Wong Ho Leng
黄和联
Opposition leader of Sarawak State Assembly
In office
23 May 2006[1] – 10 June 2013
Preceded byPost created
Succeeded byChong Chieng Jen
Chairman of Sarawak Democratic Action Party
In office
February 2001 – 10 June 2013
Preceded byJason Wong Sing Nang
Succeeded byChong Chieng Jen
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Sibu
In office
16 May 2010 – 5 May 2013
Preceded byRobert Lau Hoi Chew (SUPP-BN)
Succeeded byOscar Ling Chai Yew (DAP-PR)
Majority398 (2010)
Member of the Sarawak State Assembly
for Bukit Assek
In office
20 May 2006 – 21 June 2014
Preceded byDaniel Ngieng Kiong Ann (SUPP-BN)
Majority4751 (2006)
8827 (2011)
In office
8 September 1996 – 27 September 2001
Preceded byWong Soon Kai (SUPP-BN)
Succeeded byDaniel Ngieng Kiong Ann (SUPP-BN)
Majority226 (1996)
Personal details
Born(1959-12-21)21 December 1959
Sibu, Crown Colony of Sarawak
Died21 June 2014(2014-06-21) (aged 54)
Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia
CitizenshipMalaysian
Political partyDemocratic Action Party (DAP) – Pakatan Rakyat
SpouseIrene Chang (郑爱鸰)
Children5
Residence(s)Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionLawyer
Websiteholeng.dapsarawak.com

Wong Ho Leng (simplified Chinese: 黄和联; traditional Chinese: 黃和聯; pinyin: Huáng Hélián; 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[15]
Year Constituency Candidate Votes Pct Opponent(s) Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
1986 P175 Lambir Wong Ho Leng (DAP) 10,380 35.84% Peter Chin Fah Kui (SUPP) 15,933 55.01% 29,486 5,553 60.06%
Abang Ismail Abang Peel (IND) 2,651 9.15%
1995 P184 Sibu Wong Ho Leng (DAP) 10,472 39.18% Robert Lau Hoi Chew (SUPP) 15,317 57.31% 27,316 4,845 69.39%
Narawi Haron (IND) 937 3.51%
1999 P184 Lanang Wong Ho Leng (DAP) 9,466 36.80% Tiong Thai King (SUPP) 16,256 63.20% 26,084 6,790 68.32%
2004 P211 Sibu Wong Ho Leng (DAP) 17,161 45.57% Robert Lau Hoi Chew (SUPP) 20,501 54.43% 38,216 3,340 62.82%
2008 P212 Sibu Wong Ho Leng (DAP) 15,746 44.36% Robert Lau Hoi Chew (SUPP) 19,138 53.38% 36,379 3,235 67.77%
Lim Chin Chuang (PKR) 812 2.26%
2010 Wong Ho Leng (DAP) 18,845 50.22% Robert Lau Hui Yew (SUPP) 18,447 49.16% 38,111 398 69.68%
Narawi Haron (IND) 232 0.62%
Sarawak State Legislative Assembly[16]
Year Constituency Candidate Votes Pct Opponent(s) Votes Pct Ballots Cast Majority Turnout
1987 N44 Miri Wong Ho Leng (DAP) 6,079 29.8% George Chan Hong Nam (SUPP) 14,352 70.2% 20,585 8,273 64.76%
1996 N39 Bukit Assek Wong Ho Leng (DAP) 5,856 50.98% Wong Soon Kai (SUPP) 5,630 49.02% 11,591 226 63.30%
2001 Wong Ho Leng (DAP) 5,414 46.26% Daniel Ngieng Kiong Ann (SUPP) 6,289 53.74% 11,767 875 66.08%
2006 N45 Bukit Assek Wong Ho Leng (DAP) 10,380 64.84% Daniel Ngieng Kiong Ann (SUPP) 5,629 35.16% 16,099 4,751 61.91%
2011 Wong Ho Leng (DAP) 13,527 73.49% Chieng Buong Toon (SUPP) 4,700 25.53% 18,518 8,827 68.77%
Hii Tiong Huat (IND) 180 0.98%

Publications

Posthumous Publication

Last Writings was a diary written by Wong himself when he was diagnosed with a brain cancer on December 21, 2012. The book was written as he wanted to share his thoughts, fears, struggles and his determination to fight cancer with people of Sarawak especially Sibu. However, the book’s entry was only up till October 2, 2013 as Wong had lost his sense of coordination and balance on September 18, 2013. Last Writings is available in both English and Mandarin Version. [17]

  • Last Writings (2021) ISBN 978-967-19903-0-8

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. 1 2 "Bukit Assek Assemblyman Wong Ho Leng passes away". The Borneo Post. 22 June 2014. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  4. 1 2 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. Archived from the original on 6 September 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2010. Percentage figures based on total turnout, including votes for third parties. Results before 1986 election unavailable.
  16. ↑ "Official Website of Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN)". duns.sarawak.gov.my. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  17. ↑ "'Last Writings' by late Bukit Assek rep up for pre-order today". Borneo Post Online. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
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