KOTA KINABALU: Associations and the Government should not have conflicts because both aim to serve the people, says Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) council member Dato’ Ir Chong Hon Len.
“We are an association, we don’t need to confront the government, we discuss with them,” he said.
Chong said Shareda President Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen has voiced out the issues faced by developers, especially the reinstatement of the 999-year land lease with the Chief Minister or government officers whenever she could.
He said there is no question of Susan’s dedication and commitment towards fighting for the interest of Shareda and its members, and the latter would need another term to finish her ongoing mission in solving pending issues, which are nearing completion.
“I think she highly deserves another term to finish her work, especially the 999-year land lease, which affects both developers and buyers,” Chong told a press conference here yesterday.
The press conference was held to announce the mission and manifesto of ‘Vision Team’, led by Susan, who is seeking her third and final term as Shareda president.
Meanwhile, council member Koh Yong Siang said the amendment to Shareda’s constitution to extend the tenure of its president from two terms to three terms was not proposed by Susan.
Koh said the amendment was proposed by Shareda deputy president Datuk Robin Loh Hoon Loi, which was approved by the council and brought up in an annual general meeting (AGM) where the majority of the members approved it.
“Since she (Susan) has not finished what she was doing, she offered herself for another term,” he said.
Koh further explained that the committee has taken on the issues faced by members and all the problems have been forwarded to the relevant government departments, ministers and the Chief Minister.
However, it takes time to resolve some of the issues because of the procedures involved and red tape, he said.
“It is not because the committee is not doing anything. All issues have been acted upon, and are awaiting approval or headway.”
Vice president Wong Ten An shares Koh’s views, saying that any proposals made by Shareda to the Government must be acceptable and workable. At times, consultants need to be engaged to put up proposals, he said.
“So not everything can be done overnight.”
Ten An said Shareda is now a very established, well-known and recognized organization, by the Government, and has also built up a relationship with the Government.
He pointed out that the relationship-building was achieved through hard work, including golf tournaments organized by council member Willie Wong Chik Hing to bring Shareda members and government officials closer.
“We don’t confront the Government on a lot of issues because once we confront, and the Government makes a decision, that’s the end of the issue.
“We believe in negotiation, putting out facts and work together for the betterment of the state,” Ten An said.
He said an association should not bring the Government to court to resolve issues; if it is to be done, it should be done by individuals without involving the association.
Kinsabina Sdn Bhd managing director Francis Goh, who is running for Shareda presidency, has said that he would seek judiciary review should be Government find it difficult to resolve the CL 999 years issue.
Ten An cited a developer in Kuala Lumpur who won the case against the government in reinstating its 999-year lease after subdividing the land. Although the court ruled in favour of the developer, the Government later fixed and made it a policy to grant 99-year lease on subdivided lands.
Meanwhile, Linda Wong Chung Hie pointed out that it is tough for a lady to stand out in associations, especially Sussan who works among contractors and developers.
Linda said when Susan asked her to run for the secretary-general post, she agreed because she has has seen how Shareda has grown under Susan’s leadership.
She pointed out that four years was insufficient to resolve the issues taken up by Susan, and pledged her support for Susan in running for a third term and the latter’s desire to complete her ongoing mission.
The Vision Team’s line-up comprises Datuk Robin Loh Hoon Loi for deputy president, Wong Ten An and Wong Chen Yee for vice presidents, Wong Chung Hie for secretary-general, Datuk Chong Hon Len @ Chong Hon Min as treasurer-general, as well as Willie Wong Chik Hing, Pengiran Saifuddin Pg Tahir, Koh Yong Siang and Lawrence Wong Gine Kong as council members.