章 RULES
程 20 2 1
目 录 CONTENTS
3 19
总纲
3 19
会务
4 20
会员
6 23
会员之权利
7 23
会员之义务
7 24
入会、退会与除名
8 25
组织
10 27
职权
11 29
会议
14 32
选举
16 35
财政及费用
17 36
奖励
17 36
附则
General Objects Membership Privileges of Members Obligations of Members Admission, Resignation or Expulsion Organisation Powers & Duties Meetings Election Finance & Expenses Awards Appendix
3
新加坡中华总商会章程
第一章 总纲 1.
名称：本会定名为新加坡中华总商会。此后称为“本会”。
2.
本会会址设在新加坡邮区 179365 禧街四十七号或其他 由董事会决定与社团注册官批准的地址。本会将只在有 关当局事先准许的场所举办活动。
3.
宗旨：本会以促进本国工商业发展、经济繁荣、文化教 育活动与社会服务为宗旨。
第二章 会务 4.
本会会务如下：
4.1
共谋改善、发展及促进本国工商业；
4.2
办理有关工商业的咨询、评估与鉴定事项；
4.3
提供与本国工商业相关的介绍与建议；
4.4
调 解 会 员 之 间 的 工 商 业 纠 纷 （ 但 不 涉 及 雇 主 与 雇员之间的关系）；
4.5
进行调查与研究，并作出报告与出版刊物，以便 实行其他任何任务；
4.6
举办展览会，开设工商业培训课程及促进文化教 育事业；
4
= = = = = = = = =
4.7 4.7
� !"#$%&'()*+,� !"# 召开工商会议及组织海外访问团，以促进贸易、 � !"#$%&'� ! " # 经济合作与友好关系，加强业务联系；以及
4.8 4.8
� !"#$%&'(') * + , - . / ) 0 执行有助于达致上述任何任务的其他一切事务。
�三 章 第 会 员 5. 5.
� !"#$%&� !"#$%&'� ! 本会会员数目无定额，对会员性别也不设限。本章程内 � !"#$%&'!"� !"#$%& 所提及会员皆包括男女会员［除非另有指明］。本会会 � !"#$ 员分为下列几类：
5.1 5.1
� !" 普通会员，包括：
(1) (1)
� !"# 永久商号会员；
(2) (2)
� !"# 常年商号会员；
(3) (3)
� !"# 永久个人会员；以及
(4) (4)
� !"#$ 常年个人会员。
5.2 5.2
商业团体会员 � !"#
5.3 5.3
准会员，包括： � !
(1) (1)
准商号会员； � !"
(2) (2)
(3) (3)
准个人会员； � !" 准商团会员；和 � !"
(4) (4)
学生会员。 � !"
6.
有意申请为本会会员者须符合下列条件： � !"#$$%&'()*+ , - 6.1 永久或常年商号会员 6.1 � !"#$%& 申请者必须是： � !"# (1) 在新加坡注册并由华裔新加坡公民或永久居民 (1) � !"#$%&' !()*+,掌控大多数股权之公司，商号或专业公司； � !"#$%&'()� !"#$ 或 6.
5
(2)
其他由董事会批准的法人机构或未经注册的 机构。
上述各类申请者在本会的注册代表人必须是该公 司具华裔新加坡公民或永久居民身份的业主、股 东、董事或高级管理人员或其他由董事会批准的 人选。
6.2
永久或常年个人会员 乃所有在 1968 年 12 月 3 日以前入会之个人会员， 这类会员得以继续保留其会籍。本会将不再接受 新的永久或常年个人会员。
6.3
商业团体会员 申请者必须是在新加坡注册的商业团体，其在本 会的注册代表必须是该商业团体之现任具华裔新 加坡公民或永久居民身份的理事会成员，或其他 由董事会批准的人选。
6.4
准商号会员 申请者必须是一家公司、商号、专业机构或其他 由董事会批准的法人机构或未经注册的机构，其 在本会的注册代表人必须是该公司的华裔业主、股 东、董事或高级管理人员或其他由董事会批准的 人选。
6.5
准个人会员 申请者必须是年龄在 21 岁以上并于新加坡居住的 华裔专业人士或其他由董事会批准的人选。
6 4
= = = = = = = = =
4.7 6.6
4.8
� !"#$%&'()*+,� 准商业团体会员
!"#
� !"#$%&'� ! " # 申请者必须是注册的商业团体，其在本会的注册 代表人必须是该商业团体之现任的华裔理事会成 � !"#$%&'(') * + , - . / ) 0 员，或其他由董事会批准的人选。
� 6.7 学生会员 申 请 者 必 须 是 年 龄 介 于 16 岁 至 25 岁 并 于 新 加 坡 5. � !"#$%&� !"#$%&'� ! 居住的华裔在籍全读学生，或由董事会所批准的 � !"#$%&'!"� !"#$%& 其他在籍学生。 � !"#$ 7. 凡属下列情况者，不得为本会会员或会员注册代表： 5.1 � !" 7.1 精神病患者； (1) � !"#
7.2
(2) 16 � !"# 未满 岁者；或
7.3
(3) � !"# 以任何形式的言论或行为破坏本会良好声誉者。 (4) � !"#$
5.2
�
!"#
第 四 章 会 员 之权利
5.3 � ! 本会会员得以享受下列权利： (1) � !" 8.1 有权参加会员大会并在会议上有发言权与表决权 (2) � !" （准会员无此权利）； (3) � !" 8.2 在董事会选举中有提名、选举及参与竞选的权利 (4) � !"
6.
�
8.
8.3
8.4
8.5
（准会员无此权利）； !"#$$%&'()*+ , - 有权请求本会代为办理关于商业上的交涉事项； � !"#$%& 有权请求本会代为呈请要求政府给予业务上的维 � !"# 护与协助； (1) � !"#$%&' !()*+,有优先权参加本会所组织的商业考察团； � !"#$%&'()� !"#$
8.6
有权享受本会所提供之其他一切权利。
6.1
7
第 五 章 会 员 之义务 9.
本会会员应尽下列义务：
9.1
遵守本会一切条规与议决案；
9.2
协助会务（包括公益活动）之进行；
9.3
维护本会的良好声誉与利益。
10.
董事会有权调整各类会员的入会基金及会捐金额，唯须 有出席会议者以三分之二多数票表决通过。
11.
新会员须根据章程第 12 条所列手续于入会前付清入会 基金、年捐及手续费。现有会员须于每年 3 月 31 日之 前付清会捐，逾此日期而未付清者在接到本会催函后的 60 天之内须悉数付清所拖欠款项，否则董事会将取消
该会员之会员资格。此后，该会员可根据新会员入会手 续重新申请成为会员。
第 六 章 入 会 、退会与除名 12.
凡欲加入本会为会员者，须填具入会申请表格，交给本 会秘书处，经董事会批准及付清入会基金、会捐及手续 费后方可成为会员。董事会有权拒绝任何入会申请而无 需说明理由。
13.
会员如欲退出本会，须具函通知本会。会员退会或被除 名时，其以前所交入会基金、会捐、手续费或特别捐款 皆不退还，若有拖欠会捐者应按章程规定付清。
14.
凡本会会员有违背本会章程，或以言论或行动破坏本会 良好声誉者，董事会可予以除名。
8 4
15.
= = = = = = = = =
4.7 � ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , � !14 "条# 若董事会查明会员在本会的注册代表确属章程第
� !"#$%&'� !"# 规定之情况者， 得通知该会员在限期内改派注册代表。 16.
4.8 � !"#$%&'(') * + , - . / ) 0 在本会通知期限内，凡未遵照本会通知更换注册代表的
会员，本会有权取消其一切权利。
� 第 七章 组织 5. � !"#$%&� 17.
!"#$%&'�
!
董事会由商号和个人董事三十八人，商业团体董事十七 � !"#$%&'!"� !"#$%& 人，前任会长一人，共五十六人组成，董事会内设会长 � !"#$ 一人、副会长三人。本会董事须能应用华文华语方合资 5.1 � !" 格。会长必须是本国公民。 (1) � !"#
18.
(2) � !"# 本会将成立由十三人组成的资产信托局，本会会长出任
信托局主席，三位副会长担任副主席，其它九名成员由 (3) � !"# 本会董事中选出。 (4) � !"#$ 19.
5.2会 可 � !"# 本 委任声 誉 良 好 或 对 本 会 有 贡 献 的 前 董 事 为 名 誉
会长、荣誉董事或名誉董事。 5.3 � ! 20.
(1) � !" 董事会将委任总务、财政、商业、工业等委员会及其它 (2) � !" 小组。必要时，董事会可增加、减少或更改各委员会及 (3) � !" 小组之数目。各委员会设正、副主席各一名，人选由董 (4) � !" 事会成员中选举而出（不包括正、副会长） 。常务董事
6.
21.
会由正、副会长及各委员会正、副主席组成。每届董事 � !"#$$%&'()*+ , - 会改选后，若由新人选担任会长，董事会将委任刚卸任 6.1 � !"#$%& 的会长为前任会长，任期与该届会长相同，前任会长可 � !"# 参与常务董事会和董事会，并具有与董事相同的投票权。 (1) � !"#$%&' !()*+,董事会可邀请对新加坡有贡献的人士担任名誉顾问，名 � !"#$%&'()� !"#$ 誉顾问任期与董事会相同。
9
22.
秘书长掌管秘书处。
23.
本会 董 事 会、资产 信 托 局、名誉 会 长、荣 誉董 事及名誉 董事之任期均为三年，期满可再次参选或再次受委任。
24.
正、副会长及各委员会正、副主席，每届任期各为三年， 并可连选连任。正、副会长及财政委员会正主席仅可连 选 连 任 两 届 ， 其 他 各 委 员 会 正 、 副 主 席 及 财 政 委 员 会 副主席仅可连选连任三届。在确定正、副会长及各委员 会正、副主席的任职是否已超过期限时，其根 据第 26 条规所提供之服务期限不予计算在内。
25.
本会旧董事会于新董事会未就职时不得卸责。
26.
当正、副会长及各委员会正、副主席任期内出现职位空 缺，董事会将从现有董事中选举替补人选。当董事任期 内出现空缺，可由上一届董事选举时同类候补董事填补 空缺。若无候补董事而所剩任期超过一年（十二个月）， 则须根据第 50 条规举行补选。所有替补董事任期为该 届的剩余日期。任何董事会成员的变动须在两周内通知 社团注册局。
27.
本会董事及资产信托局委员均不领薪酬。
28.
本会董事或资产信托局成员在下列情况下将丧失继任现 有职位的资格：
28.1 被法庭判为未脱离穷藉的破产者；
28.2 实际上触犯本会任何章程条规；
28.3 因犯罪被国内外法庭提控并获判坐牢不少过一年
或罚款不少过五千新元，而又未获得赦免者。对
10 4
= = = = = = = = =
4.7
� !"#$%&'()*+,� !"# 于在国外法庭被控的案件，有关被提控者将不会 � !"#$%&'� ! " # 丧失担任现有职位的资格，除非有关罪状发生在
4.8
28.4 已不再是本会普通会员或普通会员与商团会员的
注册代表人，而且失去此资格已超过 60 天。
� 5.
本国，也受到本国法庭同样的处罚； � !"#$%&'(') * + , - . / ) 0
�
!"#$%&�
!"#$%&'�
第八章 职!"#$%&'!"� 权 �
!
!"#$%&
29.
� !"#$ 本会最高权力机关为会员大会。
30.
5.1 � !" 本会各董事会成员之权力与义务如下：
(1) � !"# 对内执行董事会议决案， 30.1 会长对外全权代表本会， (2) � !"# 并主持一切会务。 三位副会长的职责由会长分配。 (3) � !"# 任何受会长委任以在会长请假期间代表会长处理会 (4) � !"#$ 务之副会长须遵行本会章程及会长之指示。
5.2 本会名誉会长、荣誉董事及名誉董事可受邀列席 � !"# 30.2 5.3
董事会议但无投票权。 � !
30.3 本会董事会依本章程之规定及会员大会之决定行 (1) � !"
使职权。 (2) �
!"
(3) � !" 30.4 本会常务董事会处理董事会议之间的各项紧急而 (4) � !" 重要之事务，审核各组提交董事会之前的各种建
6.
议，同时督导董事会议决案的执行。 !"#$$%&'()*+ , - 30.5 总务委员会负责管理秘书处事务以及处理不属其 6.1 � !"#$%& 他各委员会之事宜。 � !"# 30.6 财政委员会负责处理本会财政与预算案。 (1) � !"#$%&' !()*+,30.7 董事会可决定由其根据实况而设立的其它委员会 � !"#$%&'()� !"#$ �
的职权。
11
30.8 本会秘书长负责管理秘书处，向总务委员会主席
汇报，有关本会其他会务与活动向正、副会长及 有关委员会主席汇报。
30.9 本会账目将交由在新加坡会计师协会注册的合格
公共会计公司审计。 31.
会长缺席时，由会长根据章程第 30.1 条文委任的副会长 将代行会长职责。若正、副会长同时缺席，则由董事会 推举一位董事代行会长职责。
第九章 会议 32.
本会会议分为以下几种：
32.1 常年会员大会；
32.2 特别会员大会；
32.3 董事会会议；
32.4 常务董事会会议；
32.5 资产信托局会议；
32.6 各委员会会议；和
32.7 其他会议。
32.8 根据 32.1 至 32.6 项条文进行的会议，须使用华文
华语，根据 32.7 项条文进行的其他会议则根据实 况尽可能使用华文华语。 33.
常年会员大会须由董事会召集，并每年举行一次，日期 由董事会议定，但不得迟于每年六月三十日。
12 4
34.
= = = = = = = = =
4.7 � ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , � ! " # 特别会员大会，遇有特别重要事件，得由董事会召集之。
� !"#$%&'� ! " # 倘有会员至少五十人或董事至少十人联名函请，陈明提 案及理由，亦得由董事会召集之，惟联名函请人须有四 4.8 � !"#$%&'(') * + , - . / ) 0 份之三亲自出席，否则会议将不举行，亦不改期召集。
� 会员大会开会时会长将被委任为主席，会长缺席时，其 35. 5.
36. 37.
中一位副会长将被委任为主席，若正、副会长同时缺席， � !"#$%&� !"#$%&'� ! 由出席会员推举主席人选。 � !"#$%&'!"� !"#$%& � !"#$ 会员大会之召集，应于开会 7 日前发出通告。 5.1 � !" 常年会员大会及特别会员大会最少须有会员五十六人 (1) � !"# 出席方为合法。一般议决案以出席者过半数通过方为有 (2) � !"# 效，如不足法定人数，除章程第 34 条另有规定者外，主 (3) � !"# 席得延迟会议至半小时后在同一地点举行。无论出席人 (4) � !"#$ 数多寡，出席者均视为合法人数，议决案以出席者半数 5.2 � !"# 通过为有效。若议决案将导致章程的修改，最少须有五 5.3 � ! 十六位会员出席并由三分之二以上出席者投票通过方为
有效。(1) 38.
6. 39.
�
!"
(2) � !" 个人会员须 亲自出席会员大会，不 得 委 任 代 表。有限 公 (3) � !" 司、商号、 专业公司及商业团体， 可由其 注 册代表出席， (4) � !"
如欲 更 换注 册代表，须提前三天以书面通知本会。 � !"#$$%&'()*+ , - 董事会议开会时至少须有十五位董事出席方为合法， 6.1 � !"#$%& 凡属章程第 10 条及第 65 条之议决案须以三分之二多数 � !"# 票通过，其余以出席会议并表决者的简单多数票通过 (1) � !"#$%&' !()*+,方为有效。如遇同等票数不能解决，董事会议主席可 � !"#$%&'()� !"#$ 加投一票以便取决。
13
40.
董事会会议每月举行一次。若遇有重要紧急事务或至少 五位董事的书面要求，董事会可随时召开会议。
41.
董事会开会时，以会长为当然主席。
42.
本会常务董事会会议由会长或副会长根据实况随时召开， 所有议决案须呈报董事会确认。
43.
资产信托局将根据实况随时由该局主席召集会议。
44.
本会各委员会主席将自行召开会议，所有议决案须呈报 董事会议确定。
45.
本会可通过实体或线上形式在超过一个地点举行常年 会员大会及其他会 议。如果允许 会员或董事参加会 议的 声频和视频转播，该会员或董事可出席会议，并在会 议上发言及做出陈述。倘允许委托代理人进行投票， 会员或董事可通过电子形式赋予授权。线上出席者亦 可采用电子投票方式表决议案。
46.
本会可通过电子通讯，实体印刷或刊登在本会网站上的 方式发出常年会员大会和其他会议的通告及相关文件。
47.
亲自实体或线上出席本会会议的会员或董事（视情况 而定）可组成法定人数。按章程第 46 条规定的形式参 加会议的会员或董事，并获得主席或召集人以电子形 式确认出席，其线上出席率得以被视为有效。
48.
为避免疑义，本会针对任何允许注册的社团通过电子形 式举行会议的相关适用法令条列的补充，并在无损法定 利益或要求的前提下，拟定章程第 45 条至第 47 条。
14 4
= = = = = = = = =
4.7 选 �举 第十章 49.
!"#$%&'()*+,�
!"#
� !"#$%&'� ! " # 本会董事会由五十五名董事组成，根据第 50 条章程选 4.8 � !"#$%&'(') * + , - . / ) 0 出。正、副会长及各委员会正、副主席由董事会成员以 无记名单选法选出，得票最多者当选，如票数相同，以
� 抽签决定。 50. 5.
选举程序如下： � !"#$%&�
50.1 董 事 会 进 行 每 届 选 举 ， 须 于 董 事 会 任 满 之 上 一
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� 年 十 月!"#$ 间 ， 由 五 至 七 位 董 事 组 成 选 举 委 员 会 。 选 举 5.1员 会 � 委 负 责 !" 筹 备 来 届 选 举 ， 会 长 为 选 举 委 员 会 当 (1) � !"# 然主席。选举委员会职责如下：
5.2
5.3
(2)
� !"# 制定选举工作程序、方法及时间表 ; (3) � !"# (2) 发函通知全体会员并公布选举日期； (4) � !"#$ (3) 编印会员及注册代表人名单； � !"# (4) 审核候选人资格； � ! (5) 编印合格候选人名单； (1) � !" (1)
(2) (6)
� !" 处理选票的印刷事项； (3) � !" (7) 监督投票与计票工作； (4) � !" (8) 公布选举结果； 6. � !"#$$%&'()*+ , - (9) 发函通告入选董事。 6.1 � !"#$%& 50.2 有意被选入董事会的候选人必须先被提名参与竞 � !"# 选。选举委员会将规定选举日之前的一星期为提 (1) � !"#$%&' !()*+,名周。必须以所规定表格提名方为有效。董事会 � !"#$%&'()� !"#$ 选举分三个阶段进行。
15
(1)
第一阶段 从现任的董事中，选举商号及个人董事十五 位与商业团体董事三位。
(2)
第二阶段 从商业团体会员中互选出十四位商业团体董 事。
(3)
第三阶段 从商号及个人会员中互选出二十三位商号及 个人董事。每四名商号和个人会员联名可提 名一位候选人，每名会员只限提名一次。
50.3 若受提名的候选人数和有关竞选的董事席位相同，
所有候选人将自动当选。
50.4 若受提名的候选人数超过有关竞选的董事席位，则
须进行投票选举，由得票最高者当选。若有相同 票数者，则由选举委员会主席抽签决定谁当选。
50.5 若受提名的候选人数低于所竞选的董事席位，则
由选举委员会向来届董事会提名适当人选以填补 有关席位。 51.
每届董事会须于任满前一个月，选定来届董事会成员。
52.
选举委员会须以书面邀请全体卸任董事到场监督开票与 计票工作。
53.
每届旧董事会须于三月间的任何一天卸任，并由新董事 会即日正式就职。
54.
选举委员会于新董事会正式就职之日即行解散。
16 4
55.
= = = = = = = = =
4.7 � ! " # $ %& '()*+,� !"# 凡于选举年之上一年 8 月 31 日以后加入本会的会员，在
� !"#$%&'� ! " # 该届选举时无选举权及被选举权。 56.
4.8 � !"#$%&'(') *+,-./)0 凡会员于选举期间内，有属于第 28 条规所列出的情况
者或其年龄在新董事会于 3 月 15 日正式就职时或之前 70 岁，将丧失其被提名或被选举权。前任会长的 � 已达
5.
57.
58.
职位则不受此年龄限制。 � !"#$%&� !"#$%&'� ! 受提名的候选人须在提名表格上签名表示自愿参加选举 � !"#$%&'!"� !"#$%& 并愿意在获选后担任董事。 � !"#$ 卸任董事会应在正式就职时将本会一切文件、帐目以及 5.1 � !" 其他资产移交新董事会。 (1) � !"# (2)
�
!"#
第 十 一 章 (3)财 政及费用 � !"# 59.
(4) � !"#$ 本会之所有不动产皆由资产信托局管理。常年财政收支
60.
帐目和资产负债表，将由会计员送交审计师审计后，提 5.2 � !"# 交于常年会员大会批准并出版。 5.3 � ! 财政委员会将管理本会所有基金，任何投资项目都必须 (1) � !" 呈交董事会预先批准。董事会须负责决定有关本会或其 (2) � !" 代表签署或履行各项单据、票据、收据、承兑、许可书、 (3) � !" 支票、解约、合约及文件的方式。 (4) � !"
61.
6.
本会开支如下： � !"#$$%&'()*+ , - 61.1 经 常 费 由 财 政 委 员 会 拟 定 预 算 表 并 经 董 事 会 议 6.1 � !"#$%& 通过。 � !"# 61.2 预算外的特别开销费在一万元以内者需由会长及 (1) � !"#$%&' !()*+,三位副会长中任何二人联合批准。在一万元以上 � !"#$%&'()� !"#$ 者，须经董事会议决通过方可动用。
17
62.
本会不动产之买卖及贷款事项，须经会员大会通过方为 有效。
第十二章 奖励 63.
凡会员、董事或职员等若具有值得表扬的业绩或曾捐献 巨额款项给本会，将按董事会所决定的方式给予嘉奖。
第十三章 附则 64.
董事会可设立本会运作的条例与规则。
65.
董事会可把修改章程条例的议决案提交会员大会批准。
66.
修改内容经会员大会通过并在获得新加坡社团注册官批 准后即刻生效。
67.
本会董事及秘书处职员因妥当履行此章程所规定的职责 而遭受任何民事或刑事诉讼，若得到胜诉或无罪判决， 其就该民事或刑事诉讼抗辩所承担的任何债务及责任， 均由本会从其资产中予以补偿。但经本会会员大会决定， 凡 意 图 作 出 损 害 本 会 或 违 反 此 章 程 者 则 得 不 到 本 会 的 补偿。
注： 本 章程在下列日期曾作修订，经会员大会通过，并 获得新加坡社团注册官批准。
18 4
= = = = = = = = =
4.7
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19
RULES OF SINGAPORE CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL 1.
Name: The name of this Association shall be the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, hereinafter known as “the Chamber”.
2.
Address: The Chamber shall be situated at 47 Hill Street, Singapore 179365 or such other address as the Council may designate, subject to the approval of the Registrar of Societies. The Chamber shall carry out its activities only in places and premises which have the prior written approval from the relevant authorities, where necessary.
3.
Purpose: The purpose for which the Chamber is established shall be to promote the development of industry and commerce, the economic prosperity, cultural and educational activities as well as the community services of Singapore.
CHAPTER 2 - OBJECTS 4.
The objects of the Chamber shall be:
4.1 to improve, develop and promote the industry and commerce of Singapore;
4.2
to deal with matters in respect of industrial and commercial consultation, examination and certification;
4.3
to brief and advise on matters concerning the trade and industry of Singapore;
20
Rules of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
4.4
to arbitrate and settle industrial and commercial disputes among members (as distinct from employer and employee relations);
4.5
to conduct surveys and research and produce reports and publications on such matters as may be required to give effect to any other object;
4.6
to organise exhibitions, conduct industrial and commercial training courses and promote culture and education;
4.7
to convene business conferences and organise overseas missions so as to promote trade, economic cooperation and goodwill, and strengthen business contacts; and
4.8
to do such other things as may be necessary or conducive for the attainment of the above objects or any of them.
CHAPTER 3 - MEMBERSHIP 5.
The number of members is unlimited and there is no restriction as to gender. In these Rules, except where the context requires otherwise, words indicating one gender include all genders. There shall be the following classes of members:
5.1
Ordinary Members shall consist of:
(1)
Life Corporate Members;
(2)
Annual Corporate Members;
(3)
Life Individual Members; and
(4)
Annual Individual Members.
5.2
Trade Association Members
5.3
Associate Members shall consist of:
(1)
Associate Corporate Members;
(2)
Associate Individual Members;
(3) Associate Trade Association Members; and (4) Student Members.
21
6.
Applicants for membership shall meet the following requirements:
6.1
Life or Annual Corporate Members;
Applicant shall be:
(1)
a Singapore registered company, firm or professional company with ethnic Chinese Singaporean(s) or permanent residents(s) having majority interest and control; or
(2)
such other corporate or unincorporated entity as the Council may approve.
In all cases, the registered representative of the applicant in the Chamber must be an ethnic Chinese Singaporean or permanent resident who is the owner, shareholder, a member of the board of management or a senior management personnel of the applicant or such other person as the Council may approve.
6.2
Life or Annual Individual Members Life or Annual Individual Members admitted prior to 3rd December 1968 shall be allowed to remain as members and no new Life or Annual Individual Members shall be admitted.
6.3
Trade Association Members Applicant shall be a trade association registered in Singapore. The registered representative of the applicant must be an ethnic Chinese Singaporean or permanent resident who is a member of the management committee of the trade association or such other person as the Council may approve.
22
Rules of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
6.4
Associate Corporate Members Applicant shall be a company, firm, professional company or such other corporate or unincorporated entity as the Council may approve. The registered representative of the applicant must be an ethnic Chinese who is the owner, shareholder, a member of the board of management, a senior management personnel or such other person as the Council may approve.
6.5
Associate Individual Members Applicant shall be an ethnic Chinese professional who is above the age of 21 and resides in Singapore or such other person as the Council may approve.
6.6
Associate Trade Association Members Applicant shall be a registered trade association. The registered representative of the applicant must be an ethnic Chinese and a member of its management committee or such other person as the Council may approve.
6.7
Student Members Applicant shall be an ethnic Chinese full-time student who is aged between 16 and 25 and resides in Singapore or such other student as the Council may approve.
7.
No person shall be a member or registered representative of a member by reason of any of the following circumstances:
7.1
being of unsound mind;
7.2
being under 16 years of age; or
7.3
having made statements or behaved in any manner that is prejudicial to the good name of the Chamber.
23
CHAPTER 4 - PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS 8.
Members shall enjoy the following privileges:
8.1
8.2 to nominate, vote and stand for elections at Council elections (Associate Members shall not enjoy this privilege);
8.3
to request the Chamber to make representations on their behalf on commercial matters;
8.4
to request the Chamber to petition the Government on their behalf for protection and assistance in their business;
8.5 to have priority in participating in business missions organised by the Chamber; and
8.6 to enjoy any other privileges and rights provided by the Chamber.
to attend, speak and vote at General Meetings (Associate Members shall not enjoy this privilege);
CHAPTER 5 – OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS 9.
Members shall:
9.1
9.2 assist the Chamber in its activities including charity events; and
9.3
10.
The Council may adjust the entrance and subscription fees for all categories of membership provided that it has a majority of two-thirds present and voting in person for such adjustment.
abide by all Rules and Resolutions of the Chamber;
uphold the good reputation and interests of the Chamber.
11. New members shall pay the entrance, subscription and administration fees before being admitted as members in accordance with Rule 12. Existing members shall pay the subscription fee before the 31st day of March each year. Any
24
Rules of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
arrears in the subscription fee shall be paid by the member concerned within 60 days from the date of receipt of the written reminder issued by the Chamber, failing which the Council may terminate that member’s membership. The member concerned may reapply for membership in accordance with the procedure for the admission of new members as stated in these Rules.
CHAPTER 6 - ADMISSION, RESIGNATION OR EXPULSION 12. All applicants shall complete an application form and lodge it at the Secretariat. The applicant shall become a member after the application has been approved by the Council and the prescribed entrance, subscription and administration fees have been duly paid. The Council has the absolute right and discretion to reject any application and shall not be required to furnish any reason for such rejection. 13. All resignations shall be tendered in writing. No refund of any entrance, subscription and administration fees or special contributions previously paid may be made to any resigning or expelled member. The member concerned shall pay any arrears in the subscription fee in accordance with these Rules. 14.
The Council may expel any member who has breached any of these Rules or made a statement or behaved in any manner that is prejudicial to the good name of the Chamber.
15. If the Council is satisfied that Rule 14 is applicable to a member’s registered representative in the Chamber, the member concerned shall be notified to change its registered representative within a stipulated time. 16.
If the said member fails to change its registered representative in the Chamber within the stipulated time, the Chamber shall be entitled to revoke all its rights and privileges.
25
CHAPTER 7 - ORGANISATION 17.
The Council shall consist of fifty-six (56) members of whom thirty-eight (38) shall be Corporate and Individual Members, seventeen (17) shall be representatives of Trade Associations and one (1) shall be the Immediate Past President. There shall be one (1) President and three (3) Vice-Presidents. Council Members need to be proficient in Mandarin. The President shall be a Singapore citizen.
18. The Chamber shall have a Financial Board consisting of thirteen (13) members in which the President and three (3) Vice-Presidents shall be the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen, and the remaining nine (9) members shall be elected from amongst the other Council Members. 19. The Council may appoint former Council Members of good standing or who have made significant contributions to the Chamber to be its Honorary Presidents, Senior Honorary Council Members or Honorary Council Members. 20. The Council shall appoint a number of Committees such as General Affairs, Finance, Commerce, Industry and other Committees or Sub-Committees. The Council may change the number of such Committees or Sub-Committees as and when required. Each Committee shall have a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman elected from the Council Members (not including the President and Vice-Presidents). Each Committee shall have the power to appoint Council Member(s) and to co-opt additional person(s) who may or may not be Council Member(s) to serve on the Committee. The President, Vice-Presidents, and the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Committees shall form the Standing Committee. After each Council election, where a new President has been elected, the Council shall appoint the outgoing President as the Immediate Past President for the same term of office as the new President.
26
Rules of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
The Immediate Past President shall sit on both the Council and Standing Committee and shall have the same voting rights as the other Council Members. 21. The Council may invite persons who have made significant contributions to Singapore to serve as Honorary Advisors. The term of office of each Honorary Advisor is the same as that of the Council. 22.
The Secretariat shall be headed by a Secretary-General.
23.
The term of office of the Council, Financial Board, Honorary Presidents, Senior Honorary Council Members and Honorary Council Members shall be three (3) years. All are eligible for re-election or re-appointment.
24. The President, Vice-Presidents and Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Committees shall each serve a term of three (3) years and are eligible for re-election. The President, Vice-Presidents and the Chairman of Finance Committee shall be eligible for re-election for only one consecutive term. The Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee and the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of other Committees shall be eligible for re-election for only two (2) consecutive terms. For the purpose of determining whether the President, Vice-Presidents and Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of all Committees have exceeded the maximum term, the term of office served by them pursuant to Rule 26 shall not be taken into consideration. 25.
The outgoing Council shall not relinquish its duties before the incoming Council takes office.
26.
In the event that the President, Vice-President, Chairmen or Vice-Chairmen of each Committee vacates his office, the Council shall elect a person from the existing Council to fill the vacancy. In the event that a Council Member vacates his office, the vacancy shall be filled by a reserve candidate of the same
27
category from the previous Council Election. In the event that there is no reserve candidate and the remaining term of office exceeds one year (twelve calendar months), there shall be a by-election conducted according to Rule 50. The Council Member elected in the by-election shall hold office for the remainder of that term. Any changes in the Council shall be notified to the Registrar of Societies within two weeks of the change. 27.
Members of the Council and the Financial Board are not entitled to receive any remuneration.
28.
Any members of the Council or the Financial Board shall be disqualified from holding office if:
28.1 he becomes an undischarged bankrupt;
28.2 he commits a material breach of the Rules;
28.3 he has been convicted of an offence by a court of law in Singapore or elsewhere and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or to a fine of not less than $5,000 and has not received a free pardon. Where the conviction is by a court of law elsewhere, the person shall not be disqualified from holding office unless the offence is also one which, had it been committed in Singapore, would have been punishable by a court of law in Singapore; or
28.4 he ceases to be an Ordinary Member or registered representative of an Ordinary Member or Trade Association Member for more than sixty (60) days.
CHAPTER 8 - POWERS & DUTIES 29.
The highest authority of the Chamber shall be vested in the General Meeting of the members.
28
Rules of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
30.
The powers and duties of the Officers and the Committees of the Chamber are as follows:
30.1 The President shall have the full power to represent the Chamber, carry out resolutions of Council Meetings and manage the Chamber’s affairs. The responsibilities of the three (3) Vice-Presidents shall be designated by the President. The Vice-President(s) appointed by the President to act on his behalf during his leave shall act in accordance with these Rules and his instructions.
30.2 The Honorary Presidents, Senior Honorary Council Members and Honorary Council Members may be invited to attend Council Meetings but they will have no voting rights.
30.3 The Council shall have all the powers conferred by these Rules and resolutions of General Meetings.
30.4 The Standing Committee shall deal with urgent and important matters of the Chamber in between Council Meetings and study proposals made by the various Committees before submitting them to the Council. It shall also supervise the implementation of resolutions passed by the Council.
30.5 The General Affairs Committee shall take charge of the Secretariat and any other matters not specifically assigned to the other Committees.
30.6 The Finance Committee shall take charge of the Chamber’s finance and budgets.
30.7 The Council may determine the duties of any other Committees set up by it as and when required.
30.8 The Secretary-General shall take charge of the Secretariat and report to the Chairman of General Affairs Committee
29
on all Secretariat matters. For all other matters, the Secretary-General shall report to the President, VicePresidents and the Chairmen of the relevant Committees.
30.9 Accounts of the Chamber shall be audited by a qualified Public Accounting Firm registered with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore.
31.
During the absence of the President, the Vice-President(s) duly appointed by the President under Rule 30.1 shall act on behalf of the President. In the event that the President and all the Vice-Presidents are absent, the Council shall appoint a Council Member to act on behalf of the President.
CHAPTER 9 - MEETINGS 32.
The meetings of the Chamber are as follows:
32.1 Annual General Meeting;
32.2 Extraordinary General Meeting;
32.3 Council Meeting;
32.4 Standing Committee Meeting;
32.5 Financial Board Meeting;
32.6 Committee Meeting; and
32.7 Other Meetings.
32.8 The Chinese language and Mandarin shall be used at all meetings under Rules 32.1 to 32.6. For other meetings under Rules 32.7, the Chinese language and Mandarin shall be used as far as practicable.
33.
The Annual General Meeting shall be convened by the Council and held once a year on a date fixed by the Council. The date shall not be later than the 30th day of June of every year.
30
Rules of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
34. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened by the Council as and when required or upon a written request stating the reason(s) for the meeting either by not less than fifty (50) members or not less than ten (10) Council Members. If three-fourths of the requisitionists are not present in person at the Extraordinary General Meeting so convened, the meeting shall not proceed and no adjournment shall be granted. 35.
The President shall be appointed chairman of each General Meeting. In his absence, one of the Vice-Presidents shall be appointed the chairman. In the absence of the President and all Vice-Presidents, the members present shall elect a chairman.
36. Seven (7) days’ prior notice of a General Meeting shall be given. 37.
The quorum for an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting shall be at least fifty-six (56) members, and a simple majority shall be required to pass an ordinary resolution. Subject to Rule 34, in the event that there is no quorum, the chairman may adjourn the meeting for half an hour to be held at the same place. After adjournment and notwithstanding the number of members present, those shall be deemed to form a quorum, and a simple majority shall be required to pass a resolution. In the case of a resolution which will lead to an amendment of these Rules, the minimum attendance of fifty-six (56) members and the approval of at least two-thirds of the members present and voting shall be required to pass the resolution.
38. Individual members shall attend the General Meetings in person and are not entitled to appoint proxies. Registered representatives of Corporate and Trade Association members shall attend the General Meetings on behalf of the members. The Chamber must be notified in writing of any changes to the
31
registered representatives at least three (3) days before any such meeting. 39.
The quorum for a Council Meeting shall be at least fifteen (15) Council Members. All resolutions passed under Rule 10 and Rule 65 require the approval of at least two-thirds of the Council Members present and voting. For all other resolutions, a simple majority of Council Members present and voting shall be sufficient. In case of any deadlock, the chairman of that Council Meeting shall have a casting vote.
40.
Council Meetings shall be held once a month and additional Council Meetings may be convened as and when required or upon requisition by at least five (5) Council Members.
41.
The President shall be the chairman of each Council Meeting.
42. Standing Committee Meetings may be convened by the President or Vice-Presidents as and when required and all resolutions passed shall be ratified by the Council. 43. Meetings of the Financial Board shall be convened by its Chairman as and when required. 44. Committee Meetings shall be convened by the respective Chairmen and all resolutions passed shall be ratified by the Council. 45.
The Annual General Meeting and other meetings of the Chamber may be held physically or digitally and in more than one location. A member or Council Member may attend, be heard and make representations at such meetings by electronic means if access to audio-visual broadcast of the meeting is provided to such member or Council Member. Where proxy instructions are allowed, it can also be given by electronic means. Voting may also be done digitally through an electronic voting system or otherwise.
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46.
Rules of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Notice of the Annual General Meeting and other meetings and documents may be served by way of electronic communications or as a physical copy or by publishing on the Chamber’s website.
47. A quorum may be formed for meetings of the Chamber by members or Council Members (as the case may be) personally or electronically present. A member or Council Member is electronically present at a meeting if such member or Council Member attends the meeting in the manner provided in Rule 46 and is acknowledged by electronic means by the chairman or convenor of the meeting as present at the meeting. 48.
For the avoidance of doubt, Rules 45 to 47 are without prejudice and in addition to any provisions under applicable law that may apply in respect of the conduct of meetings by electronic means by registered societies.
CHAPTER 10 - ELECTION 49. The Council shall consist of fifty-five (55) Council members elected in accordance with Rule 50. Council members shall elect the President, Vice-Presidents, Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the various Committees amongst themselves and the voting papers shall not be signed. In cases of an equal number of votes, the position shall be decided by drawing lots. 50.
The Election Procedures are as follows:
50.1 For the election of each new Council, an Election Committee comprising five to seven (5-7) Council Members, shall be appointed in the month of October in the year preceding the expiry of the term of the Council. This Election Committee shall be responsible for preparing for the coming election, and the President shall be the
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Chairman of the Election Committee. The responsibilities of the Election Committee are as follows:
(1)
Determine the procedure, methods and schedule for the Council Election;
(2)
Disseminate and publicise information on the date of the election;
(3)
Compile and print a list of members and their registered representatives;
(4)
Examine the qualifications of candidates;
(5)
Compile and print a list of qualified candidates;
(6)
Procure the printing of ballot papers;
(7)
Supervise the balloting and counting of ballots;
(8)
Publicly announce the election results; and
(9)
Notify elected Council Members.
50.2 Candidates who wish to be elected to the Council must first be nominated to stand in the elections. The Election Committee shall fix any one week preceding the date of election as the Nomination Week. Nominations shall be on prescribed forms and the election shall be carried out in three stages.
(1)
The first stage The Council Members shall elect fifteen (15) persons amongst the Corporate and Individual Council Members and three (3) persons amongst the Trade Association Council Members.
(2)
The second stage The Trade Association members shall elect fourteen (14) persons amongst themselves as Council Members.
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Rules of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
(3)
The third stage The Corporate and Individual members shall elect twenty-three (23) persons amongst themselves as Council Members. Any four (4) Corporate and Individual members shall make the nomination jointly and no member shall make more than one nomination.
50.3 If the number of candidates for a category in the Council is the same as the number of contested seats in the same category, all candidates for that category will be deemed to be elected.
50.4 If the number of candidates for a category in the Council exceeds the number of contested seats in the same category, the election of candidates for that category shall proceed by the casting of votes. In the event of an equal number of votes, the Chairman of the Election Committee shall decide by drawing lots.
50.5 If the number of candidates for a category in the Council is less than the number of contested seats in the same category, the Election Committee shall propose suitable persons to the incoming Council to fill the vacant seats for that category.
51.
The incoming Council shall be elected one month before the outgoing Council is due to retire.
52. The Election Committee shall by notice in writing invite all members of the outgoing Council to witness the opening and counting of the votes. 53.
The Council shall retire and the incoming Council shall take office on any day in the month of March.
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54.
The Election Committee shall cease to exist on the day the incoming Council takes office.
55.
Members who join the Chamber after the 31st day of August the year before the election shall have no right to elect or to be elected during that election.
56. Any member falling under any one of the circumstances stipulated in Rule 28 or who will reach the age of 70 by the 15th day of March in the year the incoming Council is to take office shall not be eligible to be nominated or elected as a Council Member. This age limit shall not apply to the post of Immediate Past President. 57. Nominated candidates shall sign on the nomination form to signify their willingness to be nominated and accept office if successfully elected. 58.
The outgoing Council shall hand over to the incoming Council all documents, books and other property of the Chamber at the inauguration.
CHAPTER 11 - FINANCE & EXPENSES 59. The Financial Board shall be responsible for all immovable properties belonging to the Chamber. Annual statement of accounts and balance sheets shall be prepared by the accountant and audited by the Auditors before it is submitted at the Annual General Meeting for approval and publication. 60.
The Finance Committee shall manage all funds of the Chamber and any fund investment proposal shall be submitted to the Council for prior approval. The Council shall determine the manner in which bills, notes, receipts, acceptances, endorsements, cheques, releases, contracts and documents shall be signed or executed by or on behalf of the Chamber.
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Rules of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry
61.
Expenses of the Chamber shall be as follows:
61.1 Current expenses as covered by the budget drawn up by the Finance Committee and passed by a Council Meeting.
61.2 Special expenses, jointly approved by any two (2) persons amongst the President or three (3) Vice-Presidents, shall not exceed $10,000.00. Any special expense exceeding that amount shall require the prior approval of the Council by way of a resolution.
62. Prior approval of members by way of a General Meeting is required for the purchase or sale of immovable properties and the giving or raising of loans by the Chamber.
CHAPTER 12 - AWARDS 63.
Any member or officer or employee of the Chamber who has done any praiseworthy deed or has contributed a substantial sum of money to the Chamber shall be given due recognition in such manner as the Council may approve.
CHAPTER 13 - APPENDIX 64.
The Council may make By-Laws and Regulations for the conduct of the affairs of the Chamber.
65.
The Council may submit proposed amendments to these Rules to a General Meeting for approval.
66.
Such proposed amendments, after being passed at a General Meeting and approved by the Registrar of Societies, shall become effective from the date of approval.
67.
Every Council Member and Secretariat staff of the Chamber shall, for the time being, be indemnified out of the assets of
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the Chamber against any liability incurred by him in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in connection with or arising out of the proper execution of his duties under these Rules and in which judgement is given in his favour or in which he is acquitted PROVIDED that, if so determined by the General Meeting, this indemnity shall not extend to any deliberate act calculated to cause harm to the Chamber and/or is contrary to these Rules.
Notes: These Rules have been previously amended, duly passed at the General Meeting and approved by the Registrar of Societies, Singapore on the following dates:
Date of General Meeting 1. 30th August 1959 2. 12th October 1968 3. 5th March 1977 4. 6th July 1977 5. 6th March 1982 6. 25th June 1983 7. 5th March 1988 8. 3rd March 1990 9. 21st August 1993 10. 22nd June 1996 11. 11th June 2008 12. 27th May 2010 13. 27th April 2018 14. 30th April 2021
Date Approved by Registrar of Societies 1st December 1959 3rd December 1968 15th March 1977 15th July 1977 17th May 1982 16th September 1983 20th August 1988 30th April 1990 25th January 1994 27th July 1996 3rd September 2008 19th August 2010 7th June 2018 5th May 2021
* In case of any conflict between the Chinese version and the English version of these Rules, the English version shall prevail.
47 Hill Street, Singapore 179365 Tel: (65) 6337 8381 Fax: (65) 6339 0605 E-mail: corporate@sccci.org.sg www.sccci.org.sg