Ting gets two posts with two associations in one night

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SIBU: Prominent businessman Ting Huat Chie was elected to two important posts with two associations on the same night.

Ting is the only Team B member to make it into Sibu Foochow Association committee as vice-chairman, as well as elected president of Sibu United Chinese Association (UCA).

Ting took over from Sibu UCA’s outgoing president Datuk Lau Nai Hoh who had a turbulent year dealing with the association’s relationship with Federation of Seven Clans’ Association.

The elections of Sibu Foochow Association and Sibu UCA both occurred on Sunday; both associations choosing their office-bearers and heads of sub-committees on Monday night.

Although it was a night of double joy for Ting for having received two important posts with two associations, the Year of the Dragon will challenge his leadership.

Ting might play the role of peacemaker in Foochow Association, having to balance the interest of Teams A and B, which might be nursing their wounds after the cracks in the election.

In Sibu UCA, outgoing president Datuk Lau gave Ting a demanding task. Lau wanted him to look into Sibu UCA’s tensed relationship with the Federation of the Seven Clans, and the proposed extension of Sibu UCA building.

The building’s extension plan has been approved during his term, and Ting would have to carry it out now.

The outgoing president said his committee had left behind some funds for the extension. The prime minister had given Sibu UCA a RM300,000 grant for its 35th anniversary celebration.

He had some cash left over from this grant, and with the grant from the chief minister, Ting could carry on with the extension work after sourcing for more funds.

In the meeting on Monday night, Penghulu Kong Hian Khim returned to Sibu UCA.

Kong recently boycotted UCA’s activities to protest their decision to terminate the service of Kong Wai Siew Association (Cantonese clan) leader Kapitan Hong Wing Huong as UCA advisor. Kong was himself relieved of being UCA’s deputy president.

Kong had said his Cantonese clan association would stay out of UCA’s activities so long as Datuk Lau was president. But with Lau having completed his term of office, Kong and his Cantonese clan association have returned to the table.

In the Monday meeting, Kong was seated a few chairs away from Lau but the two remained calm.

Kong, in an interview with The Borneo Post after the meeting, said he did not wish to comment on what had happened except to say: “It’s all over now.”

Meanwhile Lau Kiu Seng is deputy president of Sibu UCA besides being deputy chairman of Sibu Foochow Association.

The vice-presidents are Hii Hua Hii, Datuk Paduka Yong Choo Kui, Kong Chong Men, Lau Ing Siong, Koh Soon Hock, Chiew Kuan Heng, Tay Mook Seng, Penghulu Kong Hian Khim, Lee Fok Yan, So Teck Kee and Yeo Keng Teck.

Lau Kim Foo retained the secretary’s post. His assistant is Pet Yen Leh.

The treasurer is Kapitan Hii Toh Ping with Tiong Hock Kieng as assistant.