KOTA KINABALU: Twenty-eight incumbent management committee members of Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) have formed a new team ‘Vision’ to contest for the 36th president and 42 management and supervisory posts in KKCCCI.
Six out of the seven incumbent KKCCCI vice presidents are also in the ‘Vision’ team.
Michael Lui Yen Sang, the team’s candidate for the president’s post, announced in a press conference here on Thursday.
Lui, 55, joined KKCCCI in 1984 and was elected as a supervisory committee member in 1986. He was the former vice president of KKCCCI, and is now one of the management committee members in the chamber.
The ‘Vision’ team, led by incumbent vice president Major (K) Dr Ling Hie Sing, will be up against the team led by Datuk John Su Haw Tieng, the present deputy president of KKCCCI.
Su recently announced that he would be contesting for the president’s post of KKCCCI upon the request of the current president Datuk Seri Panglima Sari Nuar.
The nomination for the 36th committee of KKCCCI will be held on November 14, and polling on November 25
If he is elected as the president, Lui said his goal would be to carry out his responsibility as the president diligently, improve the financial status of KKCCCI and to reduce wastage.
According to Lui, KKCCCI is currently over RM1 million in debt to two of the kindergartens under the management of the chamber whilst also in need of funding for a new Chinese primary school in Kolombong.
Lui said the new team would bring in new leadership methods that was fair and democratic, and do away with the old ways whereby members could not voice out their opposition.
The ‘Vision’ team also anticipates more talented, younger businessmen to join KKCCCI in order to effectively improve the workings of the chamber, he said.
Lui pointed out that KKCCCI has fared well in terms of educational development but has yet to improve the welfare and interests of members, as well as the preservation of Chinese culture and tradition.
Hence, he said the team would strive to strengthen education, culture and commerce, and to work with the State Government in driving the economy of the State to a higher level.
In addition, Lui said it was inappropriate for a person to hold a post indefinitely.
He proposed that the ‘Vision’ team would amend the constitution to ensure each president of KKCCCI could only hold the reign for one term only, that is a three-year period, as there are many other talented and experienced members who are fit to preside.
Meanwhile, Ling said the team would provide its fullest support to back Lui and is confident that the latter could lead the team.
Nonetheless, he stressed that the election is a friendly match and should not severe the relationship between members.
He said the contestants should be mutually respectful of each other.
“All of them who signed up willingly pledged to serve KKCCCI, and KKCCCI needs these brilliant talents to service the business community and its members.
“We are very disciplined and united,” Ling added, while also urging members to support the team.
Ling also acknowledged the encouragement and support from Sari and hoped he would get well soon.