Andrew Liew elected as new SUCCC president after landslide win
KOTA KINABALU: Kinabatangan Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Tan Sri Andrew Liew Sui Fatt was elected as the new president of Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce ( SUCCC) yesterday.
Liew, who is also the life honorary president of SUCCC, defeated his sole competitor, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui in a landslide victory with 16 votes against six votes.
Former SUCCC president cum Semporna Chinese Chamber of Commerce ( SCCC) president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah announced his decision not to seek for another term before the election commenced yesterday.
Meanwhile, Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Datuk Ling Tiong Chai was elected as the deputy president of SUCCC, while Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Wong Kii Yii, Ranau Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Jimmy Tham, Sandakan Chinese Chamber of Commerce chief delegate Chia Hock Ak and SCCC chief delegate Peter Gan Ka Hock secured the four vice president posts.
A total of 190 delegates from 22 member chambers attended the SUCCC Annual General Meeting cum 41st election of the office bearers for the term 2017 to 2020 at Wisma KKCCCI here yesterday. Beluran Chinese Chamber of Commerce was absent at the meeting.
Liew said he was happy with the results and thanked the chambers for their trust and support, adding that the number of votes he secured was within his expectation.
He also expressed his gratitude to Gan, a leader whom he respected very much and learned a lot from.
Liew disclosed that Gan had expressed his wish to have him helm the association around six months ago.
“Gan has kept his promise. And I have kept my promise. “I have stood by my principle that I would only contest if Gan was not vying for the president’s post,” he told the media after the election.
In the next three years of his tenure, Liew said he would restructure SUCCC and create a united team.
“I will address the issues faced by the Chinese business community and handle all matters in a transparent manner irrespective of the size of the member chambers.”
On the appointment of a secretary-general and treasurergeneral, Liew said he would discuss the matter with his team before reaching a decision.
On the other hand, Beaufort Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Seri Panglima Chong Nyuk Yong was retained as the Supervisory Committee chairman while Datuk Goh Wak Kheng and Tiu Fui Khiong were elected as Chong’s committee members.
The secretary- general, vice secretary- general, treasurergeneral and vice treasurer general posts are to be appointed by the president.
The election committee yesterday was chaired by John Lim, who is the former president of United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu. He was assisted by lawyer George Ngui and Chu Ka Whye.