KKCCCI member criticized over ‘irresponsible’ statement
KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui yesterday took Datuk Dr Ling Hie Sing to task for allegedly making irresponsible and false statements to the media that could potentially tarnish the reputation of the chamber.
Ling said he disagreed with swapping the disputed 7,200 square feet of land adjacent to SJK(C) Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu for a one-hectare piece of state land next to SJK(C) Chung Hwa Likas.
He claimed that Lui did not show any official documents from the government on the land swap during the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) last year where the motion to accept the state government’s offer was passed.
Ling also claimed that Lui only informed KKCCCI members verbally in its recent annual general meeting (AGM) on April 11 without showing official proof that the relevant documents have been submitted to the Lands and Surveys Department for the issuance of land title.
In response, Lui said Ling had never requested to see the documents in the AGM, and neither was the latter being prevented from speaking out in the meeting.
Lui said he had answered members’ queries to the best of his abilities and assured that he has all the documents in files.
To ensure transparency, Lui said he called for a joint Management and Supervisory Committee meeting on March 19, which Ling attended, to endorse the secretary, treasurer and sub-committees’ reports, that were then emailed and posted to all members.
As a committee member of KKCCCI, Lui said Ling should not have publicly criticized the chamber.
Since taking over the helm of KKCCCI in 2013, Lui said he always practised transparency and abided by the procedures when performing his duties.
“All decisions are made jointly by the committee. Those who did not attend the Management Committee, Supervisory Committee or sub-committee meetings would receive minutes of the meeting.
“The AGM booklets distributed to members every year clearly states the status and progress of KKCCCI’s affairs.”
Lui said the chamber would call for an emergency Presidential Council meeting after which a press conference would be held.