Event and Activiries

Excerpts of Minutes of 3rd Annual General Meeting Minutes of 3rd AGM held on 12 November 2005, Golden Crown Restaurant, Queenstown Golf Club, 60, Jalan Penjara, Singapore:

Photos show some members at the meeting and dinner after the Annual General Meeting
at the Golden Crown Restaurant where the meeting was held.

1. The meeting was attended by nine committee members and three other members.

Minutes of the 2nd AGM, 24 April 2004, was presented and read out by the President.

On matters arising, it was brought to the attention of the meeting that there was no immediate need to amend our constitution.

It was reported that the Singapore Tourism Board decided to build a small replica of the ‘dragon’s tooth’ on the waterfront within the Labrador Park [see photo]. It was reported also that the conversion of a ship into a replica of Zheng He’s treasure ship did not proceed.

2. Change of address: Without the support of Mr. Wong Ah Long, GM of Suntec City, to allow the Society to use Suntec City as our registered address, it will be necessary for the Society to change its registered address again (see discussion below). Mr. Wong resigned from Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centreearlier in the year.

3. Publications: Drs Tan updated members on the status of the Society’s publications. Details are provided in the President’s report (see section 3.1).

4. Activities review:

Dr Leo reported that some members feel that our newsletter should include material in Mandarin as many members are more comfortable in the language.

It was noted that several members gave speeches related to Zheng He. It was suggested that they should be approached to make available copies of the text of their presentations for inclusion in the Society’s website.

The President revealed that the Cheng Ho Cultural Museum in Malacca is now opened. The scale is very large with a floor area of 60,000 sq feet. The Malaysian Prime Minister Badawi will be invited to officially open the Museum.

The President announced that members would be able to visit the Museum free-of-charge. Mr. Chuah Tong Hai suggests that members be given tickets for them to visit the Museum at their convenience.

It was agreed that on the occasion of the official opening of the Museum, arrangement should be made for members to take part in the opening ceremony, time permitting.

It was agreed that the Society should approach the Hang Li Po Drama Group in Malaysia to come down to Singapore to put on a show. They are able to perform in either Chinese or English. Mr Ong Chu Meng opined that it will be necessary to find sponsors to give financial support to the event. Mr Ong and Mr Chen Poh Seng kindly agreed to take on the responsibility to organise such an event in Singapore.

It was agreed to publish the Society’s next newsletter within the next few months. Vice President, Dr Leo, will take responsibility for its publication.

5. Financial report: financial report for the year ending 28 February 2005 was presented by the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Ong Chu Meng. He offered the following comments:

Income for the Society came mainly from the President, Drs Tan, through the sale of the book, Zheng He Epic, and donations from members including purchase of books by Mr Wong Ah Long.

Expenses included items arising from printing and entertainment for visitors.

It was noted that Mr Kitson Ng and Mr Ong Chu Meng generously donated a sum of five hundred dollars (S$500/-) each to the Society.

6. New Location for the Society: The president reported that discussion with Mr See Seng Min, owner of Golden Crown Restaurant in the Queenstown Gold Club is agreeable to allow the Society to use the Tea House owned by him for the use of the Society. It should be noted that the premises is leased from the Government and has, in the past, been extended on a two-yearly basis. Its availability is premised on the transfer of the ownership to a mainland China company for the operation of a restaurant. If successful, the premises can be used as a home for the Society and for its activities.

7. Mr Kitson Ng was coopted as member of the Committee. Mr Ng Yong Seng Harsono agreed to help in the work of the Committee.

8. The Meeting adjourned at 181O hr. This was followed by dinner hosted by the President for members who stayed behind.