It would be a folly to take BN lightly — DAP rising star

July 11, 2011 Borneo Post

KUCHING: Will the DAP still be considered an underdog in the 13th general election after the record sweep of 12 of the 15 state seats it contested on April 16?

As far as Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen’s assistant Dr Tang Sie Hing is concerned, his party would still be the underdog because the “BN is strong and smart.”

He said he was cautious about the findings from several analyses which indicated that the DAP would wrest more parliamentary seats, especially from the SUPP, in the general election.

Based on the results of the recently-concluded 10th state election, political observers have predicted that the opposition could win big, particularly in urban areas.

Dr Tang said he felt it would not be wise to judge based on the election results in April as “parliamentary election is not the same (as the state election).”

“Political scientists can analyse the election results but as far as DAP or Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is concerned, more factors have to be taken into consideration.

“There is no sure win and we cannot rely on past merits. BN is strong and smart, and they can come up with new strategies. We are still the underdogs,” he said when met here recently.

On candidacy, the cardiologist, who joined the DAP in May this year, did not give a direct answer when asked whether he would be picked to contest in Stampin which is held by Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng of SUPP. Yong had said on numerous occasions that he wouldn’t be seeking re-election again.

Dr Tang said the question of candidacy was not the sole discretion of the DAP. “PR has to decide which coalition partner has the best winning chances. We all have to work harder to come up with the best candidate.”

He disclosed that the party would bring some “breaking news” to supporters today. Without giving details, he said DAP wanted the rakyat to know that the party was serious in wanting to make inroads into the rural areas throughout the state.

In the April 16 state polls, DAP retained Pending, Kota Sentosa, Meradong, Bukit Assek, Kidurong and wrested Padungan, Batu Kawah, Repok, Dudong, Pelawan, Piasau and Pujut from the SUPP.

It currently has two parliamentary seats, namely Bandar Kuching and Sibu.

Right after the election in April, Chong, who is also state DAP secretary and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, told a news conference that the party’s southern region would propose to contest in Mambong, Mas Gading, Serian, Sri Aman and probably Petra Jaya in the general election.

Chong did not clearly state whether DAP would take both Bandar Kuching and Stampin.

DAP to help clean up Tabuan River

9 June 2011 Borneo Post

KUCHING: The DAP is mobilising efforts to clean up Tabuan River this Sunday.

Cardiologist Dr Tang Sie Hing, who is state DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen’s special assistant, said volunteers for the cleaning up initiative would meet up at a bridge near Tabuan Dayak at noon on that day.

“The high tide reaches its peak at about 1pm. So, hopefully by that time we can pick up as much rubbish as we can to clean the river,” he said.

He said he found out that Zhu Sze Kung temple committee chairman Ngeng Eng Cheng and his workers had been clearing Stutong river of rubbish but not Tabuan river as reported last Tuesday.

“Ngeng’s voluntary action to help is very encouraging. Let this be a good example for others to follow,” he said.

He agreed that this matter should not be played up as a political issue.

“What the people want is action to solve the problem. We clean it now and educate the people then,” added Tang.

He said he needed people to provide boats and financial assistance. Those with great ideas to treat the river are also welcomed to call him.

He said he was glad to hear from some local associations and churches who offered help. Some even called him from Miri.

To join the cleaning work, members of the public can go to ‘Save Tabuan River Campaign’ in Facebook or call Tang at 016-8848853 or email sarawak_cardiology@yahoo.com

Meanwhile, Dr Tang said the DAP would hold a dinner with the theme of ‘By the people, for the people’ at M2 foodcourt in Batu Kawah on June 19.

All its 12 elected YBs would be present at the dinner.

Tickets are sold at RM100, RM50 and RM30. Those interested to buy the dinner tickets are advised to call 082-335531.

Nightmare At Poliklinik Jalan Masjid

19 May 2011

KUCHING – While the rich and famous getting world class treatment at specialist private hospital and clinics, the polyclinic at Jalan Mosque is a ‘daily nightmare’ for patients who have to undergo a lot of hurdles before they could be treated by doctors.

Personal Assistant to Chong Chieng Jen, Dr. Tang Sie Hing went down to the Polyclinic to look at the first hand situation himself for the last two days after receiving complaints from members of the public.

Yesterday, he was aghast to see two patients having their wallets stolen while trying to squeeze through the 400 crowd to get their numbers.

Dr. Tang said some patients came as early as 6 am to get their numbers (doctors started seeing them at 8 am) and there was only one counter opened. Before there were three counters, one counter for retirees, elderly and diabetes but to unknown reasons, there was only one counter opened to service the huge number of patients.

He said due to the long queue, people would be jostling one another, jumping queue, quarrelling and rampant pick pockets. The gate outside the polyclinic even came off yesterday as people fought to get in line first.

“Going to the polyclinic is a stressful job for the patients who have no choice and those who manned the counter are also in a state of anxiety seeing such occurrence daily. There was even a quarrel yesterday when I was there as one person jumped queue. It is all very depressing,” said Dr. Tan.

After writing to the Director of State Health department, Zulkifli Jantan, Dr. Tan said he did not received any respond.

He had forwarded a few suggestion to the Director asking him to open up the counters again as there were five people inside the counter and three pigeon hole.

“I don’t see the logic of five persons manning one pigeon hole while about 300 people were squeezing outside to get in line,” he added.

He also suggested that a CCTV be installed from 6 am to 9 am as that was when the crowd is huge.

“For three hours they could find out who the pick pockets are and alerted the police,” he added.

Dr.Tang said he will again try to set up a meeting with the Director to get the whole picture and to make the place a more conducive place for patients.

He also said the 1Malaysia Clinic which has been mushrooming all over the place was only manned by medical assistants.

“I think the government should take care of the polyclinic, make it a more friendly user place for patients who are already sick before taking the next step of setting up 1Malaysia clinic with no medical doctors manning there,” he added.

DAP Ride On Medical Man To Rural Area

Sarawak Update 24 May 2011

KUCHING – The DAP will kick start a function in Bau on May 28 to spear head their presence in the rural areas.

In a press conference today, both of State Assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen’s personal assistants, Dr. Tan Sie Hing and Mordi Binol said a series of activities would be held on that day.

Dr. Tang said the theme of the function, “heart to heart meeting with DAP leaders” will include free medical consultant and health checkup including free random blood sugar test and blood pressure by a family doctor, free medical consultant and health check up offered by a trained Chinese physician with emphasis on patients with chronic aches and pains, free consultation and health check up for patients wtih or suspected heart diseased organised by he himself, Dr. Tang Sie Hing(consultant heart specialist from Normah Medical Specialist centre).

He added that there would also be a voter registration, DAP membership drive and meeting the YB’s session.

Saying that this is the first of the many functions they are planning for the rural areas, Dr. Tang asked the people regardless of race or religion to join in the consultation.

“We will find out what are the needs of the rural people but at the moment we start out with free consultation for the people there,” he added.

Dr. Tang also urged medical doctors not to worry that they are ‘stealing’ patients from the rural areas. “We are just going to do a service only,” he added.

Cardiologist joins DAP in its fight for change

Borneo Post 7 May 2011

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.”

Press Statement on 6 May 2011

Press Statement

(6 May 2011 @ Kuching DAP Headquarter)

Thank you very much for coming to this press conference. I am Dr Tang Sie Hing, an interventional cardiologist in private practice. On this day as I celebrate my 42^nd birthday, I hereby announce I have joined Democratic Action Party (DAP). I would like to thank YB Chong Chieng Jen for his kind invitation and encouragement.

The decision to enter politics at a time like this has been a process met with challenges, doubts and fears. But I realized it was an easy decision to choose a political party that best reflects my political aspirations i.e. DAP. Let me explain 3 phases of my life experience that shaped my decision today.

(1) I grew up in Sibu until I was 18 years old. I was greatly inspired by the sincere and sacrificial works done by Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh. Their political struggle left a lasting memory of standing for equality, justice and integrity.

(2) I studied in Melbourne and subsequently worked in Australia and Singapore. 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.

(3) In 2005 I returned to Kuching, Sarawak. I had the first hand experience of local politics. Again I was inspired and moved by the Sarawak DAP leaders, Richard Wong Ho Leng, Chiew Chin Sing and Chong Chieng Jen. Their selfless sacrifice, courage and sheer hard work in making Sarawak a place free from corruption, cronyism and nepotism again inspired me.

So at the prime of my career and achievements, I can no longer selfishly enjoy the fruit of my labour and continue in my comfort zone; I have decided to step forward and be counted. I made this bold decision based on my 3 convictions:

(1) As a Sarawakian, I have a moral duty to serve and defend those who are underprivileged and continued to be deprived of their lawful rights.

(2) As a Malaysian, I must stand up for my fellow countrymen and contribute my talents to change the course of this nation for the betterment of all Malaysians regardless of their race, creed and religious affiliations.

(3) As a Christian, I am called to be the light and salt of the world. I will ensure every citizen in Malaysia can be proud of this country. A country which is free from corruption, religious bigotry and restriction of freedom.

I would like to take this opportunity to urge more people to join me on this political platform and together we can change this country and hope for a better future. God bless you and once again thank you for being here today.

Biodata

· Dr. Tang Sie Hing 鄭世興醫生

· D.O.B.: 6 May 1969

· Birthplace: Sibu

· Race: Chinese, Foochow.

· Spoken Languages: Mandarin, English, Bahasa Malaysia, Foochow.

· Religion: Christianity, Methodist.

· Education: Methodist Primary School Sibu, Ling Chu Ming Secondary School Sibu, Methodist Secondary School Sibu, Mazenod College Melbourne.

· Tertiary Education: University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery in 1994.

· Qualifications:

· MRCP (UK) – Membership of Royal College of Physician United Kingdom

· Completion of Advanced Training in Cardiology – Academy of Medicine Singapore.

· Completion of Interventional Cardiology Training – Western Health & University of Melbourne.

· Work Experience (Abroad)

· Box Hill Hospital Melbourne (1995)

· The Canberra Hospital, A.C.T. (1996-1997)

· Singapore General Hospital (1997-2001)

· National Heart Centre of Singapore (2001-2004)

· Western Health Melbourne (2004-2005)

· Work Experience (Local)

· Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, UNIMAS (2005-2007)

· Resident Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Normah Medical Specialist Centre (since 2008)

· Visiting Consultant Cardiologist, Timberland Medical Centre (since 2005)

· Family: Catherine Tang (wife), Carissa (daughter) & Zachary (son).