KOTA KINABALU: The Federation of Sabah and Labuan Hokkien Associations will be conducting its 19th annual general meeting (AGM) and the election of its 2012-2013 executive committee in Lahad Datu at the auditorium of SM Lahad Datu at 10am on March 12.
In a statement issued here, its secretary-general, Peter Tiew, noted that following the amendment last year to its constitution and the treasurer’s report procedures, regulation now requires its executive committee to dissolve and to conduct fresh election within 15 months, so as to allow for the convening of its AGM before March 31 of each year.
He further noted that according to Chapter 4 (Section 8) of its constitution, all its 22 branches may send five delegates each, besides observers to the AGM.
In line with its emphasis to groom young leaders and in respect of women rights, its present executive committee had unanimously resolved to have a youth and a woman representative each from among the five delegates.
“All the five delegates must be members of the existing committee of member associations and all the delegates’ lists and resolutions, if any, must be faxed to the secretariat (088 258 000) before February 24 (Friday),” he reminded.
Tiew went on to note that its youth and women wings too will conduct their meetings on March 10, at the same venue between 10am and 11am. All member associations too are invited to send five youth and women delegates each to attend the delegates conference.
For the first time, the youth and women wings will be allowed to elect their respective heads and deputy, who will be absorbed into the Federation’s executive committee.
The delegates conference will also for the first time assign a speaker to oversee and to ensure smooth proceedings of the youth and women wing meetings.
“The reforms were the aspiration of the president, Datuk TC Goh, and his entire committee, to provide the youth and women wings a platform to learn about the procedures of the meeting, the right to speak, the recording of the proceedings, financial management and the preparation of the treasurer’s report, accounting rules, election proceedings etc, all in accordance with the constitution.
“This would give the youth and women leaders a clear picture of what can be done and what cannot within the constitution, so as to better prepare them to lead the Federation properly, in future,” Tiew elaborated.
He said Goh is very much concerned about the organising of the youth and women wing conferences this time around, thus despite being busy with his business, he had made it a point to impart his valuable experiences in both his past service in the Royal Malaysian Police and presently in the corporate world, to the young generation of leaders.
Tiew further added that Goh had expressed hope that Hokkien youths in the State, especially those who have just graduated from the university and wish to inherit their family business but lack the corporate management experience, could make good use of the platform provided by the Federation to learn about corporate and organisational management.
He expressed confidence that the AGM and election will be a smooth and cordial affair under Goh’s able leadership.
Meanwhile, he also disclosed that the Federation will organising its 2012 celebration to coincide with the 25th anniversary celebration of the Lahad Datu Hokkien Association on March 11, also to be held at the auditorium of SM Lahad Datu at 7pm.
The guest of honour is the honorary life president of the Federation, Datuk Seri Panglima Sari Nuar, who is also the president of Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS).
The executive committee of the Federation will also attend the 124th anniversary celebration of the Sandakan Hokkien Association on March 10 at the Sandakan Hakka Association’s auditorium.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman is expected to grace the occasion as the guest of honour.