Federal  will be made aware of KDM issues

By Chris Maskilone

KOTA KINABALU:   Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Benard Dompok assured that the plight of the non-Malay Bumiputera business community, especially KDMs in Sabah, will continue to be raised at the Federal level.

Meeting the needs and addressing the problems faced by the KDM business community were important, particularly in the context of achieving the Vision 2020 goals, he said.

Officiating at the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (KCCI) Fifth Installation Night at the Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort here, Dompok said leaders representing the community at the Federal level want to see that the non-Malay Bumiputera business community could compete without having to be handicaps.

“The plight of the KDM businessmen has been heard by the Federal Government (and) the only thing now is how to hit the nail and reach the target.” he said.

The setting up of the special unit to monitor and coordinate the Bumiputera in Sabah and Sarawak under the Implementation and Coordinating Unit (ICU) in the Prime Minister’s Department reflected the Federal Government’s sensitivity to the needs of the native in terms of participation in the national development agenda.

However, Dompok reminded that at the end of the day it would be up to the business community themselves to work hard to achieve success in their businesses because the government can only do so much.

“In business as in other professions we need focus, we to know what we are offering and focus on what you are doing. I know some of you are successful. Successful must not necessarily mean ‘big’ but it can be ‘small but successful’.”

“Since you complain of not getting chances then it creates an impetus for you to show that you can do it,” he said, adding that they must have determination to succeed.

Dompok also advised the KCCI Supreme Council for the 2007-2010 term to discharge the duties entrusted to them with full responsibility and dignity because they have the faith of the community in general.

If something wrong were to happen in KCCI then it will also shame the community so you must be responsible.” he said.

Meanwhile, KCCI President Frederick Lojingki assured that the KCCI would continue to serve as a voice of the KDM business community to ensure their voice is being heard, problems recognized and acted upon by the relevant authorities.

He said KCCI was also working very hard to make the Federal and State governments aware of the need for a level playing filed for the KDM business community to enable them to compete better.

“All we want is what the Government has accorded to the Malay business in term of opportunities,” he said

Lojingki who is the third person to head KCCI since its inception 12 years ago said KCCI’s biggest challenge today was to create more awareness among the KDM business community that a bright future lies in their greater involvement in commerce, instilling an entrepreneurial spirit and create awareness of ample business opportunities in order to realised the noble objective of creating a viable KDM business community.

“KCCI believes that the time has come for the community to move away from the low productive sector of the economy, chiefly small-scale farming, to the more lucrative and challenging commercial and industrial enterprises.

During its 12 years in existence, KCCI had implemented many programmes to promote and enhance closer business relationship not only within the KDM business community but also with others.

“We are certainly not there yet but it is our ardent hope that through the activities of the KCCI, more KDM businessmen with unbending resolve and fierce commitment, will be able to overcome their shortcomings and succeed in business.” he said.

Lojingki said one of the crowning successes of the KCCI was the close cooperation and strategic alliances forged with top government leaders, agencies and departments both at the Federal and State levels.

“We are grateful to Dompok who has provided us guidance and assistance in various forms as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, “ he said, adding that KCCI was also thankful to Minister of Finance II Tan Sri Mohd Nor Yakcop for providing the chamber an immediate RM500,000 for its awareness programmes and subsequently being promised a specific allocation of RM800 million for the Bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak in next year’s budget.

Lojingki announced that KCCI had just purchased its own four-storey building where a KCCI Business Centre would be put up that could be used by members who do not wish to have an office for their businesses or outstation members as their address in the State capital.

A special purpose hall for a Business Training Centre would also be built as KCCI would focus and emphasise on skill and entrepreneurship training for members in the coming months and possibly Incubator Office Suites if needed for the benefit of members.

He also said that KCCI had declared the setting up of seven District Liaison Committees (DLCs) throughout the country to act as branches in order to decentralise the chamber’s operation s to better serve members.

The first launched was the Labuan DLC headed by Gedi Baching followed by the4 Kuala Lumpur DLC that would to be launched soon and headed by Datuk Lawrence Sinsua and the Keningau DLC headed by William Thomas Kokou.

Organising chairman Carl Moosom in his welcoming speech said the theme of the installation dinner “Network increases Your Networth” was apt since it provides the KDM businessmen opportunity to do networking and “it is not often that many eminent business leaders are gathered in one room”.

Also on hand were Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry Adviser, Datuk Celestine Ujang , KCCI advisers, Datuk Ajit Galun and Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh, Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Datuk Ahmad Ali Lope Abdul Aziz and Federation of Sabah Manufacturers President Datuk Wong Khen Thau.