KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) has set up an East Coast Security Committee to provide input to the government or enforcement agencies on security matters.
Its president, Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah, said the committee is headed by Lahad Datu Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Mok Teng Sang, while Gan, who is also Semporna Chinese Chamber of Commerce president, is the vice chief of the committee.
The East Coast Security Committee also includes Kunak Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Pong Kim Wai as secretary, as well as Tawau Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Lo Su Fui, Sandakan Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Chia Hock Ak and Kudat Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Pak Chee Eng as committee members.
Gan made the announcement yesterday after chairing the first SUCCC executive and supervisory committee meeting after the election.
He said the East Coast Security Committee was set up following the abduction cases in Semporna, Lahad Datu and Kunak recently.
“SUCCC takes the kidnapping cases very seriously, especially the safety of the Chinese business community, which is why we formed this committee.
“This committee will communicate with the government or police (on security matters) on behalf of SUCCC in the future,” he said.
Apart from the East Coast Security Committee, SUCCC executive and supervisory committee members have also resolved to form a Youth Entrepreneur Committee, as well as a Tax Committee headed by Datuk Ricky Chang.
Gan said the Tax Committee played an important role for SUCCC to learn more about income tax, customs tax and Goods and Services Tax (GST), thus experienced accountants were appointed into the committee.
The committee members have also resolved to hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in Tawau on September 12 to table the SUCCC financial report and study loans report, both of which were not passed in the recent SUCCC annual general meeting (AGM) held in Labuan in July.
Gan said SUCCC would also be amending its constitution, especially provisions that were no longer relevant. A committee will be set up for this purpose and its members are appointed by Gan.
“I have suggested all Chinese chamber presidents review the constitution and provide their feedback to the committee,” he said, adding that any proposed amendments will have to be passed in the EGM on September 12.
SUCCC has also decided to hold the next AGM in Tawau as well as an installation ceremony for the newly-elected executive and supervisory committee members. However, the details have yet to be finalized.
Gan disclosed that SUCCC has hired a new full-time chief of executive secretaries who will report for duty on September 1.
“When I was re-elected as president, my aspiration is to bring SUCCC to greater heights and serve the business community. I do not have any other intentions,” he said.
Earlier on, Gan said all 22 Chinese chambers had attended the meeting, one of which was represented by a proxy.
He said the two-hour meeting was carried out in a smooth and peaceful manner.
Gan said there had been some minor friction during the SUCCC election, which he deemed as normal.
With the election over, Gan hoped that all committee members would let bygones be bygones.
“We should regroup and unite within SUCCC in order to safeguard the interest of the Chinese business community.
“Furthermore, we should cooperate with the government to bring development and prosperity to our State,” he said.
The meeting saw the appointment of honorary presidents, honorary advisors, legal advisors and members to various committees such as City Point Complex Building Committee, Tourism Committee, Agriculture Committee, Education and Culture Committee, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Human Resource Development Committee, Reforestation Joint Venture Project Committee and others.
Also present at the meeting were SUCCC supervisory committee chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Chong Nyuk Yong, SUCCC deputy president Lo Su Fui, SUCCC secretary general Datuk Ling Tiong Chai and SUCCC treasurer general Pong Kim Wai.