MEMBERS of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to remove remnants of a Chinese clan-based representation system when electing leaders.
In a historic move at its annual general meeting, members representing about 90 corporations and trade associations voted to abolish seven seats in the 66-member governing council that had been designated specifically for representatives of the SCCCI's seven founding dialect groups. The seven are the Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hainanese, Sanjiang, and the Meixian and Dapu (both Hakka).
There were 63 members who turned up for the vote at the Hill Street headquarters of the SCCCI, which is the oldest and largest business group here. It has a total membership of 4,000 Chinese corporations and individuals, and 133 trade associations.
The Business of Politics and Ethnicity: A History of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The proposal by SCCCI president Teo Siong Seng was one of a number of changes to the group's Constitution tabled on Thursday.
Others included reducing the size of the council to 56; and placing an age limit of 70 on those who can serve on the council. Also proposed was raising the age limit of student members from 21 to 25; and the creation of associate memberships for companies and trade associations that are overseas.
The proposals were carried by a vote of 61 for and two against.But the focus of attention was the seven council seats. Although a revamp of the election system was made in 1993 to have council members elected on merit, the seven seats were retained for the sake of continuity and tradition.
Chamber of Commerce Management
Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain Membership
