KKCCCI committees pledge to start memorial hall project

KOTA KINABALU: The newly installed 38th Management and Supervisory Committees of Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) have pledged to start the construction of Chinese Cultural Heritage Memorial Hall at Mile 2.5, Jalan Tuaran within three years.

KKCCCI president Datuk Michael Lui stressed the need to appreciate the contributions made by the forefathers to Sabah.

“Unfortunately, we do not have a space to celebrate the history of Sabahan Chinese, which we feel is important.

“Through the Chinese Cultural Heritage Memorial Hall, we can conduct more historical research and publish books related to the contribution of the Chinese in Sabah,” he said at the installation ceremony of the 38th Management and Supervisory Committees of KKCCCI on Tuesday.

The event was graced by Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew.

Founded in 1911, Lui said KKCCCI had been established for 108 years.

He said the main objective of the 38th term of Management and Supervisory Committees was to transform the chamber into a systematic administrative organization to meet the needs of the society.

“We must move with the times, constantly improve ourselves, adopt modern technology, strengthen ties and promote exchanges.”

As such, he said the office bearers have come up with a new motto, ‘New Era, New Approach and New Journey’.

With the rapid development and changing information technology, he said KKCCCI must transform and broaden the channels utilized by the chamber for its development in the new era.

Meanwhile, Lui said the new approach involve training new generation of leaders.

Additionally, he said his team would embark on more new missions, or new journeys, that placed equal emphasis on innovation and preservation of heritage, as well as formulate strategies for the development of the Chinese community.

On another note, he said KKCCCI would strengthen its Commerce and Industry Sub-Committee, Tourism and Technology Sub-Committee and Primary Commodities Sub-Committee to promote the industrial and commercial sector.

Furthermore, Lui said the chamber would establish a platform to integrate resources which promotes industrial and commercial activities, and startup entrepreneurship training with the aim to encourage youths to kick start their own business and nurture young entrepreneurs.

With that in mind, he said KKCCCI was planning to set up a Young Entrepreneurs Committee.

“We hope there will be many talented, creative and ambitious young entrepreneurs joining this sub-committee in order to utilize their business talents and abilities to contribute to the development of KKCCCI.”

He also said the chamber would continue to develop the eight schools under its management.

“We are the Chinese organization which manages the most schools in the nation.

“We are proud that many of the schools under our management are over 100 years old.”

On that note, Lui urged the school boards’ chairmen to set up a history corner to commemorate the efforts and sacrifices the ancestors have contributed towards the development of the schools.