Kian Ming leaves DAP to help KJ

Ong Kian Ming has left DAP, but said his departure does not signal an immediate move to another party or a return to electoral politics. The former Bangi lawmaker said he had no intention of contesting Malaysia’s 16th general election.

Instead, Ong said he would honor a promise made on Jan. 10, 2026, to help former UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin campaign in the next election if Khairy is given a seat to contest. The decision places Ong outside a party structure while keeping him involved in the political future of a prominent former rival of DAP.

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I do not plan to join any other political party in the near future and I do not intend to stand as a candidate in the next general election.

Ong said he would continue serving the country through other channels, including his podcast, “Are We OK,” his advisory positions and cooperation with people who share his interests. He said he had informed DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke Siew Fook of his resignation.

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I remain committed to fulfilling the promise I made on Jan. 10, 2026, to help Khairy Jamaluddin campaign in the 16th general election, if he is given a seat to contest.

He also pointed to his previous contributions since joining DAP in 2012. He served as the member of Parliament for Serdang from 2013 to 2018 and Bangi from 2018 to 2022, and held the post of deputy minister for international trade and industry from 2018 to 2020. He was also an appointed member of DAP’s Central Executive Committee and an elected member of the party’s Selangor state committee.

Ong thanked Tony Pua for inviting him to join DAP and for guiding him on how to serve the party and country. His political research had also projected a dominant Barisan Nasional victory in Johor, with 53 of 56 state seats, and a BN-Perikatan Nasional win of 23 to 25 seats in Negeri Sembilan.

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I will continue to serve the interests of the country through other means, including through my podcast ‘Are We OK,’ my various advisory positions and by working with others who share the same mindset and interests.