The first virtual SLA 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) came to a successful close on 29 May 2020.

At the onset, Mr Kay Kong Swan who presided the meeting said that it is unprecedented to conduct the AGM on a virtual platform as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of us to change our meeting format from a customary in-person meeting to a virtual setting.  In organizing the meeting, all efforts have been made to observe the provisions in the SLA Constitution and the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 – Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Registered Societies. He highlighted that as the SLA Constitution currently does not specifically allow online voting, Ordinary Member representatives have to submit their proxy forms in advance and appoint the Chairperson of the meeting as their proxy to vote. He thanked the SLA Legal Counsel, Ms Wendy Tan from Morgan Lewis Stamford for giving guidance in this arrangement. 

Specifically, Mr Kay thanked members for their support in facilitating the organizing of the AGM within a short time. These comprised 8 Ordinary Member Representatives who were present at the virtual meeting as well another 55 Ordinary Member Representatives who appointed the chairman of the AGM as their proxy to vote on the agenda items.

In his Chairman Address, Mr Kay recapped the difficult year in 2019 where the Singapore economy expanded by 0.7 per cent, the slowest full-year growth since a decade ago, against a backdrop of the ongoing trade conflict between US and China, and the negative sentiment from the persistent Hong Kong protests.  Despite the non-favorable economic and geo-political landscape, the theme for SLA in 2019 is Tying Connections.  The Association pressed on to accomplish numerous work activities, made possible only by working in collaboration with partners.  Many of the initiatives were supported by various government agencies notably, Enterprise Singapore, Infocomm Media Development Authority and Workforce Singapore.  He cited the example of The Logistics Fair in October 2019, the forum - “Driving WSH Excellence through Innovation and Technology” in July 2019 and the Global Ready Talent Programme which was launched in October 2019 where the Association has been appointed a programme partner.  

Mr Kay stressed that going beyond, year 2020 will even be more difficult, given the current global pandemic.  He urged everyone to work even more closely together and help each other to continue with the transformation journey to sustain and elevate the industry.

Through proxy, the meeting approved the minutes of the 45th AGM held on 31 May 2019, Report of the Council and Financial Statements of the association for the year ended 31 December 2019, as well as reappointed PKF-CAP LLP as Auditor until the next AGM.  Also through proxy, the meeting elected all 14 nominees as members of the SLA Council for a 2-year 2020/2021 term.

At the close of the meeting, Mr Chan Hsien Hung on behalf of the Council and all, thanked Mr Kay Kong Swan for steering the association in the past 2 years. He attributed Mr Kay as the mastermind in making SLA a lead association for the logistics sector today.  SLA has benefitted much from his strategic direction and capable leadership.

Everyone present then responded live on-air, pressed the “Reaction” button and gave thumbs up to Mr Kay and the management team for the well-organized virtual AGM.