KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) has increased the manpower of its secretariat with the aim to improving efficiency and foster closer cooperation amongst the 22 constituent chambers.
SUCCC president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah said the association has also recruited Chin Yen Sang as the chief executive secretary. Chin, who is equally familiar with associations and politics, will be in charge of the chamber’s official correspondences and notices.
“Chin has a good track record and impeccable moral conduct. I believe his experience will make SUCCC perform better,” Gan announced at a press conference here yesterday.
Chin will be assisted by SUCCC press and confidential secretary, Aivern Chong, and two executive secretaries, namely, Kapitan Lim Shim Min and Chang Yu Liang. Michelle Lee, Minnie Ng and Rose Pan are also among the staff of SUCCC secretariat.
Gan said this was his first step in realizing his pledge to transform SUCCC secretariat upon being re-elected to helm the association.
His second step is to consider upgrading the hard infrastructure of the secretariat, including providing a better working environment for the staff as the current workplace is a bit crowded.
“With such measures in place, I hope the 22 Chinese chambers can give their cooperation to SUCCC secretariat so that together, we can serve the Chinese business community in Sabah more effectively.”
On the income of SUCCC, Gan said the association only relied on the annual contributions from its 22 constituent chambers, which amounted to around RM22,000 yearly and RM80,000 from its joint venture shares.
At most, SUCCC will have between RM150,000 and RM170,000 in yearly income if some of the Chinese chambers contribute more, Gan said.
On the other hand, SUCCC secretariat’s expenditure is over RM30,000 monthly, meaning that the association is short of around RM10,000 every month to cover its expenses, he said.
“We will do whatever we can to cut costs and reduce our expenditure, like entertainment expenses,” he said.
Gan disclosed that SUCCC’s financial situation was in a deficit when he first took over as the president in his first term.
“We were over RM40,000 in debt, including RM30,000 in rental fees, printing fees, electricity charges and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia’s (ACCCIM) annual fee.
“But we pulled through, thanks to the contributions and support from the public.”
Furthermore, Gan expressed confidence that SUCCC and the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCA)’s joint venture project with a local developer, City Point Complex, would bring in millions of income for both the association with its car park and banquet hall when it is completed.
In fact, he said the ground breaking ceremony for the City Point Complex will be held within a month while the building will be completed in around three years.
Upon completion of the building, Gan said the 20 per cent of the income would be distributed equally among the 22 Chinese chambers to carry out welfare and education activities in their respective districts.
Also present at the press conference was SUCCC deputy treasurer general Ho Kim Chan.