MBCC President Oknha Tan Khee Meng speaking at the gala dinner on Friday. KT/Pann Rachana
The Malaysian Business Chamber in Cambodia (MBCC) held a gala dinner in conjunction with its 2023–2024 annual meeting on Friday at Oakwood Premier Phnom Penh.
The event, presided over by MBCC president Oknha Tan Khee Meng, was attended by MBCC members and featured Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia Shaharuddin Onn as the special guest of honour.
In his address, Oknha Tan presented an overview of MBCC’s achievements over the past year. He reported that the financial status of the organisation has been very healthy, with no losses recorded while successfully organising numerous events.
“Our financial status in the past year has been strong, and we have been able to host a variety of vibrant and impactful events,” said Oknha Tan.
Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia Shaharuddin Onn addressing the annual MBCC dinner on Friday. KT/Pann Rachana
Among the highlights for MBCC’s events in 2023 and 2024 were the celebrations of Hari Merdeka, a National Day reception, Deepavali dinner and Chinese New Year. These events were organised in order to strengthen the Malaysian community in Cambodia and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Malaysia.
On the business front, MBCC organised several key events, including the Tax Forum 2023 and notably the Cambodian-Malaysia Business Forum in Kuala Lumpur, which was attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
All of the events have provided valuable platforms for business networking and collaboration between Malaysian and Cambodian enterprises.
In addition to its business activities, MBCC has been actively contributing to social causes. The 4,000 Riel Campaign, in cooperation with Wing Bank and Khmer Times, raised $10,000 in donation to the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) for landmine clearance efforts.
“Our partnership with CMAA reflects our commitment to supporting vital humanitarian initiatives in Cambodia,” Oknha Tan emphasised.
With the aim of promoting good health through sports, MBCC organised various joint sporting events, including the Friendly Golf Tournament and the inaugural Malaysian Ambassador’s Football Shield Tournament at Chea Sim Chroy Changvar High School.
The football tournament aimed to foster strong bonds of friendship between Malaysians and Cambodians through sports diplomacy. Twenty teams participated, showcasing sportsmanship, camaraderie and talent. CIMB Bank of Cambodia emerged victorious in the finals with a 2-0 win against NagaWorld, while TNB secured third place against Maybank.
In his speech Ambassador Shaharuddin expressed his pleasure over MBCC’s progress and active engagement in Cambodia’s development.
“I am pleased with the progress and active engagement by MBCC in contributing to Cambodia’s development. Their efforts in business, community service and sports have significantly strengthened the ties between our two countries,” said Ambassador Shaharuddin. “I am also proud that the Embassy of Malaysia in Cambodia has been appointed honorary advisor to the MBCC.”
One of the oldest business associations registered in Cambodia, MBCC was rooted in the first meeting of representatives of Malaysian businesses operating in the Kingdom in 1993, under the advice of the then Malaysian ambassador, Dato Mohd Deva Ridzam. In the same year, it took on its first shape as the Malaysia Club, and Teh Sing was elected as the first president.
The club focused on social events, celebrating Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and Merdeka as a way to get Malaysians living in Cambodia together and occasionally discuss business matters.
Then, in mid-1997, Dato Md. Kamal Ismaun, then Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia, suggested that the Malaysia Club should be more business-focused to help existing Malaysian businesses tackle issues they faced and lend a helping hand to new Malaysian businesses setting up operations in Cambodia.
On July 2, 1997, at the residence of the Malaysian Ambassador, the Malaysian Business Council of Cambodia was formed, and Chris Ho, from the Holiday Villa Hotel, was voted president. This marked an auspicious occasion, as it was the first time any foreign business association was established in Cambodia.
On August 1, 2019, MBCC changed its name from Malaysian Business Council of Cambodia to Malaysian Business Chamber of Cambodia before the present one.