SCCCI elects Dr Gregory Hii as new president

SIBU: Dr Gregory Hii was elected as the new president of Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( SCCCI), defeating his rival Kapitan Lee Kung Kwong by one vote. The final tally was 22-21. In the election on Monday night, Dato Lau Cheng Kiong was elected deputy president with Ngu Ing Hong, Kong Hian Khim and So Teck Kee as vice presidents.

Other office- bearers chosen were Wong Ei Sing (general secretary), Yeo Keng Teck (Chinese secretary), Ting Ka Hua ( English secretary), Yong King Sung (treasurer) and Wong Tin Kwong (assistant treasurer).

The committee members comprised Penghulu Tiong Tung Uh, Kong Ket Dee, Chiew Kuan Heng, Chua Choun Tee, Wong Sing Wong, Clement Hu, Tony Hii, Tiong Chiong King, Sia How Teck, Teo Nging Poh, Ting Meng Tung and Tiong Hock Kieng.

Following his election, Dr Hii urged members to close ranks and move forward to bring SCCCI towards greater heights.

He said he would immediately set into motion his ‘9-Point Plan’’ aimed at ensuring a better living condition for people in Sibu, adding that a think tank would be formed for the purpose of monitoring the performance of the government.

Hii, who is also Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sarawak (ACCCIS) treasurer, said there was also a need to promote vocational and technical training besides tertiary education to better meet the industry’s requirement for technical expertise.

“With a university in Sibu, SCCCI can work with government agencies to establish large industrial estates to create higher paying jobs in the manufacturing sector for locals,” he said.

“I will also explore and develop new business opportunities, for instance, in Indonesian Kalimantan hinterland, to complement our current concentration with People’s Republic of China,” he added.

Economic-wise, Dr Hii said he would set up the young entrepreneur chapter/section to encourage entrepreneurship among youths. He said he would also help facilitate and promote e- commerce and e- entrepreneur start-ups, which are the growth area of commerce.

“I will look into the possibility of increasing SCCCI membership by 90 per cent,” he said.