Association members concerned about irregularities

24 April 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Elderly members of the Kota Kinabalu Senior Citizens’ Association have voiced concerns over suspected financial irregularities and the potential closure of their organisation.

Ballroom dancer Wong Nyuk Min revealed that the Sabah State Registrar of Societies (JPPM) issued a warning to the association on 23 May 2024, advising them to rectify three areas of non-compliance.

This followed an inspection conducted by JPPM under Sections 63 and 64 of the Societies Act 1966, Wong explained.

In response, Wong has announced his intention to contest the presidency in the association’s biennial election scheduled for 26 April 2025, pledging to restore proper governance.

He will be running against Tony Lai, who is aligned with the current President, Robert Chang, who has announced he will not seek re-election.

“The current leadership has been opaque about the association’s financial status,” Wong stated. “We have challenged them to be transparent and to hand over the accounts, or engage an independent third party to conduct a review.”

He added that many members are dissatisfied with the current committee, which has caused divisions within the organisation.

According to Wong, JPPM found that the incumbent committee’s notice for the upcoming general meeting was not in accordance with the organisation’s constitution. Additionally, they failed to submit the 2023 annual return and did not seek approval for a property officer, he said.

Failure to adhere to the constitution and the Societies Act could result in the association’s closure.

Former President of the Sabah Association of Senior Citizens (2004–2008), Datuk Robert Foo, has withdrawn from the upcoming election, leaving Wong and Lai as the two candidates vying for the presidency.

“After assessing the situation, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy to support Wong,” Foo explained. “I believe we need a new leadership team to guide the association forward.”

He also expressed his desire to help members foster harmony and unity so they can fully enjoy the benefits offered by the organisation.

Additionally, former accountant Stephen Tsen has been nominated for the vice-presidency.