KUALA LUMPUR: Former MCA president Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat has quit MCA, after serving the party for more than 30 years.
According to a China Press report, Ong's decision to withdraw from the party, where he once served as its 8th president, was effective Jan 2, this year.
Ong, who has been involved in politics since 1981, was a former transport minister and a Pandan member of Parliament.
He told China Press that he wanted to be an "ordinary citizen" and was "no longer suitable" for political games.
"I didn't announce my decision to quit the party, I want to be an ordinary citizen. It has been 36 years and I am no longer suitable for political games."
Ong said he would now concentrate on his business and cultural work, and also had plans to pen a book.
He said he has no plans to join any other party after this.
The 61-year-old was a five-term Ampang Jaya (Pandan) MP, but lost the seat to PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli in the 13th General Election.
Ong was appointed Transport Minister after the 2008 elections, and in October the same year, he was elected MCA president.
He contested in the party polls in 2010 to defend his presidency but was defeated by Tan Sri Chua Soi Lek.