KKCCCI deputy president to go for top post

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From left, Chong, Su, Datin Mary Su and another KKCCCI staff at the press conference.

KOTA KINABALU: The deputy president of Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI), Datuk John Su Haw Tieng, announced that he will contest for the presidential seat of the chamber in next month’s election.

In a press conference here yesterday, Su said KKCCCI president Datuk Seri Panglima Sari Nuar JP had requested Su to lead the chamber as the latter could no longer do so due to his health condition.

“I feel that I have the responsibility to take on this task,” said Su who is also the acting president of KKCCCI.

Su said he had announced his decision to contest in the committee meeting on Thursday evening, and had gained the support of many committee members who attended the meeting.

He added that Sari, who has been the president of KKCCCI for 22 years, is recuperating in Hong Kong since June this year.

In September this year, Su, together with KCCCCI vice president Datuk William Chu, secretary general Datuk Chong Choon Kim, management committee members Datuk Peter Lee Khun Choi, Datuk Ng Song Chuan @ Lai Su, and Lee Pong Choi visited Sari in Hong Kong. At that time, Sari had said that he would not be able to lead KKCCCI due to his health condition.

“Datuk Sari Nuar asked me to take on the responsibility in leading KKCCCI in front of those who were present.

“After much consideration, I think that I, as the present deputy president, should bear this responsibility,” Su said.

He will be contesting in the 36th committee election for the 2013-2015 term.

Su added that KKCCCI was established in 1911, and a strong foundation had been laid by those before him in the past century.

He hoped that his peers and members would work together in strengthening KCCCCI.

The nomination for the 36th committee of KKCCCI will be held on November 14, while the polling will be held on November 25 if there are members contesting for the president or committee posts.

Currently, KKCCCI has more than 400 eligible members.

Su said he had served in KKCCCI for 43 years and hoped to reform the chamber to preserve its existing glory.

Asked if he has worked out his desired candidate for the post of deputy president, seven vice presidents and the committee, Su admitted that there were many good candidates and would lead the current committee in contesting.

Su, 89, is in the automobile trading business. He joined KKCCCI in 1969 and has served as the chief of Industry and Commerce Sub-committee, treasurer, vice secretary, treasurer of welfare committee, and vice president in the chamber.