KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 27): Political analyst Ong Kian Ming on Monday announced his decision to join the DAP, saying the time has come for him to move into active politics to “help bring change to Malaysia”.

"I believe that our country is at a critical juncture in its history where for the first time since achieving our independence, we have a credible and strong opposition capable of governing at the federal level," said the 37-year-old Cambridge graduate.

Ong, who is also a lecturer at the UCSI University here, said that his choice of political party was easy because DAP’s position on major national issues was consistent with his.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng introduced Ong and another Cambridge graduate, Yeo Bee Hin, 29, as new recruits at a press conference at  the party headquarters.

Lim expressed confidence that the two new members would bring fresh insights to boost DAP’s election strategy.

On why he thought this was a good time to enter politics, Ong said: "Things seem to be getting worse for the country as a desperate regime clings to power, seemingly at all costs."

"The time for sitting on the academic sidelines and commentating as analyst is over," he added.

Referring to the transformation programmes rolled out by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Ong said: “According to my analysis on the Economic Transformation Programme, Government Transformation Programme and electoral reform, I found that many of (these programmes) are a lot of publicity and very little substance."

Yeo, a social media business owner, said she too chose to join politics because of her love for Malaysia and the desire to make it a better place.

"I've met so many young and bright Malaysians who left home for better opportunities abroad. If all these continue, we'll soon reach a point of no return," she said.

Yeo hopes to help DAP reach out to the young on the Internet with her social media expertise, saying their support was critical in the next general election.

"I believe strongly that the social media will add a completely different dimension to political campaigning in the very near future," she added.