Kota Kinabalu: The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) is set to benefit from the revenue generated from Wisma Tionghua when the building is ready in six years’ time.
USCCAKK President Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen said the association and Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC), as the landowners of a prime land in Karamunsing, have signed a joint venture agreement with Cahaya Riang Sdn Bhd to develop Wisma Tionghua.
“Following the signing of the joint venture agreement with Cahaya Riang Sdn Bhd on Sept 23, 2025, we hope to finally have our own building in six years that will generate revenue for the association,” she said at the USCCAKK’s 50th anniversary, Winter Solstice and Christmas celebrations here, recently, officiated by the guest of honour, USCCAKK life honorary president Datuk Jimmy Yong Kyok Ming.
Also in attendance were Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Zhu Xinglong, as special guest, as well as former Chief Minister cum life honorary president of USCCAKK, Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee.
Susan said Jimmy was a key figure who was involved and had witnessed the progress of Wisma Tionghua as he was the secretary-general of USCCAKK when the association successfully applied for a land in Tanjung Aru from the State Government in the 1990s.
She also complemented Zhu for engaging with the Chinese community when he assumed office on June 8, last year.
She said Zhu was invited to the Chinese New Year Dragons, Unicorns and Lions Dance Festival 2026 and Cultural Village Exhibition, and the latter had generously donated RM30,000 in support of the event.
Susan said Yong had played a pivotal role in facilitating and approving the land co-owned by USCCAKK and SUCCC in 1998 where the Wisma Tionghua would be built now.
She said the USCCAKK was established 50 years ago on Dec 10, 1975.
“The USCCAKK comprises 15 associations, the oldest being Sabah Northern Chinese Association with112 years of history and the youngest is Sabah Nam Ann Association at 24 years old.
“The association organises various Chinese cultural programmes and celebrations every year, including its signature event, the Chinese New Year Dragons, Unicorns and Lions Dance Festival which is participated by troupes all over Sabah.
“The festival is complemented with the Cultural Village Exhibition, a showcase of the traditional cultures, food and heritage of the 15 clan associations under USCCAKK,” Susan said.
She said the Chinese New Year Dragons, Unicorns and Lions Dance Festival will be held at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Jan 24 this year.
“I urge everyone to support the programme to ensure our Chinese New Year culture remains as an exciting element among the diverse communities in Malaysia.”
Susan said the association also celebrates the International Women’s Day every year, and awards women with outstanding achievements in their fields.
Meanwhile, Jimmy was heartened that USCCAKK and SUCCC were working hand in hand in developing Wisma Tionghua, as the project holds significant value to the future generations of Chinese.
On the history of the land, Yong said the USCCAKK had initially applied for a plot spanning 49,920 square feet (sq ft) in Tanjung Aru in 1985, after Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) became the state government.
He said SUCCC applied for a 1.5-acre land right opposite USCCAKK in 1989.
He said the land was then reserved for Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) for development purposes. With the then Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee’s assistance, the applications were approved in June 1990, he said.
“Both associations later applied to merge the two plots of land for development, in view of the terrain and road separating the land, but no approval was granted,” he said.
In 1993, Jimmy said Datuk Henry Kong applied for a three-acre land in Karamunsing behind SJK(C) Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu.
With Yong’s facilitation, he said the application was finally approved and the land in Tanjung Aru was swapped with the present land in Karamunsing.
Also present were The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) President Tan Sri Dr T.C. Goh, SUCCC President Datuk Michael Lui, USCCAKK life honorary presidents Datuk Lau Kok Sing and John Lim, honorary advisor Tan Sri Paul Lim, Datuk Seri Christina Liew and Datuk Dr Roland Chia, Deputy President Datuk Chua Soon Ping and organising chairlady Kapitan Dr Callee Tan.
