Chong Eng

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Chong Eng bigraphy, stories - Member of Malaysian Parliament

Chong Eng : biography

6 July 1957 –

Chong Eng ( pinyin: Zhāng Yīng) (born on 6 July 1957), is a Malaysian politician for Democratic Action Party (DAP). She is currently the Member of Malaysian Parliament for Bukit Mertajam, Penang which she won since 1999. She also served in the Women Crisis Center and Community AIDS Service Penang. She also holds deputy head membership for Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and sits as a Standing Order Committee member. Chong Eng is currently the chairperson of the DAP Wanita, the women’s wing of DAP. She is also the Deputy Secretary General for the party’s Central Executive Committee.

Personal life and education

She was born in a Chinese new village in Pahang from a family of 10 siblings. She started her primary education in the only Chinese primary school in the village. She was also the first girl from the village to pursue her study in a local university, namely Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (now Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)). She eventually obtained her bachelor of Science degree in Human Development Studies from UPM. Now, she writes regularly in local Chinese dailies and have published three books.

Quotes

She was quoted for saying the following words:

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Political career

She started her political career as a full-time research officer in 1990 with DAP Penang. Chong won the Batu Lanchang state constituency in 1995 Malaysian general election and became the first women to be elected into the Penang State Assembly. She was the sole opposition representative in the state assembly at that time.

Family

She was married to Gunabalan Krishnasamy who is an artist. The couple have two boys, who are currently still schooling. One is studying engineering in a local college, while the other is in a Chinese-type Primary school.

Election results

Penang State Legislative Assembly Percentage figures based on total turnout. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
Year Constituency Opposition Votes Pct Government Votes Pct Ballots cast Turnout
1995 Bukit Lancang (DAP)
2004 N16 Perai Chong Eng (DAP) 4,477 46.94% (MIC) 5,060 53.06% 71%
2013 N15 Padang Lalang Tan Teik Cheng (MCA) 3,727 16.50% (DAP) 18,657 82.61% 22,585 87.40%
Parliament of Malaysia: P45 Bukit Mertajam, Penang Percentage figures based on total turnout.
Year Opposition Votes Pct Government Votes Pct Ballots cast Turnout
1999 (DAP)
2004 (DAP) 26,215 Ma Kok Ben (MCA) 17,651 77%
2008 (DAP) 37,882 74.54% Ong Tang Chuan (MCA) 11,985 23.58% 50,823 79.31%