PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday asked all quarters not to speculate on the decision by MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and his deputy Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy not to defend their posts in the party elections in October.

The two leaders had made their decision and “MCA knows better on what to do and what is allowed to be done in the party”, said Abdullah, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, when asked to comment on the announcement by Ong and Chan that they would not seek re-election for their posts.

“I believe MCA wants to continue to serve and to contribute to the people and the country and also the community it represents and work with BN, Umno and other component parties.

“So, there is no need for us to make assumptions this and that … they’re irrelevant … let them decide. I am sure they want MCA to go on and to be a good partner in the BN,” he told reporters after launching the ‘Putrajaya Residents’ Green Earth Programme With The Prime Minister’ yesterday.

Abdullah said Ong had indicated his decision to him earlier.

“Any change can happen. I think there is nothing if we take care of our party, have close ties with the other parties and understand we have programmes to implement,” he said.

“The newspapers should not speculate this and that,” he added.

— Bernama