Liew (seventh right) presents an invitation letter to Gan while Ling (fourth left), Yap (fifth left) and others look on.
KOTA KINABALU: Association leaders should reflect high morality, wisdom and selflessness in serving the community, said Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah. .
Gan said leaders should not use associations for their personal gain, nor should they influence members to support any political parties.
“I’m not after monetary gain or titles serving in SUCCC,” he said when meeting members from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce Papar, led by its president Datuk Liew Siew Kian here yesterday.
The purpose of the meeting was to invite Gan as the guest-of-honour at the chamber’s installation ceremony in September this year.
At his age, Gan said he should be enjoying his time with his children and grandchildren, some of whom are overseas.
“But I sacrificed it for SUCCC. I’m happy if what I succeed in what I want to do.”
Noting the number of youths in the chamber’s management and supervisory councils, Gan urged them to have the drive to work harder especially as community leaders as it was a responsibility.
Gan said he intended to include more members from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce Papar in SUCCC working groups and hoped that the members would expand their reach beyond Papar.
“Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) has recommended a few of its members to serve in SUCCC.
“We want talents in SUCCC to strengthen the united chamber.”
During the meeting, Gan also praised Chinese Chamber of Commerce Papar for displaying teamwork and good organization. He added that Liew, despite being a low profile leader, has contributed a lot to SUCCC.
Gan further briefed the chamber members on the present undertakings of SUCCC, including the joint venture between SUCCC and The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association Kota Kinabalu to erect a 16-storey multi-purpose building in Karamunsing, of which both associations would receive RM1 million cash each upon signing the contracts with the developer. The building will also serve as a future source of income for both associations.
Gan also informed the members that SUCCC would adopt a consultative approach to negotiate with Veetar Kinabalu Plantations Sdn Bhd for a more reasonable return in its agriculture and reforestation joint ventures.
He said negotiation was underway to convert SUCCC’s Preference Shares to Ordinary Shares for the united chambers to yield a higher and more reasonable return, between RM600,000 and RM700,000 annually.
Meanwhile, Liew commended Gan for uniting SUCCC constituent chambers upon his election as the president.
He said the Tuaran Chinese Chamber of Commerce installation ceremony recently reflected the unity among SUCCC members under the leadership of Gan, as between 16 and 17 of the 24 chambers in Sabah attended the event.
Liew said Papar has a population of between 80,000 and 100,000, and less than eight per cent of the population, or around 5,000, are Chinese.
He added that Chinese Chamber of Commerce Papar encompassed a large area, from Lok Kawi to Bongawan.
On the installation ceremony, Liew said all 24 presidents of the Chinese chambers under SUCCC would be invited to the event.
Also present at the meeting were SUCCC secretary-general Datuk Ling Tiong Chai and SUCCC treasurer general Datuk Yap Yiw Sin.