Story &
pix by Rosli Abidin Yahya
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Hj Razali (fifth from right) retained the
presidency of the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce
and Industry while Prof Hj Kamaruddin bin Dato
Seri Paduka Hj Talib (third from right) is the new
Deputy President.
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Yesterday's AGM was also attended by a former
president, Dato Paduka Hj Abd Hapitz (fourth from
right), Pg Hjh Intan (third from right), HJ Mohd
Shah (second from right) and Dato Paduka Hj Abd
Razak Muhammad.
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Incumbent president of the Brunei Malay Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (DPPMB), Hj Razali bin Hj Johari,
retained his position as the leader of the oldest Malay
business organisation in Brunei after being challenged by
Pg Hj Abd Rahman bin Pg Hj Abbas, the deputy president and
Sheikh Abas bin Sheikh Mohamad, the deputy Secretary at
the Annual General Meeting held at the Anggerek Hotel in
Berakas yesterday.
Earlier, Hj Razali
delivered a long keynote address in which he apologised to
members for his shortfalls and that he needed more time to
implement all the chamber's projects as he was taking over
the presidency from an experienced local businessmen, Dato
Paduka Hj Abd Hapitz bin Pehin Laksamana Hj Abd Razak.
The long and detail
keynote address may have turned the tide in favour of Hj
Razali.
He said the time period
of three years is definitely not enough for him to oversee
the chamber's projects as stated in their "Pelan
Induk Kemajuan Sosio-Ekonomi DPPMB" or the DPPMB Key
Socio-economic Development Plan.
"The plan is in line
with His Majesty's vision of Rakyat Melayu as business
leaders and we have several businessmen in the chamber who
can be classified or in the process of being classified as
such.
"Businessmen like
Dato Paduka Hj bd Hafitz of Abd Razak Holdings and Pg Hj
Abd Rahman bin Pg Hj Abbas of SKBB Holdings can be
classified as business leaders already," he said.
Hj Razali promised the
members that the office of DPPMB will continue to be at
the Kompleks Purnama in Kiulap.
The chamber which pays
$1,200 per month for the office, has three full-time staff
with an overall payment of a maximum $2,300 per month in
salaries alone.
He said the government
has also agreed to lease them a piece of land in Kiulap
for 60 years at a cost of $277,081.72 with a view to
develop their own building.
"The chamber is now
offering members to buy shares towards fulfilling the
chamber's ambition of having its own building," he
said.
He said the proposed
economic recovery is only for short term and hoped for a
relaxation of procedures by financial institutions in
obtaining micro and macro credit loans.
"The Malays continue
to do business in small ways because they need financial
help do progress.
"For so long, it has
been difficult for the Malay small businessmen to obtain
micro-credit loans, (and) we will continue to see Malays
becoming stall operators by the roadside or riverbank
tamus," he said.
He said the 2002 National
Day celebration is a landmark for Malay businessmen as it
demonstrates their eagerness to unite to fight for their
own causes.
"Unity is not an
easy task because of mistrust amongst the local Malay
businessmen. If we manage to overcome our shortcomings
then the unity shall flourish," he said.
The meeting also cleared
the unpaid subscription fees by members totalling more
than $100,000 and agreed to slash the fee from $25 to $10
a month. However, the entrance fee for new members will
continue to be $250.
At the meeting, Prof Hj
Kamaruddin bin Dato Seri Paduka Hj Talib was elected
deputy president, Hj Ibrahim bin Hj Damit as
Secretary-General, Hj Ismail bin Hj Damit as Deputy
Secretary-General.
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