SIBU: Ensuring there would not be a by-election was probably the last will of late Bukit Assek assemblyman Wong Ho Leng.
State DAP vice-chairman David Wong believed this could be so as Ho Leng did not want to burden the party with the short tenure left. The current term of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) expires on June 20, 2016.
“My personal view is that this is his final wish, where he soldiered on until his last breath last night (Saturday) so that there would not be a by-election.
“I think that is his last will to continue his struggle until his last breath,” David told The Borneo Post at Ho Leng’s residence yesterday.
Had Ho Leng passed on a day earlier (before June 20), this would have necessitated a by-election, he added.
While admitting that Ho Leng’s passing was a great loss to the party, he assured that the needs of constituents in Bukit Assek would be well taken care of.
“We assure the people of Bukit Assek that any problems they have will be handled by DAP comrades.”
Asked if there would be any restructuring of DAP Sibu, David replied in the negative.
He said this was because in Sibu they had worked out an arrangement where he, Lanang MP Alice Lau and Dudong assemblyman Yap Hoi Liong would ensure the party run smoothly.
“Since his (Ho Leng) illness, we had diverted his duties to lessen his burden.”
Meanwhile, David described Ho Leng as a good leader.
He recalled how Ho Leng led the DAP through the difficult period from 2001 to 2013.
In the 2001 state election, the DAP only won in Kidurong.
But being a strong-willed person, Ho Leng continued to lead the party until what it is today, noted David.
“He will be dearly missed and remembered not only by comrades but all those who had come to know him either through politics or the legal field.”
David had served under Ho Leng since 1999, saying that the state had lost a great fighter.
He preferred to let the people access Ho Leng’s achievements.
Meanwhile, during the press conference, David announced that a committee had been set up to ensure the smooth running of the funeral arrangement.
The committee is headed by state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, David as deputy while Ngieng Ping Sing would handle administrative matters.
“There are about 30 people in the committee comprising all DAP elected representatives in Sarawak and Sibu comrades,” he said, adding that the DAP flag at Sibu branch would be flown at half mast.
The media, upon learning of Ho Leng’s demise, camped outside his house early yesterday morning.
Ho Leng passed away at 10.50pm on Saturday after struggling with brain tumour for 18 months.
When Ho Leng breathed his last, his wife Irene Chang and five children were at his side.