George Chan Hong Nam


George Chan Hong Nam, is the former Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak, state Industrial Development Minister and state Tourism and Heritage Minister. He is now the former member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly for Piasau, Miri after having lost his seat to the Democratic Action Party in the 2011 Sarawak State Election. He is also former President of the Sarawak United Peoples' Party, a major component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional after having no interest to seek presidential election.
Dr George Chan, who was the deputy chief minister, ended up Barisan Nasional’s biggest casualty when DAP first-timer Alan Ling Sie Kiong turned giant-killer in Piasau. The defeat marks one of the 2 biggest upset in Sarawak State election 2011.
After losing state election in his constituency, he had sent a resignation letter to the party but was asked by the central committee members to stay on until the party's Triennial Delegates Conference which was held recently in December 2011.
Ling, a lawyer, polled 5,998 votes to Dr Chan’s 4,408 to win by a 1,590-vote majority.

Personal life

Dr. Chan is divorced from his American wife of Irish descent, Datin Patinggi Puan Sri Judith Chan. The couple has four daughters. One of their daughters, Anisa Chan is married to Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud's son Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman.
Dr. Chan received his primary education in Miri at St. Joseph's Primary School and his secondary education in Kuching at St. Joseph's Secondary School Kuching. After his senior Cambridge examination he left for Australia under the Colombo Plan scholarship to do his Medicine at the University of Sydney and graduated with an MBBS in 1963.
Dr. Chan married Datin Patinggi Puan Sri Datuk Wira Lorna Enan Muloon, the adopted daughter of the late Dato Sri Joseph Balan Seling in 2009, in a private ceremony. They have often been seen together at public functions.

Honours

Honours of Malaysia