Chong Chieng Jen (simplified Chinese: 张健仁; traditional Chinese: 張健仁; pinyin: Zhāng Jiànrén; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tiuⁿ Kiān-jîn; Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: Chông Khien-ìn, born 12 February 1971), is a Malaysian politician and lawyer who has served as Chairman of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) since February 2024,[1] State Leader of the Opposition of Sarawak from June 2013 to November 2020 and again since March 2024, Member of Parliament (MP) for Stampin since May 2018 and Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Padungan since December 2021. He served as the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and former Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail from July 2018 to the collapse of the PH administration in February 2020, MP for Bandar Kuching from March 2004 to May 2018 and MLA for Kota Sentosa from May 2006 to December 2021. He is a member, National Vice Chairman, State Chairman of Sarawak, Branch Chairman of Kuching and State Youth Advisor of Sarawak as well as Bandar Kuching of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the PH and formerly Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and Barisan Alternatif (BA) coalitions.[2][3][4]

Chong Chieng Jen
张健仁
Chong in 2013
Chairman of the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Assumed office
19 February 2024
MinisterSteven Sim Chee Keong
DeputyManivannan Gowindasamy
Preceded byWilson Ugak Kumbong
State Leader of the Opposition of Sarawak
Assumed office
19 March 2024
GovernorWan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
PremierAbang Abdul Rahman Johari
Preceded byWong Soon Koh
ConstituencyPadungan
In office
10 June 2013 – 8 November 2020
GovernorAbdul Taib Mahmud
Chief MinisterAdenan Satem
(2013–2017)
Abang Abdul Rahman Johari
(2017–2020)
Preceded byWong Ho Leng
Succeeded byWong Soon Koh
ConstituencyKota Sentosa
Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
In office
2 July 2018 – 24 February 2020
MonarchsMuhammad V
(2018–2019)
Abdullah
(2019–2020)
Prime MinisterMahathir Mohamad
MinisterSaifuddin Nasution Ismail
Preceded byHenry Sum Agong
(Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism)
Succeeded byRosol Wahid
ConstituencyStampin
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Stampin
Assumed office
9 May 2018
Preceded byJulian Tan Kok Ping
(PRDAP)
Majority14,221 (2018)
7,158 (2022)
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Bandar Kuching
In office
21 March 2004 – 9 May 2018
Preceded bySong Swee Guan
(BNSUPP)
Succeeded byKelvin Yii Lee Wuen
(PH–DAP)
Majority2,041 (2004)
9,952 (2008)
19,642 (2013)
Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly
for Padungan
Assumed office
18 December 2021
Preceded byWong King Wei
(PH–DAP)
Majority1,198 (2021)
Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly
for Kota Sentosa
In office
20 May 2006 – 18 December 2021
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byYap Yau Sin
(GPS–SUPP)
Majority531 (2006)
4,824 (2011)
2,819 (2016)
State Chairman of the
Pakatan Harapan of Sarawak
Assumed office
30 August 2017
PresidentWan Azizah Wan Ismail
National ChairmanMahathir Mohamad
(2017–2020)
Anwar Ibrahim
(since 2020)
Preceded byHimself
National Vice Chairman of the
Democratic Action Party
Assumed office
16 December 2012
National ChairmanKarpal Singh
(2012–2014)
Tan Kok Wai
(2014–2022)
Lim Guan Eng
(since 2022)
Secretary-GeneralLim Guan Eng
(2012–2022)
Anthony Loke Siew Fook
(since 2022)
State Chairman of the
Democratic Action Party of Sarawak
Assumed office
10 June 2013
DeputyDavid Wong Kee Woan
Secretary-GeneralLim Guan Eng
Preceded byWong Ho Leng
Personal details
Born
Chong Chieng Jen

(1971-02-12) 12 February 1971 (age 53)
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
CitizenshipMalaysian
Nationality Malaysia
Political partyDemocratic Action Party (DAP)
Other political
affiliations
Barisan Alternatif (BA)
1999–2004
Pakatan Rakyat (PR)
(2008–2015)
Pakatan Harapan (PH)
(since 2015)
SpouseTan Hui Poh
RelationsChong Siew Chang (father)
Sim Yaw Sik (mother)
Children1 son and two daughters
Alma materAustralian National University
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionLawyer
Websitechiengjen.blogspot.com

Personal life and education

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Chong started his primary education in SJK(C) Methodist (Methodist Chinese National Primary School), Sibu. He continued his Primary 3 to 5 education at Kuching's SJK(C) Chung Hua No. 3 (Chung Hua No. 3 Chinese National Primary School), and Primary 6 at SRK St. Theresa Padungan (St. Theresa Padungan National Primary School), Kuching. Chong later undertook his secondary education in SMK St. Joseph, Kuching (St. Joseph, Kuching National Secondary School) and Saint Patrick's School, Singapore. He was admitted into Victoria Junior College, one of the top junior colleges in Singapore.

Chong pursued his tertiary studies at the Australian National University, Canberra and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in accounting & economics, and Bachelor of Laws.[4]

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He works as an advocate in Kuching and is attached to the legal firm Messrs Chong Brothers Advocates.

Political career

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Chong first took part in the 10th Malaysian general election, contesting for the Bandar Kuching parliamentary seat as a DAP candidate but lost to Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) candidate, Song Swee Guan.[5][6] In the following 10th Sarawak state election, he contested for the Padungan state seat, eventually losing out to Lily Yong Lee Lee, also a SUPP candidate.[7]

In the 11th Malaysian general election, Chong was elected as MP for Bandar Kuching with a 2,041 majority vote,[8] and later, Sarawak state assemblyman for the newly created seat of Kota Sentosa in following the results of the 11th Sarawak state election.[9][10]

Chong defended his parliamentary seat in the 12th Malaysian general election with an increased majority.[11] In 2011, he once again, he defended his state seat, this time against Yap Chin Loi, with a majority vote of 4,824.

On 17 December 2012, during the DAP 16th National Congress, Chong was among seven DAP leaders appointed to the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC).[12] On 5 May 2013, he contested for the Bandar Kuching parliamentary seat for the final time in the 13th Malaysian general election and retained the seat with an even larger majority of 19,642 against SUPP's Tan Kai.[13]

On 7 May 2016, during the 11th Sarawak state election, Chong retained his Kota Sentosa state seat with a majority vote of 2,819 against Yap Yau Sin.[14] On 12 November 2017, during the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) re-election, Chong was re-elected as one of the party's five national vice-chairperson.[15][16]

Following incumbent Stampin MP Julian Tan Kok Ping's decision to retire from politics,[17] Chong moved to contest the Stampin parliamentary seat against SUPP president Sim Kui Hian in the 14th Malaysian general election (GE14) on 9 May 2018, which was seen as a 'grey' or unsafe seat following redelineation by the Election Commission (EC).[18] His special assistant, Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen, contested for the Bandar Kuching seat.[19] Chong went on to win with a majority vote of 14,221.[20][21][22] Following the historic events of the GE14 which saw the first-ever change in the Government of Malaysia and end of six decades of National Front (BN) rule, on 2 July 2018, Chong was sworn-in as Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs of Malaysia by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia).[23][24]

In the 12th Sarawak state election, Chong's special assistant, Michael Kong Feng Nian was selected to contest in Kota Sentosa[25][26] whereas Chong went on to contest in the Padungan state seat against the mayor of Kuching South, Datuk Wee Hong Seng. Chong went on to win the Padungan state seat with a majority of 1,198.[27]

Election results

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Parliament of Malaysia
Year Constituency Candidate Votes Pct Opponent(s) Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
1999 P169 Bandar Kuching Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) 5,913 17.39% Song Swee Guan (SUPP) 18,239 53.64% 34,693 8,389 63.06%
Dominique Ng Kim Ho (IND) 9,850 28.97%
2004 P195 Bandar Kuching Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) 17,914 53.02% Wee Kok Tiong (SUPP) 15,873 46.98% 34,693 2,041 63.06%
2008 Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) 22,901 63.88% Sim Yaw Yen (SUPP) 12,949 36.12% 36,257 9,952 68.13%
2013 Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) 30,133 74.18% Tan Kai (SUPP) 10,491 25.82% 40,879 19,642 76.64%
2018 P196 Stampin Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) 33,060 63.70% Sim Kui Hian (SUPP) 18,839 36.30% 52,550 14,221 79.33%
2022 Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) 39,310 53.30% Lo Khere Chiang (SUPP) 32,152 43.59% 73,759 7,158 60.95%
Lue Cheng Hing (PSB) 2,291 3.11%
Sarawak State Legislative Assembly
Year Constituency Candidate Votes Pct Opponent(s) Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
2001 N08 Padungan Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) 7,369 46.73% Lily Yong Lee Lee (SUPP) 8,402 53.27% 16,259 1,033 65.10%
2006 N12 Kota Sentosa Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) 6,579 52.10% Yap Chin Loi (SUPP) 6,048 47.90% 12,846 531 67.84%
2011 Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) 12,594 61.84% Yap Chin Loi (SUPP) 7,770 38.16% 20,589 4,824 75.41%
2016 Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) 10,047 58.16% Yap Yau Sin (SUPP) 7,228 41.84% 17,495 2,819 67.91%
2021 N09 Padungan Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) 4,686 50.40% Wee Hong Seng (SUPP) 3,488 37.52% 9,297 1,198 44.94%
Raymond Thong Ee Yu (PBK) 930 10.00%
Soo Lina (ASPIRASI) 193 2.08%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Chong Chieng Jen dilantik sebagai Pengerusi NIOSH". Suara Sarawak (in Malay). 19 February 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  2. ^ Kwan Yee, Kow (16 December 2012). "Karpal appointed DAP chairman for third time; Guan Eng remains sec-gen". The Star. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  3. ^ "Chong Chieng Jen new state DAP chairman". The Borneo Post. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  4. ^ a b "DAP Candidate's CV – Chong Chieng Jen". Democratic Action Party. Archived from the original on 17 August 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  5. ^ "DAP blames defeat on its alliance with the Pas". New Straits Times. 1 December 1999. p. 4.
  6. ^ "DAP and Keadilan tussle over Stampin, Bandar Kuching seats". New Straits Times. 13 November 1999. p. 8.
  7. ^ "Sarawak State Election: The candidates". New Straits Times. 19 September 2001. p. 6.
  8. ^ "DAP benefited from SUPP candidate list dispute". New Straits Times. 23 March 2004. p. 14.
  9. ^ "Stiff challenges ahead". New Straits Times. 25 April 2006. p. 8.
  10. ^ Teo, John (27 May 2006). "Sarawak's minor quake is really a wake-up call". New Straits Times. p. 18.
  11. ^ "Voters make their intentions clear". New Straits Times. 9 March 2008. p. 9.
  12. ^ "Appointment is first step to penetrate Dayak areas: Anthony". The Sun (Malaysia). 17 December 2012.
  13. ^ "Tan Kai says better to be pol-sec than election candidate". The Borneo Post. 15 September 2017.
  14. ^ "Sarawak DAP chairman retains Kota Sentosa". www.thesundaily.my.
  15. ^ "DAP re-election: Kok Wai elected national chairman, Gobind deputy". 12 November 2017.
  16. ^ "DAP CEC re-election: Kit Siang comes out on top, Gobind runner-up". 12 November 2017.
  17. ^ "Julian not defending Stampin in parliamentary polls — Chong". The Borneo Post. 5 September 2017.
  18. ^ "DAP's Chong Chieng Jen to contest Stampin parliamentary seat - Nation - The Star Online". The Star (Malaysia).
  19. ^ "Chong to leave 'safe' Bandar Kuching for 'grey' Stampin". Free Malaysia Today. 14 April 2018.
  20. ^ "Chong wins Stampin seat with 14,221 vote majority". The Sun (Malaysia).
  21. ^ "Chong wins Stampin seat with 14,221-vote majority". Bernama.
  22. ^ "GE14 : Official Sarawak P196 Stampin : Chong Chieng Jen wins". 9 May 2018. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  23. ^ "Son of Sarawak DAP founder appointed deputy minister". The Borneo Post. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  24. ^ "Cabinet Malaysia 2018". The Borneo Post. 2 July 2018.
  25. ^ "Sarawak polls: Chong to contest Padungan, says he will tell locals why former rep Wong King Wei left DAP". The Star. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  26. ^ "S'wak polls: DAP announces six more candidates". www.thesundaily.my. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  27. ^ "Sarawak polls: Chong to contest Padungan, says he will tell locals why former rep Wong King Wei left DAP". The Star. Retrieved 16 February 2022.