No three-way fight, says uncommitted SUCCC head
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah yesterday guaranteed that there will be no three-cornered fight for the president’s post in the election today (July 31) whether he contests or not.
Gan has yet to disclose whether he would seek for another term, saying that he would make the announcement before the nomination today.
“Whether I will contest or not (for SUCCC presidency), I can guarantee that there will be absolutely no three-cornered fight. And, I have not announced that I am not contesting (for the post),” he said.
If he is not contesting, Gan said he would explain the reason at the annual general meeting (AGM) cum election today.
“I am not an irresponsible person. My principle is that we must have a proper beginning and end,” he told the media after the AGM preparation meeting at Wisma KKCCCI here yesterday.
On the election, Gan said SUCCC life honorary president Tan Sri Andrew Liew Sui Fatt and Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui have both announced their decision to contest for the president’s post.
Gan said he was heartened by the fact that both Liew and Lui have adopted a democratic, fair and non-aggressive approach in facing the contest, without resorting to personal attacks.
He said all member chambers, including Liew and Lui, cared about SUCCC.
“Whoever wins or loses is up to the decision of the member chambers. If I am not contesting, I will congratulate whoever that wins the president’s post. I have given my blessing to Tan Sri (Andrew Liew), I also give my blessing to Lui,” he said.
On another note, Gan said former president of United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK), John Lim, was appointed as the SUCCC Election Committee (EC) chairman.
SUCCC member chambers will be electing the president, deputy president, four vice presidents, supervisory committee chairman and two supervisory committee members at the election today. The secretary-general, vice secretarygeneral, treasurer-general and vice treasurer-general posts will be appointed by the president.
Meanwhile, Liew reiterated his stance that he would only contest for SUCCC presidency if Gan is not seeking for another term.
“If Datuk Seri Gan is vying for the post, I will withdraw from the contest. I will not break my promise,” he said.
Lui, on the other hand, said he would face the election in a calm manner. He said it was an honour for KKCCCI to be chosen as the host for SUCCC AGM cum election during the AGM in Semporna last year.
Lui also thanked Gan for his contribution of RM5,000 for the event.
Also present at the AGM preparation meeting were SUCCC deputy president Lo Su Fui, supervisory committee chairman cum Beaufort Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Seri Panglima Chong Nyuk Yong, secretary general cum Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Datuk Ling Tiong Chai, and presidents of the member chambers.