MCCC YEC Sabah Chapter chairman passes baton to successor
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Dexter Lau has expressed his intention not to continue to serve for a second term as chairman of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce, Young Entrepreneur Committee (MCCC YEC) Sabah Chapter, irrespective of the committee’s Constitution for an allowance of two consecutive terms as chairman.
Lau’s chairmanship comes to term by the end of March 2022, having served the Youth Council since 2019. His decision has been formally submitted to the Chairman of MCCC Sabah, Michael Chin and Secretary-General Michael Pan.
Lau, the Executive Director of Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad, is a Barrister At law, admitted as member of Lincolns Inn, Sabah and Sarawak Bar council. He is an alumnus at both Kelloggs School of Management, University of Northwestern (USA), as well as Wharton Business school, University of Pennsylvania (USA), having studied Business Administration and Management. Both schools are renowned top 10 business schools in the world.
Lau explained that he was mandated to set up the MCCC YEC Sabah three years ago, making him the founder and first term chairman of the committee.
MCCC YEC was established with the objective to offer a platform to network and share knowledge and best practices among the young elite entrepreneurs of Sabah. Its members range from those whom are leading a family business, as well as those who have established their own thriving business within the industry.
Under Lau’s leadership, the MCCC YEC Sabah currently comprises 50 young entrepreneurs, with a total combined business revenue of RM6 billion. Membership to join the Youth Council is strictly by invitation and / or admitted through stringent process, in order to safeguard the quality of each individual member as well as the council as a whole. The council’s membership also serves to avoid the unethical solicitation of businesses, thereby building a healthier competitive business culture within the vast industries of Sabah.
The platform that MCCC YEC Sabah offers, include collaborations and learning opportunities in the sector of leadership training, management skills, politics, family, philatrophy, as well as personal growth development matters.
To date, this MCCC YEC is the only one that offers a robust and holistic perspective, with a focused objective to equip its young members to weather challenges from both business and personal perspectives, ultimately enabling its members to accomplish their life goals and ambitions.
When asked why not continue to serve for a second term as chairman of the Youth Council, Lau said he firmly believed that his priority is the growth of the council as well as the members within. He believes that passing the baton to his successor, will allow progression and further growth for the MCCC YEC as well for the chamber as a whole.
Lau added that he is confident that the MCCC YEC members, especially those identified candidates for succession, have been groomed and developed to take on greater roles, opportunities and contribution within the MCCC YEC and the chamber of commerce itself.
Lau has dedicated the past three years developing the Youth Council members. The training intensity has elevated the capabilities, resilience and intelligence of individual members tremendously.
“I hope I have developed and taught members the technique to fish and feed themselves and their family; not to be fed only.
“Today, from my observation, I can confidently say that the Youth members are ready to materialise their goals and ambitions, because of their focal strength and capabilities.”
He said the MCCC YEC Sabah would dissolve in April next year, followed by the election in May. The Youth Council consists of 15 members.
On a separate note, Lau will be defending his position as Deputy Chairman of MCCC Sabah.
He has also made an official recommendation to the Chairman of MCCC Sabah to restructure the chamber committee, by rewarding committee members who have dedicated and contributed to the chamber and dropping those who have not contributed to the chamber during their tenure.
Lau disclosed that six potential candidates have been identified to take over his chairmanship of the Youth Council, as well as to take up greater roles within the chamber of commerce. They are James Wong, Samson Chu, Leo Liew, Shawn Tan, Ivan Chai and Neilson Chang.
While these six potential candidates were nominated for the Youth chairman post, Lau said they could run for higher leadership positions at the MCCC Sabah and MCCC national levels.
Wong is the Managing Director of JWA Design & Build Sdn Bhd. He obtained his Bachelor of Architectural Studies subsequently Masters in Architecture and in Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
Chu is the Director of Jesselton Waterfront Holdings. He obtained his Bachelor of Commerce in University of Western Australia. Samson is also a certified Chartered Accountant from Institute Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA).
Liew is the Managing Director of 616 Sdn Bhd. He completed his Bachelor of Commerce (Major in Finance) in Curtin University. Leo subsequently obtained his Masters in International Marketing in University of West London.
Tan is the Director of Myxo Company Sdn Bhd. He obtained his Bachelor of Civil and Structural Engineering (1st Class Honours) in Curtin University, Perth Australia.
Chai is the Director of Radiotronic Sdn Bhd. He obtained his professional technical academy within the fashion industry in Singapore.
Chang is the Executive Director of R&N Timber Industries Sdn Bhd. He obtained his Bachelor of Agriculture in Newcastle University of The United Kingdom.