The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) express concern with regard the dispute surrounding the Federal Government’s issuance of sports betting license.

The ACCCIM also noted with concern that various illegal gambling activities are becoming more rampant in Malaysia where the illegal gambling syndicates pervade to every corner of the society. In the absence of appropriate rules and regulations, the industry can evolve into an uncontrollable part of the economy, which is detrimental to Malaysian families and society as a whole. In view of this anomaly, the Federal Government has legalised horse betting, casinos and the lottery industry.

The legal gambling industry contributed enormously to the economy. According to the statistics, total tax revenue of Malaysia last year amounted to RM158.6 billion, and the gambling industry contributed RM3 billion or 2% of it. The revenue has been utilised for various public expenditure in the country. In Malaysia, 13,000 people are directly employed through the legal gambling industry, with a further over 6,700 indirect employees, resulting in a total of nearly 20,000 job opportunities.

Singapore, which opposed opening of casino for 45 years after independence, has now realised that the gambling industry, if properly regulated and controlled, could contribute greatly to the economy. Through its now legalised sports gambling, Singapore has received RM870 million in annual taxation avenue. Hong Kong, as Special Administrative Zone of China, has legalised sports betting through the Hong Kong Jockey Club, netting in $1.4b in annual revenue. China also permits Macao to continue developing its gambling industry. The regulated gambling industry in Macao is an important element contributing to its socio-economy stability.

The Federal Government, after 23 years of pondering, has resumed the issuance of sports betting license to curb the proliferation of illegal sports betting activities. Although ACCCIM has never supported nor encouraged people to gamble, it is of the view that if legal sports betting does not exist, existing gamblers will resort to bet through black markets, even without cash, resulting in exorbitant debts and fall prey to loansharks which will cause diverse social problems and ultimately upset national development. The government should strictly regulated the sports betting license, by legalising and regulating betting, the adverse impact of illegal gambling activities could be significantly reduced. Reckoning that the operating revenue of Malaysia’s illegal sports betting industry is between RM20 billion to RM 30 billion per year, the government could net in approximately RM1 billion to RM3 billion tax revenue.

The ACCCIM hope that no matter which company been granted the sports betting license, they can manage the license well and Government should ensure that the company contribute some portion of its profit to charity and education fund annually.

The ACCCIM call on all parties concerned to resolve the disputes on the issuance of sports betting license by giving preferential consideration to socio-economic interest of the nation.

09-06-2010

Press Statement by Tan Sri William Cheng
President of The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia
（31-3-2010）

NEW WAVE OF PRIVATISATION

The business community read with interest YAB Prime Minister's statement in Hong Kong that there will be a "new wave of privatisation".

Arising from the previous wave of privatisation, many new concepts have evolved from Public Private Partnership (PPP), Private Finance Initiative (PFI), Build Operate & Transfer (BOT) and Build Lease & Transfer (BLT). The over-riding principle of all these concepts within the ambit of Privatisation is the need for transparency and for bidding to be undertaken on open tender basis.

It is hoped that this new wave of privatisation will be premised on such principles and there will be no direct negotiations without being preceded with open tenders.

Government Linked Companies (GLCs) should participate in the bidding process pari pasu with all private-sector entities without any undue special considerations and should be strictly based on merits of submissions and competitiveness of bids.

Privatisation should result in genuine commercially viable undertakings. Privatised entities should operate as a genuine private-sector enterprise and should not become a monopoly and be accorded special terms or subsidies from the public purse. Privatisation should encourage competition and allow the consumers and users choices to select the best service providers and not be beholden to only one monopolistic privatised corporation.

ACCCIM would like to seek pro-active participation in developing the necessary guidelines for this new privatisation program.

Press Statement by Tan Sri William Cheng
President of The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia
（31-3-2010）

PROPOSED SECOND NORTH-SOUTH HIGHWAY

The business sector reads with much interest the proposal for a second North-South Highway to be promoted under the Private Finance Initiative scheme. ACCCIM fully supports this proposal to give the commercial sector an alternative and alleviate the congestion on the present North-South Highway. Efficient land transport and road networks are keystones for commerce and essential for productive and cost effective delivery of products and services especially for exports. It also serves to unlock potential land use and create values associated with it.

This second North-South Highway has been proposed as a private-sector project but its implementation has been delayed. It is incumbent upon the promoters to carry out feasibility studies and to bear the commercial risks. So long no public funding is involved and there is no recourse to the Government, this project should be positively supported and approved.

It is not unexpected that PLUS may react to this proposal citing that the current highway is still under-utilised. North-South Highway users do experience from time to time congestions at many sections of the highway causing frustrations and loss business and productivity. Expansion of capacities should be planned well ahead in order to avoid toll-payers from suffering delays and traffic congestions in the coming years. Besides, by having a second highway allow road users choice and create competition to ensure that highway concessionaires will constantly upgrade and improve their capacities and service in order to remain competitive.

Each new highway opens up the hinterland and allow developments to become viable. New towns can be created for new industrial and residential developments creating employment opportunities and economic activities contributing to economic growth.

ACCCIM fully supports the proposal for a second North-South Highway to spur growth and give road users alternatives and choice and encourage competition to enjoy the competitiveness in the cost of doing business.

The ACCCIM welcomes the decision made by Federal Court today to depart from its judgement made in the year 2000 in respect of the Adorna case which the Federal Court now say that it had made a “blatant and obvious” mistake. By this new landmark ruling, the ACCCIM believes that it is a victory for all landowners and hopes that it will put an end to all rampant land fraudulent cases.

The Adorna 2000 decision resulted in victims of land fraud being unable to recover their properties. That decision had been severely criticised. The contention was that it should not be allowed to stand. The Federal Court then might have unwittingly handed a carte blanche to conniving forgers.

In order to protect landowners and/or investors, ACCCIM had submitted memorandums to the Government to request for amendment to be made to the National Land Code and/or to review the judgement made in the Adorna case 2000. In 2007, ACCCIM had submitted a joint memorandum with The Bar Council of Malaysia, Real Estate and Housing Developers Association of Malaysia (REHDA), National House Buyers Association and FIABCI Malaysia Chapter, requested for the government to take appropriate action immediately.

ACCCIM thinks that the decision made by Federal Court today will help to improve the confidence and good image of the judiciary system and land administration system.

21-01-2010

Tan Sri William Cheng, President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) welcomes the keynote address by Y.A.B. Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia at the recent UMNO General Assembly which is considered as comprehensive, inspiring and emphasizing the interest of Malaysian society as a whole. The ACCCIM is particularly impressed by the Prime Minister's assertions that transcend racial boundary and stress on "1 Malaysia" spirit and express determination to transform UMNO as a party to serve all Malaysians irrespective of race, and as a party that encompasses equitable policies to emphasize on common acceptance, shared values and liberalization. ACCCIM believes this will further enhance solidarity and cooperation among all races, strengthen stability and social harmony, and pave the way for all Malaysians to progress together towards national prosperity.

ACCCIM commends the bold move by UMNO to make major amendments to it Constitution by abolishing the quota system and making it easier for members to contest for party high posts, and expand the number of members empowered to directly vote for top party positions from the present 2,510 to 146,500. The UMNO’s determination to rid the party of money politics is an important guiding principle that will pave the way to transform the party to be more transparent, liberal and democratic, and this initiative to reform should be emulated by other political parties.

The speeches presented by UMNO Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Wanita Chief Senator Dato' Sri Shahrizat binti Abdul Jalil are also perceived as moderate, and supportive of the concept of transformation and liberalization as promoted by Y.A.B. Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib, which aims to realise the ultimate principle of UMNO and Barison Nasional as mainstream ruling coalition that takes care of the welbeing of all Malaysians, and to build a truly fair and equitable society.

ACCCIM also welcomes the move by President of MCA, Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat and former Deputy President Dato’ Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek to close ranks and work as a team to strengthen and unite MCA, and overcome the problems confronting the leadership. With a unified MCA, ACCCIM hopes that the party can be reinforced in near future to refocus their attention on serving the people and regain the confidence and trust of the Chinese community, and the Malaysians in general.

24-10-2009