Sibu MP opts out of GE13 on doctor’s advice

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 – Sibu MP Wong Ho Leng announced today that he will sit out the coming 13th general election, following advice from his doctor on his health condition, The Star reported this afternoon.

The Sarawak DAP chief (picture), who publicly admitted to having a brain tumour last month, was reported as telling a press conference in Sibu that he needed to take time off to rest instead of contesting the polls.

“I have made the decision following doctors’ advice that I need to rest after completion of my six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore,” The Star quoted him as saying.

The Bukit Assek assemblyman also said he has communicated his decision to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, and informed the latter of his choice replacement.

But he added that the state’s seven-member committee would finalise the matter at a meeting in Kuching tomorrow, including the names of all the 14 state seats in the state that DAP will be contesting in Election 2013.

The daily added that Wong would remain DAP’s state chairman and help the party campaign in the polls, despite his decision to opt out of the contest himself.

Earlier this month, Wong had blogged updates on his condition, saying he had so far underwent four weeks of radiotherapy treatment in Singapore and generally felt “fine and healthy”.

The politician also said in the February 2 blog post that although the treatment had gone without hiccups, specialists had expressed concerns that his liver may be overburdened by the therapy.

In view of this, they decided to put his chemotherapy treatment on halt for the time-being.

“I am positive and hopeful for a full recovery. I ask all members and supporters to keep hopes high. I wish to thank them for their concern,” Wong had written.

Wong had marked a milestone in DAP’s history when he pulled off a surprise win for the Sibu seat during the May 16 by-election, defeating Barisan Nasional’s (BN) SUPP by 398 votes in a hard-fought race.

The victory became a harbinger of even better things to come for DAP’s struggle in the BN-led Sarawak. During the Sarawak state elections in 2011, DAP emerged the sole opposition party that nearly swept up all the 15 seats it contested.