Business Diversification Encouraged: KCCI

4 April 2025

PENAMPANG: The Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) aims to ensure that it remains on par with similar organisations by encouraging its members, particularly those engaged in entrepreneurship, to diversify their activities and strengthen business relationships within the community.

Its president, Datuk Ladislaus Maluda, noted that most entrepreneurial members of KCCI are currently involved in the construction sector, with some dependency on government projects. He expressed a desire to see them diversify and explore other avenues of business.

According to him, after 28 years of existence, they can no longer be considered merely as 'growing up'; instead, they have matured into a fully-fledged entity. It is now time to take the next step by sharing their business initiatives with the wider community, not only with the members of KKCI but also with the community at large.

“Based on our records, we have 800 members nationwide and even overseas. We also aim to enhance the recognition of our Chamber among other organisations, particularly the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Moreover, I want to emphasise the importance of engaging in business ventures. We should strive to diversify our activities; rather than focusing on a single business, we should explore alternative business opportunities as well,” he stressed when met after their Supreme Council meeting here, today.

“When I took over, we attracted more members from the entrepreneurial sector who already had existing businesses. In the past, we held motivational talks emphasising that entrepreneurship is a viable alternative to traditional employment. This is an ongoing process, and we have a member on the Supreme Council to address this matter,” he shared.

When discussing the disparities in competitiveness between local entrepreneurs and those from the Chinese community, he noted that one contributing factor may be that locals entered the business sector later than their counterparts.

However, he expressed optimism, highlighting that local entrepreneurs are now beginning to flourish and gain traction in their ventures. He firmly believes that, given time and motivations, they will become equally prominent and active within the business landscape in the near future.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, he offered valuable advice: "Explore the business landscape and fully consider the benefits of being your own boss. Embracing entrepreneurship can provide not only financial rewards but also the freedom to pursue your passions and create your own success."

He encouraged them to take the initiative to learn, innovate, and seize opportunities that align with their skills and interests.

He agreed that the chamber provides a platform for members to network, collaborate, and form partnerships. This networking opportunity encourages knowledge sharing and strengthens business relationships within the community.