600 public complaints to DBKK every month
Published on: Thursday, October 02, 2014
KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) receives about 600 complaints from the public every month, said its Director-General Datuk Yeo Boon Hai.He, however, did not elaborate but wished that the complainants were as good as Toastmasters in terms of communication skills."Communication is essentially what links everyone together. It is easy to communicate with Toastmasters because they are articulate. They are able to organise their thoughts and speak well.ADVERTISEMENT "For effective communication, there must be three basic rules, namely clarity, coherence and brevity."But listening to others is just as important as your ability to express yourself. That way, you will find your relationship will blossom better," he said when officiating at the 23rd Installation Banquet of the Kota Kinabalu Toastmasters Club (KKTMC).KKTMC is the Mother Club of Toastmasters Clubs in Sabah and Brunei.Yeo noted that the club has the dynamic structure to nurture talented individuals, especially in a vibrant city such as Kota Kinabalu.ADVERTISEMENT "Communication and leadership are skills that develop over time and with practice. Organisations such as KKTMC provide an avenue for enthusiastic members of the community to explore and nurture their latent talents."It is well-known that the best leaders are also first-rate communicators," he said.
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Meanwhile, he congratulated outgoing President Fia Iskandar and her team for having achieved the Presidential Distinguished Award.District 87 Area K1 Governor, Susanna Koh (2014-2015) conducted the installation ceremony. Businessman Vijay Panickar succeeded Fia as the new President of KKTMC for the 2014-2015 term with the Presidential theme Ignite Your Spark.Vijay has broken a seven-year jinx, which saw the club having been led by seven ladies, to be at the helm. Beginning 2007, the Presidents were Agnes Yapp, Sylvia Maten, Jasmine Leong, Nora Ridzwan, Joanna Liew, Jamie Chieng and Fia Iskandar. Of the 22 Presidents since KKTMC's inception in 1990, nine have been women, the pioneers being Datuk Adeline Leong and Christine Yap.In his address, he pledged to do his best to see the club succeed in the incoming term."I am blessed to be a part of a dynamic leadership team, made up of individuals who are vibrant and passionate about sharing the values of Toastmasters with all our members."We promise that we as a team will strive to uphold all that has been handed down to us and we will achieve our goals," he said. Vijay, however, said pins, certificates and awards are not the focal point of his presidency."The priority of the new leadership team is to ensure that members have ample opportunity to grow and develop their creativity towards becoming better leaders and communicators," he added.Earlier, Fia said taking up the role as President of KKTMC (2013-2014) has been one of the greatest learning experiences for her. "I learnt so much about leadership, followership, friendship, and most importantly, I learnt so much about myself," she said, adding it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She attributed the club's President's Distinguished Status to teamwork, saying that at the end of the day, it is about who the Toastmasters have become after achieving their goals.Organising Chairperson Joanna Liew said Toastmasters is all about providing people with a platform to "perfect" their communication and leadership skills."Toastmasters is not just a club that gives you the manual on how to be a better emcee, a better performer, a better leader. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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It actually teaches you by giving you a chance to actually do it. It is hands-on experience," said the Division K Governor.Also present was the Charter President Raveendran Subramaniam (1990-1992) who related a story to inspire those who have yet to do so, to sign up as members of KKTMC.