DAP Wanita chief Chong Eng has been appointed the partys acting secretary-general to take over Kerk Kim Hocks duties during his absence to seek medical treatment for rectal cancer.

The decision was made during the central executive committee meeting at the partys headquarters in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

This is to enable Kerk to seek further medical treatment to recover from his condition, the partys national publicity secretary Ronnie Liu said in a press statement today.

The decision to appoint Bukit Mertajam MP Chong, 45, came following Kerks operation recently.

Kerk, who is Kota Melaka Member of Parliament, shocked his supporters when it was recently revealed that he has rectal cancer.

Since his April 10 operation, Kerk has been recuperating at his home in Kampung Tujuh, Melaka.

Kerk had wanted to keep the matter private but his sudden disappearance from public view had worried DAP members, supporters and his constituents.

His absence was intensely felt in Parliament early this month during one of the most heated debates in the House — the controversial amendments to the Elections Act which, among others, endorsed the hefty increase of election deposit for parliamentary candidates from RM5,000 to RM20,000.

The CEC has also approved Kerks application for two months leave.