Sarawak DAP now target state polls

Written by: FMT Staff | Free Malaysia Today

Lawyer Wong Ho Leng who raised Sarawak DAP from being at "rock bottom" in 2001 to victorious in 13 years, will retire on June 9.

Sibu: Barely a week since the contentious outcome of the 13th general election,  Sarawak opposition is already preparing itself for the next battle – the state elections scheduled to be held by 2016.

Outgoing state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng said the party had done well to retain and wrest the seats it had contested in the May 5 parliamentary polls and would now move to improve their reach.

“The dust has settled, but the party will  start gearing up for the next state election which might be held in two years, “ he said.

Wong, who took over the reign of the party in 2001 when party morale was at “rock bottom” after they struggled in the state elections that year, said DAP had “come a long way” since.

“But today, 13 years later, Sarawak DAP has five parliamentarians and 12 assemblymen,” he told reporters after a Mothers’ Day programme here yesterday.

In the recent parliamentary polls, DAP won five seats – Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Lanang, Sarikei, Sibu  – while PKR secured one, Miri through Dr Micheal Teo.

The party contributed to the national DAP tally of 38 seats making it the single biggest opposition party in parliament now.

Wong, often described as the ‘lion’ added Sibu to DAP’s cart after he wrested the Barisan Nasional stronghold  in a by-election in May 2010. He won the seat by 398 votes.

In the May 5 parliamentary polls, Wong did not defend his seat due to medical reasons.

Instead the party fielded Oscar Ling who went on retain the seat by beating BN’s Vincent Lau. Ling polled  28,808 votes against Lau’s 23,967 votes. A third independent secured 203 votes.

‘Lion’ Wong retiring

In the 2011 state election, Wong led the charge for DAP and the party made historic inroads in Sarawak by winning 12 out of the 15 seats it contested.

Wong, who is Bukit Assek assemblyman, immediately announced that the party would work towards expanding its reach in tandem with political observations that indicated a swing favouring opposition Pakatan Rakyat in the mixed and rural seats.

A now satisfied Wong has decided to retire from politics.

He said his decision was prompted by the brain tumour he is struggling with.

“I have decided to let go of this position (state DAP chairman) because the responsibilities which come with the position are big ones.

“I know I cannot fully perform this duty now. I need to let another leader take over,” said Wong who is a lawyer by profession.

Asked if he had identified a successor, he said the new leader will be elected based on party procedures.

He said the party had a capable leader and it will be made known at the state delegates conference on June 9.