francis goh
PENAMPANG: Kinsabina Sdn Bhd managing director Francis Goh has announced his intention to contest for the Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (SHAREDA) president’s post next month.
Goh, who has served as SHAREDA vice president and executive committee for two terms, said that a change in leadership keeps an organization ‘healthy’. The current SHAREDA president is Datuk Susan Wong.
Speaking at a Chinese New Year celebration with SHAREDA members at Wisma Kinsabina on Saturday, Goh said that he decided to offer his services to the association members after receiving requests from some of them.
“Some of them actually came to me and complained about the dilemma faced by Sabah developers. Because I also share similar opinion with them, I think it is time for someone to come out and to contest the SHAREDA president’s post,” he said, adding that the association’s election is expected to be held in March.
“Today, I announce my intention to go for the presidency of SHAREDA for the next term. By right, Datuk Susan’s term in accordance with the previous Constitution has expired.
“But the Constitution was amended to include another term so I don’t know whether Datuk Susan will seek re-election or not. I just want to declare my stand … I am going for that position,” he said.
Goh also said that he was one of the members who had opposed to the amendment of the Constitution because he feels that in any healthy organization, two terms for the leadership is good enough.
“No matter how young you are, how energetic you are, I think the opportunity must be given to others to lead. If you want to lead again, you can take a rest for a couple of years before making a return and nobody will object to that.
“But to continue for three terms consecutively, I think is too long and this deprives other members’ right to contribute their leadership capability. When I opposed the amendment, I even quoted the late Deng Xio Peng, who made it a rule that all the leaders in China can only serve for two terms,” he said, adding that this is a perfect system in order not to create a situation like some other associations where their leaders can sit there for 20 to 30 years.
Goh said that his decision was made in response to requests by SHAREDA members who encouraged him to contest.
He also disclosed that there are a lot of issues faced by property developers which SHAREDA has yet to resolve, among which is the CL 999 years issue.
“If the government finds it difficult to help us to resolve the matter, we will seek judiciary review. Let the court decide for us. This is an approach I am going to adopt if I am elected president,” he said.
According to Goh, the other concern raised by property developers is with regard to the 30 per cent reserved for Bumiputras within the developments.
The ruling restricts purchasers of these lots from selling their property for five years after buying the lots and this has resulted in Bumiputras themselves being reluctant to purchase the property.
“We want to help the Bumiputeras to be able to own property but the problem is why do you restrict and restrain them from selling the unit within five years of purchase? Can’t they earn some money through property investment?
“Because of this restriction, some of the Bumiputeras do not want to buy these reserved lots. After they buy the property, it is theirs, they have the right to do whatever they want with it, so why can’t they sell to earn some money?
“So we are trying to fight for the Bumiputeras … to speak on their behalf in order to urge the government to lift the restriction imposed on Bumiputera quota,” he said, adding, “we will continue to point out to the government about the little Napoleon ruling and the delays caused by government policies.
Goh added that if he is elected president, he will be focusing more on sharing development and market experience among all the developers. There will also be more forums, seminars and morning talks so that current issues to be addressed and latest policies will be made known to SHAREDA members in order to minimize abandoned projects in the state.