KUCHING: Dr Tang Sie Hing, an interventional cardiologist, announced on his birthday yesterday that he has joined DAP to pursue what he believes is a fight for change and to further see democracy and transparency practised in the nation.
Since his younger days, Dr Tang said he had seen enough suppression among his parents’ generation such that those who voted for the opposition party could not proudly announce it.
“Whenever people asked my parents as well as others who they voted for, they would gesture ‘Shhh’ even if they knew they had voted for the right person and for the right reason,” Dr Tang shared his childhood memories during a press conference here yesterday.
The 42-year-old, who is now a member of DAP and the special assistant to DAP Sarawak secretary Chong Chieng Jen, reasoned that he wanted “to do something for the right reason”.
He made the move with the support of his several family members, who were also seen during the news conference.
Dr Tang said he had learnt to stand up for change or people would continue to be suppressed or succumbed to fear.
“We must overcome the fear factor. More importantly, there is no need to live in fear if we know we are doing the right thing,” he asserted.
He is Chong’s second special assistant following an announcement on Wednesday when Mordi Bimol, a 26-year-old Bachelor of Computer Science graduate, was named the first special assistant.
Dr Tang said he believed in DAP’s struggle as the party “is fighting an uphill battle and wants to do things right.”
“The ultimate goal is for the benefit of the rakyat and we need more young people and professionals to come forward for this goal.”
Whether he was following the footsteps of Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei, who used to be Chong’s special assistant, he said: “I need to learn how to service the grassroots. I just joined and definitely a young kid of the party. I need to humble myself and learn from these people (seniors).”
Reading his media statement earlier, Dr Tang said it was an easy decision to choose a political party that best reflected his political aspirations.
Having grown up in Sibu, he said the political struggles of DAP national leaders Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh had left a lasting memory of standing for equality, justice and integrity.
“As I continued to observe Malaysian politics from a distance, I was greatly encouraged by other DAP leaders like Lim Guan Eng, Ngeh Koo Ham and Nga Kor Ming,” said the cardiologist who studied in Melbourne and had worked in Australia and Singapore.
He returned to the state in 2005 when he had the first hand experience of local politics.
He said the selfless sacrifice, courage and sheer hard work of state DAP leaders such as Wong Ho Leng, Chiew Chiu Sing and Chong Chieng Jen to make Sarawak a place free of corruption and cronyism had also inspired him.
Dr Tang pointed out that he could no longer selfishly enjoy the fruit of his labour and continues in his comfort zone albeit at the prime of his career and achievements.
He said he decided to join DAP based on three convictions – having a moral duty to serve and defend those underprivileged, contribute talents to change the course of this nation for the betterment of all Malaysians and ensure that this country is free from corruption, religious bigotry and restriction of freedom.
He also called on more people to join him on this political platform to change the country for a better future.
Meanwhile, Chong believed that with more young and professionals joining, it would help the party make inroads in the rural areas in the state.
“In the last two weeks, we have been taking in young people. Three more lawyers have signed up to join us,” he said, not willing to disclose any names.
Whether Dr Tang’s joining would help DAP lure more professionals to become members, he said: “Everyone has their attractions and whoever is joining us, we will learn from one another to explore new means.”
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