Chong (centre), flanked by Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong (left) and Batu Kawa assemblywoman Christina Chiew at the DAP headquarters yesterday.
KUCHING: State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen expressed his sincere gratitude to the state government for footing part of the medical bill for DAP Bukit Assek assemblyman Richard Wong Ho Leng.
Speaking to reporters at the DAP headquarters here yesterday, he also said the gesture was greatly appreciated by Wong’s family.
“However I am not at liberty to disclose the cost of the medical expenses,” said Chong, who is also Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman.
Under the state’s directive, every member of parliament and state representative is eligible for free medical service and medicine at Normah Medical Specialist Centre in Petra Jaya.
The medical fees, he said, would be borne by the state government.
“Due to the fact that he (Wong) is receiving medical treatment in Singapore, the state government is providing this aid based on humanitarian grounds as Wong has contributed a lot to Sarawak,” he added.
Diagnosed with brain tumour in 2012, Wong relinquished his post as state DAP chairman and is currently on medical leave from sittings of the State Legislative Assembly.
Meanwhile, Chong urged those participating in the DAP signature campaign to return the forms to the DAP headquarters on April 29 for the final tally.
As of April 25, a total of 96,000 signatures had been collected to petition the reduction of electricity tariff in the state by 30 per cent as Sarawak is capable of producing cheap electricity from hydroelectric dams.
“We are optimistic that we will reach the 100,000 signature target before the deadline,” he added.
He also said Sarawakians are paying three times more for electricity compared to Canada.
“When comparing the tariff prices, we must also take into consideration the GDP per capita of both countries,” he stressed.
According to the World Bank, Canada’s per capita GDP in 2012 was US$43,472 while Malaysia earned US$16,990.
On average, he said the income of Canadians was three times more than Malaysians’ and Sarawakians’ yet they paid the same electricity tariff of RM0.30 per kilowatt an hour in 2012.
He also said the Canadian government relied on hydroelectric dams for 60 per cent of the country’s electricity need, a situation similar to the scenario in Sarawak.
After the signature campaign, he said the state government should accept and review the current electricity tariff as it is the wish of Sarawakians.