RoS probing Kunak Chinese chamber for alleged Society Act violation

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Registrar of Societies (RoS) is investigating the Kunak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCCI) to determine if the Chamber had violated the 1966 Society Act.

The investigation was initiated after the ROS received an official written complaint from a KCCCI member in March this year, and upon checking the chamber’s constitution, the authority concluded there is a need to further investigate the case.

According to news reports in the various local Chinese dailies on Sunday, KCCCI had amended its constitution and received approval from ROS in December 2010. These amendments included amending the term of the President and Treasurer posts from two years to three years, and a person may not hold the same post for more than three terms.

However, after the Chamber held their installation of office bearers for 2017-2020, the member found out that its president, Pong Kim Wai, was holding the post for the fourth term.

Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) also received an official written complaint from the member in late July. And in view of its imminent AGM and election, its then president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah had written to the ROS for verification on this matter, and received a reply on the eve of its AGM and election.

However, it was believed that Gan decided not to disclose this matter during the Preparatory Meeting for the AGM and during the AGM itself, as the matter is still under investigation, as well as to safeguard the interest of the members and to ensure a smooth AGM and election.

RoS enforcement chief Mahar Zemi Jawawi when contacted confirmed the above but refused to elaborate, citing that the case is still under investigation.

He however advised all registered societies in the state to strictly comply with the 1966 Society Act, or face stern action of being deregistered under Sector 13 of the Act.

Meanwhile, it was reliably learnt that the ROS is currently in the final stage of wrapping up the investigation and will soon make a decision on the fate of KCCCI.