IT’S A DEAL: Lu (centre) and Choo (third right) exchange the signed agreement witnessed by Wong (fourth right) and others. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung
KUCHING: The Federation of Kuching-Samarahan Chinese Associations finally has a permanent secretariat after squatting at a rented shoplot for 35 years.
Its president Temenggong Lu Kim Yong said his committee members had unanimously agreed to purchase a three-storey commercial shophouse at a new commercial centre in Pending for RM4.6 million to be their permanent home.
“Although the shophouse costs RM4.6 million, we will have to do some renovation works, which should bring up the total cost to about RM5 million,” he said during the sales and purchase agreement signing ceremony at Thian Court here yesterday.
The federation inked the deal with Timberland Group, which was represented by its chairman Jeffrey Choo.
Upon the signing of the agreement, the federation paid a deposit of RM100,000.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh was present to witness the signing ceremony.
Lu urged members and affiliated members to chip in for the project so that the federation could materialise its long cherished dream.
As of yesterday, he said, the federation had raised over RM1.8 million for the new building fund.
Lu said the federation had attempted for years to apply for state land, but the state government kept quiet.
He said he was aware that RM5 million was a big amount for a non-governmental organisation and non-profit organisation like the federation, but expressed optimism that more financial support would come from the government, the private sector, affiliated members and generous patrons.
“The new building will have ample space to cater for conferences and various activities, apart from serving as an adequate administrative centre.
“We are confident we will be able to serve our members and the general public, particularly the Chinese community, even better with this new home.”