HOME Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng on Monday urged members of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) to 'stay united' and 'stand in solidarity' with the council by giving their fullest support.

Mr Wong's call is seen as closing the rift over the election of committee members. At the chamber's recent election, four council positions were left vacant out of seven representing the Chinese dialect groups that founded the body. It was the first time this has happened since the constitution was amended in 1993.

The unsuccessful nominees were from three major dialect groups - Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese.

Speaking at the installation ceremony of the 55th council of the SCCCI on Monday morninmg, Mr Wong said the issue of representation by clan affiliations and dialect groups in the SCCCI council is not a new one.

He said that when then-DPM Lee Hsien Loong spoke at the installation of the 46th and 48th councils in 1991 and 1995, Mr Lee had commented that the council should reflect its representation based on 'the distribution of economic activities rather than distinctions based on clans.'

'He had also suggested that the council representation should reflect the fastest growing sectors and industries in the economy,' Mr Wong said.

Mr Wong added that in a business chamber, dialect group and clan affiliations 'should weigh less heavily as compared to other factors such as common professional and business interests.'

'Of course, I also recognise that it is important for us not to forget our roots, otherwise we'll lose our culture and traditional values,' the minister said.

The SCCCI's new president is shipping veteran Teo Siong Seng, who takes over from Mr Chua Thian Poh, chairman and chief executive of Ho Bee Holdings.

More than 200 people attended the installation event, but three council members were absent: United Overseas Bank's deputy chairman and chief executive Wee Ee Cheong, Dai-ichi Consultancy director Tan Meng Kow and Ms Claire Chiang of Banyan Tree Holdings.