The new General Manager, Angie Gan and Sports Manager, Rajasingam Ampalavanar have reported for work. The Committee is now ready to implement the much debated mission statement of 'Management Must Manage the Club".

To achieve this goal, the present Committee Members/Convenors of various portfolios have unanimously agreed to refrain from giving instructions to staff on matters which are the run of mill day to day matters. The Committee will focus on formulating policies, modifying and discarding old policies.

The priority task of the General Manager is to narrow the substantial operation deficit which still hovers around RM6.4 million. The Committee will support carefully thought out actions and programmes that will reduce costs and/or increase revenue.

Recent actions taken by The Committee included suspending the provision of FREE tennis balls to the Tennis Section, a privilege extended to the Tennis Section that started many years ago. Another was the increase in the rental charges for lockers from RM5 to RM20 per month. This increase raised quite a few objections and protests. Except for free daily lockers, no lockers were available for rent since 1999. The waiting list is now standing at 144. A recent survey over one weekend found that there are many younger Members who are anxiously waiting for the chance to rent a personal locker.

I wish to assure Members that some of the actions of The Committee may be unpopular to some Members but, nevertheless are considered necessary in the interest and for the benefit of all Members. The Committee should not be dissuaded and deterred from discharging its fiduciary duties for fear or favour.

The Draft Structure Plan of Kuala Lumpur is proposing a road (elevated/underground) across our grounds linking Jalan Raja Chulan to the middle road Jalan Kampong Pandan. The Committee is establishing an Ad-hoc Sub-Committee to monitor and coordinate the various actions needed to establish and protect the rights of our Club.

DATO' BOBBY J.T. ONG  Captain