Aims and Objectives of the Chamber

The objects for which the Chamber is established shall be for the promotion, protection and advancement of all interests affecting trade and industry of the Malaysian Indian Community. In furtherance of these objects, the Chamber shall be empowered:

* to co-operate with the Government of Malaysia, State Governments and public bodies in Malaysia in furtherance of the economic development and prosperity of Malaysia with particular reference to the promotion of the investment and trade and advancement of Indian business interests and businessmen;

* to promote and facilitate commerce and industry in Malaysia and between Malaysia and foreign countries and the interests of persons engaged in such commerce and industry;

* to collect, collate and disseminate statistical and other information relating to commerce and industry;

* to promote and constructively comment on legislations or other measures affecting commerce and industry.

* to adjust controversies between members of the Chamber with the prior permission of the members concerned;

* to arbitrate in the matter of disputes arising out of commercial transactions between members of the Chamber and/or other parties willing or agreeing to abide by the judgement and decision of the Chamber;

* to sell, improve, manage, develop, exchange. lease, mortgage, dispose of or otherwise deal with all or any part of the property of the Chamber;

* to provide facilities for holding and conducting sale of properties, arbitrations, meetings of creditors, meetings of companies or other like matters;

* to communicate with other Chambers of Commerce and Industry and other mercantile and public and private bodies throughout the world and promote measures for facilitation of trade;

* to construct upon any premises acquired for the purposes of the Chamber any building or buildings for the purposes of the Chamber and to alter, add or remove any building upon such premies;                                                                                                                                                                                         TOP

* to borrow or raise any monies required for the purposes of the Chamber upon such terms and in such manner and on such securities as the Chamber may determine;

* to subscribe to, become a member of or co-operate with any lawful Association whether incorporated or not whose objects are wholly or in part similar to those of the Chamber's;

* to establish and support, or aid in the establishment and support of associations, institutions, funds or trusts calculated to benefit employees or ex-employees of the Chamber, of the dependents or connections of such persons, to grant pensions or allowances, to make payments towards insurance and to subscribe or guarantee money for any charitable or patriotic purposes of any exhibition or for any public, general or useful objects.

Phase 1:

In 1928 a few Indian merchants dealing mainly in spices, textiles and other commodities founded the Chamber of Commerce, growing from humble beginnings to the influential and prestigious organisation it is today. The first President was the late Mr. R.E. Mohamed Kassim who together with other early pioneers like the late Haji Peer Mohamed, Mr. V.O.K. Ganapathi Pillai and Mr. Ismail Ghaney Rawther, led the Chamber in its modest activities until the outbreak of Pacific hostilities in 1942 when the Japanese armed forces occupied the country.

Phase 2:

During the Japanese occupation which lasted almost three years from February 1942 to August 1945, the Chamber continued to function despite the unsettled conditions of the occupation period. Leaders like Messrs. C.J. Doshi, Bhagwan Singh, S.M. Dass were at the helm of the Chamber activities and assisted among other trading matters, the distribution of food and clothing which were in short supply. In fact the Japanese authorities used the Chamber premises for such distribution until the liberation by the Allied Forces.

Phase 3:

After liberation by the British Indian forces, the Chamber was re-registered. A new Constitution was approved with 114 members. Mr. Bhagwan Singh was elected President followed by Mr. A.A. Abdullah, Mr. Gurbaksh Singh Sambhi as Hon. Secretary. Then the Chamber was located at 49, Batu Road in Kuala Lumpur. Then Mr. S.O.K. Ubaidulla (now Datuk Tan Sri) was nominated by the Chamber to the Federal Legislative Council in 1949. In 1950 the Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce was born.

On 31st October 1954, it was resolved to purchase a site along Batu Road (now renamed Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman) for $35,000.00 and erect a building for $90,000.00. Money for this purpose was raised by issuing debentures to all members of the Chamber. Messrs. Ajit Singh, V.A. Mohamed Hussain, K.M. Kamaluddin, Prabhulal Doshi, V.P. Peer Mohamed and Utumal were authorised to erect a charge on the sire in favour of the Indian Bank Ltd. And a loan of $50,000.00 was obtained to preceed with the construction of the building.

A sub-committee was appointed on 14th June 1958 comprising the late Mr. Dyalchand, Mr. Prabhulal Doshi, Mr. J.M. Patel and Mr. S.O.K. Ubaidulla to organise the collection of funds for the proposed Chamber building. Mr. Dyalchand played a prominent role in the collection of funds and initially a sum of $5,421.00 was raised from our own members as an interest-free loan.

The Chamber building was completed in 1959 at a cost of $123,667.00 with four storeys in the central and busy main thoroughfare of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Mention must be made of the major role played by the late Messrs. Datuk Ajit Singh and Mr. Dyalchand who sacrificed their valuable time along with other committee members, supervising the completion of the building.

Phase 4:

On 6th March 1978, the Chamber now called Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, celebrated is Golden Jubilee and among the various activities for the Jubilee programme held a grand Dinner for 250 guests at Hotel Merlin, then a premier hotel. The Guest of Honour was the Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed (now the Prime Minister of Malaysia). He congratulated the Chamber for its continuos service to members and the community. Electronic watches commemorating the Golden Jubilee were presented to the dinners. Another significant event was a seminar entitled "Opportunities in Industrial Development and the Role of the Indian Community" held at the Hotel Regent in Kuala Lumpur on 23rd April 1978. The Seminar motivated and stimulated many Malaysian Indians to be conscious and aware of their rightful role and place in an Independent Malaysia which has initiated a programme of industrialisation to diversify the economy.

In 1983, a Sub-committee under the Chairmanship of YB Tan Sri Kishu T. Jethanand was set up to study in detail and recommend necessary steps for the future growth of the Chamber. The Committee met many times to discuss and debate in depth problems and prospects for the Chamber in the context of a fast-changing Malaysian economy.

The Report of the Committee was adopted unanimously at a general meeting of members on 29th March 1985. It is a matter of satisfaction to note that a new spirit of unity and co-operation existed and under the dynamism of a newly elected Management Committee, the membership of the Chamber increased by 150% to 250 member organisation. The Constitution was completely revamped and approved by the Registrar of Societies. The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur was added on to the Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The provisions of the new Constitution were implemented from 12th October 1985.

The Chamber under its reactivated and dynamic programme of activities during this period published a splended vehicle for communication amongst its members, other Sister Chambers and the Government. The "Suara Dewan" became a significant bi-monthly feature publishing local and foreign trade and industrial news, legislative changes affecting trade and industry in Malaysia and neighbouring ASEAN as well as international matters of mutual concern.

The image of the Chamber made a new and fresh impact on the trading and business community. At the Annual Dinner held on 31st March 1985, the Guest-of-Honour, Datuk S. Samy Vellu, Minister of Works and Utilities and MIC President, Datuk S. Subramaniam, Deputy Minister of Housing & Local Government and Deputy President of MIC were among the VIPS attending the Dinner. Tan Sri Dato' S.O.K. Ubaidulla and Dato' G.S. Gill, President and Secretary of the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry were also present.

Another epoch making event was the inclusion of fifteen of our Chamber members in the Malaysian Buying Mission to India in late 1985 consisting of almost 70 delegates from all Chambers in Malaysia and the Government. The mission was led by YB Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Minister of Trade and Industry. The private sector leader was our own President YB Tan Sri Kishu Jethanand. The mission visited Bombay, Delhi, Bangalore and Madras.

Our Chamber members have participated in trade delegations to Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Europe, China including a mission led by the Prime Minister of Australia and New Zealand in August 1986.

In 1986, Mr. V.K.K. Teagarajan succeeded Tan Sri Kishu as President of the Chamber. Tan Sri Kishu was elected President of the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. A new Management Council was also elected with responsibility to oversee the observance of our Diamond Jubilee when the term of Council expires.

During the 1986 - 1988 term, the Chamber has many "firsts" to its credit. It acted as a catalyst to organise the petty traders and hawkers of Indian origin into an effective organisation liaising with City Council and other Government departments to protect the interest of their members, obtaining loans for business activities and so on.

Grass-root problems affecting the interests of metal-traders, flour millers, spice manufacturers, video rental vendors and distributors all were taken up with the authorities concerned and were settled amicably.

One significant event was the official launching of the first ever Entrepreneurial Development Advisory Centre, established under the auspices of the Chamber with assistance by way of free premises, administrative support and advice.

Having attempted to trace a bit of our history, we are obliged to pay tribute to our pioneer founding fathers who led the chamber through trials and tribulations and handed down the legacies to the Management Council for the 1986 --1988 term.

In conformity with the pragmatic policies of an independent Malaysian Government which have gone through five 5 year Development Plans, we changed our name from "Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce" to the new and dynamic 'Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry". With the pace of industrialisation gathering momentum we had to take a hard look at the lack of Malaysian Indian participation in our industrial development programmes. Our traditional expertise in retail ad wholesale trade in textiles, spices, sports goods, import/export, service industries and of course the plantation industry and Government service including the professions is slowly giving way to the small business / industry arena.

The Chamber is playing the vital role of "catalyst" organising the unorganised sectors and complementing the work of the Entrepreneurial Development Advisory Centre to assist and advice both existing and potential entrepreneurs.

While we promote the interests of our members in trade and industry, we are also an integral part of the national scene and constantly keep the country's needs in full perspective. We are affiliated, through the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry to the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry which is the apex body. Many of our members play an important role in the numerous Committees of the National Chamber. Throughout our history the Chamber has always been conforming to national policies and industrial development.

Introduction:

Our Chamber has passed through four significant phases of Malaysian history viz:-

1928 to 1942 - During a colonial regime

1943 to 1945 - During Japanese military occupation

1946 to 1956 - Up to pre-Independence period

1957 to the present - After political freedom

Conference Room:

The KLSICCI has established a well equipped training centre to cater for the needs of its members.  It now invites Corporates, SMIs & Businesses to take advantage of our offer to hire our services at a reasonable cost.  Schedule your next meeting, training or seminar with us by calling, faxing or E-mailing to Mr. Nathan at enquiry@klsicci.com.my and he will personally attend to your needs.

Rates

After 6.00 p.m., Sundays and Public Holidays an extra RM 30.00 will be levied.  The center will close at 9.00 p.m.

All rates are effective 25/11/1997 and are subjected to change without prior notice.

CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN

 The Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has for the past many years been providing services in authenticating the Certificates of Origin. This facility which has been authorised by the Malaysian Government enables the Chamber to authenticate not only the Certificate of Origin but also other related commercial documents in respect of exports and re-exports from Malaysia.

A)      WHAT IS THE CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN

           Certificate of Origin is a specific form identifying the goods originating in a particular country based on a declaration made by the Exporter. Country of Origin signifies the country in which the goods have been produced or manufactured.

          The issuance and acceptance of the Certificate of Origin is governed by the International Committee on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures.

          In determining the origin of goods, two different basic criteria are used:-

i)        The “wholly produced” criterion where only one country enters into consideration which essentially applies to natural products (e.g. rubber, palm oil, cocoa)

ii)        “Substantial transformation” where two or more countries are involved in the production of the goods. (This refers to manufactured goods. The “substantial transformation” interpreted as a substantial change in the customs tariff code numbers used at the time of import and that on export) 

B)      WHY IS CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN NECESSARY

i)        To establish in the importing country the right of the goods to enter the country

ii)       To establish that goods did not originate from a country against which the importing country has imposed trade restrictions.

iii)      To comply with the requirements of the importer or the importer’s bank.

iv)       To enable the importer to establish a claim for the payment of duties and taxes at a potential rate where applicable.

v)        To effect quotas or quantitative restrictions

vi)       To assess actual price of the goods.

 C)      THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN

          The issuing of the Certificate of Origin (COs) is one of the essential services provided by the Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry which has been issuing COs for a number of years.

          The Chamber is authorised by the Malaysian Government to authenticate the Certificate of Origin and other related commercial documents in respect of exports and re-exports from Malaysia. The Chamber however does not have the authority to authenticate the following types of Certificates of Origin and the applications for such Certificate should be made to the following:-

i)      Generalised System of Preference (GSP) Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

ii)       ASEAN Preferential Trading Arrangement (PTA) Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

iii)       Certificate of Origin for textile to the EEC countries. Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

iv)      Certificate of Origin for the export of raw rubber – Malaysian Rubber Board.

v)       Certificate of Origin in respect of exports from a second to a third country. 

D)      PROCEDURES FOR THE APPLICATION FOR THE CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN

          Purchase of Certificate of Origin Forms

          The Standard Certificate of Origin Form can be purchased from the Chamber the cost being as follows:-

          Members              -        RM10.00 per pad of 100 sheets

Fees for Authentication of Documents

The fees charged by the Chamber for the authentication of documents are as follows:-

 Members              -        RM5.00 per authentication

Completing the Certificate of Origin

Procedures

Supporting Documents

Support documents required for the Chamber’s examination when applying for a Certificate of Origin for:

Export of Goods of Malaysian Origin

·  Commercial invoice

·  Export declaration

·  Bill of Lading / Airway Bill

·  Export License, Permit etc, if applicable

·  Any other documents deemed necessary such as manufacturers invoice

Re export of goods (other than those of Malaysian origin are):

·  As for Export and

·  Import Declaration (Form C1) used at the time of the relevant import

LETTER OF INDEMNITY

 A letter of Indemnity on a standard format (as per specimen provided by the Chamber) when required has to be produced on the respective company’s letterhead.

If the Chambers endorsement is also required on other support documents such as shipping certificates and manifests, a Letter of Indemnity from the company issuing those documents will also have to be produced.

Every Letter of Indemnity must bear a RM2.00 Revenue (Hasil) stamp.

For Members

·       A Letter of Indemnity is required for shipments via Johor Bahru by road and rail for each movement

·       A continuing Letter of Indemnity is required for shipments from a Malaysian airport or seaport valid for a year and renewable on 1 January of each year.

A Certificate of Origin must be above suspicion. In this respect and in order to verify the exporter’s claim, the Chamber reserves the right to call for any other supporting documentary evidence or to carry out checks considered necessary or appropriate 

RETENTION OF DOCUMENTS

 All applicants for Certificate of Origin and other documents for endorsement by the Chamber should produce an additional copy for the Chamber’s retention.

 Under the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (18.5.73) these copies of documents endorsed are required to be retained by the Chamber for a period of 2 years.

HOURS OF AUTHENTICATING DOCUMENTS

Monday       9.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.

   to

Friday         2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. 

Saturday     9.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon

1. Requirements (KLSICCI Membership Fee)

(All cheque made payable to KL and Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry).

* Photocopies of Business Registration Certificates, Form 49, Form 24 & 2 passport sized photographs

3. Admission of Members

An application for membership of the Chamber shall be proposed by one member and seconded by another, and shal be accompanied by the entrance fee and expect for life membership the first years' Subscription as prescribed by these Rules.

Admission of a members shall be by a majority vote of the Council present.

A rejected application may not be again proposed for admission in accordance with Clause (5) until the lapse of at least six months from the date of the rejection of such application.

In the event of any concern regarding the admission of a member or the continuity of classification of an existing member the decision of the Council shall be final and binding at all times.

A reject application may not be again proposed for admission untill the lapse of a least six months from the date of rejection of each application.

In order to exercise, voting rights at Annual General Meetings, the member concerned (ordinary member, life member) should have at least six (6) months (from the date of approval) membership ofthe Chamber prior to such Meeting at which voting takes place.


4. Associate Members

The Chamber may if it deems fit, admit any cmpany or firm which does not fulfill the qualifications for an ordinar membership as an Associate member of the Chamber. Associate members shall be entitled to all the amenities and privileges of members but shall not vote at General Meetings of the Chamber or serve on the Council but they may be invited to serve as advicers on the Council.