Wong Ho Leng

Wong Ho Leng
黄和联
Opposition leader of Sarawak State Assembly
In office 23 May 2006[1] – 10 June 2013
Preceded by	Post created
Succeeded by	Chong Chieng Jen
Chairman of Sarawak Democratic Action Party
In office February 2001 – 10 June 2013
Preceded by	Jason Wong Sing Nang
Succeeded by	Chong Chieng Jen
Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Sibu
In office 16 May 2010 – 5 May 2013
Preceded by	Robert Lau Hoi Chew (SUPP-BN)
Succeeded by	Oscar Ling Chai Yew (DAP-PR)
Majority	398 (2010)
Member of the Sarawak State Assembly for Bukit Assek
In office 20 May 2006 – 21 June 2014
Preceded by	Daniel Ngieng Kiong Ann (SUPP-BN)
Majority	4751 (2006) 8827 (2011)
In office 8 September 1996 – 27 September 2001
Preceded by	Wong Soon Kai (SUPP-BN)
Succeeded by	Daniel Ngieng Kiong Ann (SUPP-BN)
Majority	226 (1996)
Personal details
Born	21 December 1959 Sibu, Crown Colony of Sarawak
Died	21 June 2014 (aged 54) Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia
Citizenship	Malaysian
Political party	Democratic Action Party (DAP) – Pakatan Rakyat
Spouse(s)	Irene Chang (郑爱鸰)
Children	5
Residence	Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Lawyer
Religion	Methodism
Website	holeng.dapsarawak.com

Wong Ho Leng (simplified Chinese: 黄和联; traditional Chinese: 黃和聯; pinyin: Huáng Hé Lián; 21 December 1959 – 21 June 2014) was a Malaysian politician. He was the opposition leader of the Sarawak State Assembly from May 2006 to June 2013. He was also the state chairman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) from 2001 until 10 June 2013.^[2] He was the Member of the State Legislative Assembly of Sarawak for the seat of Bukit Assek until his death on 21 June 2014.^[3]

Political career

Wong Ho Leng joined DAP on 19 April 1986.^[4] He made a stir in the Sarawak politics in 1996 state election when he defeated the Sarawak United Peoples' Party president and deputy chief minister of Sarawak Tan Sri Dr.Wong Soon Kai by a slim majority of 226 votes in the Bukit Assek constituency. He was subsequently defeated by Daniel Ngieng in 2001 state election, but wrested the same constituency back in 2006 state election.^[5]

Wong contested against the Barisan Nasional's Tiong Thai King in 1999 in the Lanang Parliamentary constituency but lost in that election. On 16 May 2010, he was elected to Parliament in the Sibu by-election. His victory saw the DAP wrest the seat from Barisan Nasional.^[6][7] He was the DAP candidate for Sibu in the 1995, 2004 and 2008 elections, but was defeated by Barisan Nasional's Robert Lau Hoi Chew on each occasion.^[8]

In 2011 state election, he successfully defended his constituency against Chieng Buong Toon of Sarawak United People's Party and independent candidate Hii Tiong Huat, with a huge majority of 8,827 votes,thus breaking the so-called the "Rhythm of the Pendulum", which was a hot topic among the politicians from both sides prior to the elections.^[9]

Suspension from state assembly

In May 2009, Wong Ho Leng was suspended from the state assembly for 1 year due to his "camouflage" remark against the Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh. The speaker, Datuk Seri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, cited Section 14 (1) of the State Legislative Assembly (Privileges & Powers) Ordinance 2007 for the suspension after 60 Barisan Nasional assemblypersons voted in favour for Wong's suspension.^[10]

Health

On 12 January 2013, Wong announced that he has been diagnosed of brain tumour (glioma) on his brain stem, which was responsible for the slurring of his speech and impaired swallowing function.^[11] He had undergone six-weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in Singapore. On 23 February, he announced that he would not defend for the Sibu parliamentary seat in 2013 Malaysian general elections on doctors' advice.^[12] He went into a coma on 2 May 2014 but never woke up from it.^[13] On 17 May, the Sarawak government had approved RM 1 million to pay for Ho Leng's medical expenses.^[14]

Death

He died on 21 June 2014 at Rejang Medical Centre, Sibu after a year-and-a-half struggle with brain cancer.^[3] His funeral service was held at Hwai Ang Methodist church and his remains were buried at Methodist Cemetery, Sibu.^[4]

Election results

Parliament of Malaysia: Miri, Sarawak^[15]

Year	Government		Votes	Pct	Opposition		Votes	Pct
1986		Peter Chin Fah Kui (SUPP)	15,933	55%		Wong Ho Leng (DAP)	10,380	35%

Parliament of Malaysia: Lanang, Sarawak^[15]

Year	Government		Votes	Pct	Opposition		Votes	Pct
1999		Tiong Thai King (SUPP)	16,256	63%		Wong Ho Leng (DAP)	9,466	37%

Parliament of Malaysia: Sibu, Sarawak

Year	Opposition		Votes	Pct	Government		Votes	Pct
2008		Wong Ho Leng (DAP)	15,746	43.92%		Robert Lau Hoi Chew (SUPP)	19,138	53.38%
2010		Wong Ho Leng (DAP)	18,845	50%		Robert Lau Hui Yew (SUPP)	18,447	49%

References

1. Kit Siang, Lim (23 May 2006). "Sarawak should aim to be the No. 1 in State Assembly reform and modernization in the country by giving official recognition to the position of Opposition Leader and establishment of all-party Select Committees". Lim Kit Siang Media statement (Democratic Action Party). Retrieved 26 June 2014.
2. "Chong Chieng Jen new state DAP chairman". The Borneo Post. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
3. "Bukit Assek Assemblyman Wong Ho Leng passes away". The Borneo Post. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
4. Banji, Conny (25 June 2014). "Ho Leng laid to rest a Methodist Cemetery". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
5. Ting, Alan (14 April 2010). "Sibu By-Election To See "Battle of the Mighty Rejang"". Bernama (Bernama). Retrieved 4 June 2010.
6. "Official result: DAP wins by 398-vote majority". The Star (Star Publications (Malaysia)). 16 May 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
7. "Sarawak DAP Chairman Wong Ho Leng Picked By Opposition To Contest Sibu Seat". Bernama. 27 April 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
8. "SUPP United in Facing Sibu By-election". Bernama. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
9. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=123332 "Rhythm of the Pendulum finally broken", The Borneo Post, 19 April 2011.
10. Shashi Kala (13 May 2009). "S'wak state assembly suspends DAP rep". The Nut Graph. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
11. Hii, Philip (12 January 2013). "Sibu MP Wong Ho Leng: I have brain tumour". The Star. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
12. Hii, Philip (23 February 2013). "Sibu MP not contesting in GE13". The Star. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
13. Chua, Andy (2 May 2014). "Bukit Assek assemblyman Wong Ho Leng in coma". The Star. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
14. "DAP thanks Sarawak state government for helping to pay Ho Leng's bill". The Star. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
15. "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri". Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 24 June 2010. Percentage figures based on total turnout, including votes for third parties. Results before 1986 election unavailable.