15," he said.

       Ong also thanked all those who had helped him carry out his duties over the past nine years.

       In a tweet early Monday (May 9) morning, the 46-year-old two-term MP said it was not a decision made in a hurry but something that had been discussed since last year.

       Ong was first elected to Parliament in 2013 during GE13, when he won the then Serdang seat.

       In GE14, Ong retained his seat, which had since been redesignated as Bangi.