Ong Kian Ming leaves DAP and pledges to help Khairy in 16th general election

Ong Kian Ming has left Malaysia’s Democratic Action Party, but says he is not preparing to join another political organization or seek office in the next general election.

The former international trade and industry deputy minister said his resignation took effect immediately. He said he had informed DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke in a resignation letter.

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

Ong also reaffirmed a commitment he made on Jan. 10, 2026: to help former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin campaign in the 16th general election if Khairy is given a seat to contest. Ong said he would continue serving the country through other channels, including his podcast, advisory roles and cooperation with like-minded people.

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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 expressed gratitude for his years in the party, which he joined in 2012. Ong served as member of Parliament for Serdang from 2013 to 2018 and Bangi from 2018 to 2022. He later served as deputy minister from 2018 to 2020, as an appointed member of the DAP Central Executive Committee from 2019 to 2022 and on the elected DAP Selangor state committee from 2018 to 2024.

Ong specifically thanked Tony Pua for inviting him to join DAP and Lim Guan Eng for giving him opportunities to contest parliamentary seats and serve as a deputy minister.

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I will continue to serve the interests of the country in other ways, including through my podcast, ‘Are We OK’, through my various advisory roles and by working with other like-minded people with similar interests.