Sabah leaders secure key national roles in Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce
KOTA KINABALU (July 28): The Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) has recently announced its latest national-level appointments, in which several representatives from the Sabah have successfully ascended to key central positions — fully showcasing the branch's growing prominence and strategic significance in the national business landscape.
These appointments are not only a high-level recognition of the Sabah team's past efforts but also symbolize Sabah's deepening strategic role in driving bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Malaysia and China.
In this round of appointments, MCCC Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau has been elected as Chairman of the MCCC National Business Sectors Committee. He will spearhead efforts to lead national business players in exploring new blueprints for Malaysia-China collaboration, promoting more diversified, higher-quality, and forward-looking economic engagement. His appointment signifies that Sabah's representatives are no longer confined to regional roles but have now risen to become key leaders in shaping national business strategies.
'This appointment not only grants me a broader platform to serve and support the national business community, but more importantly, it allows me to bring Sabah onto wider domestic and international business networks — helping attract more resources and investment into the region. This will benefit not only Sabah but also radiate to Sarawak and Brunei. I will continue to advocate for East Malaysia, ensuring we have a strong voice in the country's economic landscape and contribute dynamic regional energy to Malaysia-China cooperation,' said Dexter.
The post of Vice Chairperson of the Business Sectors Committee is held by Coral Chia, who will work closely with Dexter to elevate the committee into a more efficient, results-oriented collaboration platform.
A leader in the building materials sector and an active MCCC member, Coral has served in the national council for many years and played a key role in decision-making. Notably, her mother is Dato' See Meng Geok, MCCC's current Vice President, who has long worked alongside Datuk Lau Kok Sing in national-level affairs.
The strong collaboration between Coral and Dexter is expected to inject more innovation and synergy into the committee, enhancing its nationwide influence and effectiveness.
Dexter's appointment, MCCC Sabah's Founding President and Honorary Life Adviser, Datuk Lau Kok Sing, continues his role as National Affairs Advisor. With his extensive experience in chamber affairs, he will continue offering visionary input and strategic counsel for the chamber's future direction, policy formulation, and organizational development. His longstanding contribution to the growth of Malaysia-China trade relations makes him a pillar of stability for the national organization.
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Meanwhile, Datuk Michael Chin, also an Honorary Life Adviser and former MCCC Sabah President, has been appointed as a National Vice President of MCCC. This is a strong endorsement of his long-standing efforts in promoting Malaysia-China business exchanges, building business platforms, and advancing structured organizational governance.
As a tireless advocate of Sabah-China cooperation, he has played a key role in fostering deep enterprise-level engagement between both sides — acting as a vital bridge between regional and international markets.
Furthermore, senior Sabah member and legal representative JP Josephine Wan Wen Hadikusumo has been appointed as MCCC's National Internal Auditor. Her solid legal background and extensive professional expertise will help strengthen the chamber's overall financial governance mechanisms, enhance transparency and compliance, and ensure the organization maintains a high level of discipline and auditing standards while continuing to grow.
Commenting on these appointments, Dexter stated, 'the fact that the Sabah team has taken up several key national positions is not just an honor, but a responsibility. We will continue to uphold our spirit of professionalism, unity, and progress — not only speaking up for Sabah, but also working hand in hand with our counterparts across Malaysia to harness the strength of the Malaysian business community, seize opportunities from China's vast market, and inject fresh momentum into bilateral economic cooperation.'
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