Oknha Tan Khee Meng handing over a mock cheque for $77,700 to a CMAA representative. KT/Yorn Soveith
The Malaysian Business Chamber of Cambodia (MBCC) adopted a more aggressive approach towards strengthening relationships with the Malaysian Embassy in Cambodia as well as with various Royal Government of Cambodia Ministries and departments under the new leadership of Oknha Tan Khee Meng.
Oknha Tan, more fondly known as KM Tan, took over the helm of MBCC at its 2021 AGM which was held online due to the raging pandemic and the untimely demise of the previous president, Teh Sing.
Under his leadership, the changes in MBCC directions were evident from the start as Oknha Tan straight away got to work by setting up a secretariat in his office to handle MBCC affairs and play a significant role in organizing events, both social as well as with the Royal Government departments.
LTG Hun Manet being escorted by Oknha Tan, Ambassador Eldeen and Senior Minister Ly Thuch upon arrival at NagaWorld for the Gala Charity Dinner. KT/Chor Sokunthea
The most significant was the Investment dialogue with the Council for Development of Cambodia (CDC) whereby MBCC, in collaboration with CDC, organised a one day event to get insights into the new Investment Law as well as have a lively dialogue and question and answer sessions with H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister and Secretary General of the CDC.
In the words of H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea, the online and physical presence of attendees was probably the biggest yet in the various dialogues with other chambers and associations and Oknha Tan’s ability to get Malaysian Business Chamber members from Asean countries to tune in via zoom to the conference is a significant effort which showcase his commitment to engage with the Government on new laws and regulations which affects investments and business.
A forum on the Double Tax Agreement between Cambodia and Malaysia was also organsied by MBCC and well attended by Malaysians in Cambodia as well as in Malaysia via zoom. In addition, MBCC under Oknha Tan, responded swiftly to the needs of female park rangers of the Ministry of Environment by handing over essential supplies to the brave rangers who protect our forests and resources.
Oknha Tan, Ambassador Eldeen Husaini, Senior Minister Ly Thuch and Mohan Bandam. KT/Chor Sokunthea
Oknha Tan earlier had also led several groups of MBCC members and associates to contribute essentials to the Ministry of Health during the height of the pandemic, risen to the assistance of the Malaysian Embassy when the embassy went on a flood donation drive and organised various get togethers and dialogues with private sectors.
In April this year, MBCC also co-organised the visit of more than 50 companies from the SME delegation of Malaysia to Cambodia where many MoU’s were signed, business matching was achieved and even up to early August, MoU’s were continued to be signed as a result of the visit. MBCC also responded to the calls for demining efforts by the corporate sector with Oknha Tan leading MBCC to be the first business chamber to organise a 500 pax Charity Gala Dinner on August 1 to raise funds for demining efforts of almost 40 hectares of land in Kong Pisei district, Kampong Speu province.
“We had to do this, and do it quick as we wanted to set the pace and serve as the spark to private sector to do more for demining efforts in the country instead of offering mere lip service. Our dinner also was graced by the future Prime Minister of Cambodia, LTG Hun Manet who stayed till the end of the event and showed his warmth when he had selfies with the participants.
“We raised $67,700 from the dinner and LTG Hun Manet gave a personal donation of $10,000 to make the final amount of $77,700 which was handed over to CMAA 1st Vice President Senior Minister Ly Thuch on August 18 this year,” he said.
Oknha Tan presenting a memento to H.E. Sok Chenda, Secretary General, CDC, Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister. KT/Yorn Soveith
The Ambassador of Malaysia to Cambodia, Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim has said on numerous occasions that MBCC is close to his heart as his relationship with the exco members was excellent and they never fail to surprise with their programmes and initiatives such as the Charity Gala Dinner, their Annual General Meeting where Senior Minister Ly Thuch made an emotional plea for assistance and MBCC responded within a month with the dinner which raised a significant amount of money for land mine clearing efforts in Cambodia.
“We also partnered with MBCC to host senior government officials, starting with the Director General of Tax, H.E. Kong Vibol, who is also a Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister for focus sessions on addressing specific issues affecting Malaysian businesses.
We will continue to collaborate with MBCC to organise more of such events and bring the business fraternity closer to the Cambodian government as we must engage with the authorities at all times to ensure we are free as much as possible to carry out our activities,” Ambassador Eldeen said. Oknha Tan said that MBCC is committed to achieving the ESG and CSR goals and will take on more of such activities in future as these activities have led to a rise in membership at all levels. The members numbers have increased by more than 30 percent in the past year and every week we receive more applications and are approved almost instantaneously.
“More Malaysian entities such as the SME association of Malaysia and other business groups are approaching us to sign MoU on various levels of collaboration to showcase Malaysia’s ability in various sectors and how MBCC can help them penetrate Cambodia,” he said.