Goh King Chin

Goh King Chin (; born 1 January 1943) or also simply known as Pehin Goh, is a Bruneian nobleman and businessperson of Chinese descent who is thought to be a multimillionaire and well-known philanthropist. He presently serves as the managing director of the Goh Hock Kee (GHK) Group of Companies, which comprises GHK Motors, GHK Auto Assembly, and MBA Insurance. In addition to serving as an advisor to the Hokkien Association, the Chung Hwa Middle School in Bandar Seri Begawan, and the Tutong District. Notably, he was formerly the deputy chairman of the now-defunct Brunei Times.

Early life and career

Goh was born on 1 January 1943 in Tutong District, and previously attended Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College. Wu Fuji or Goh Hock Kee, his father, was born in Lieyu, Kinmen. He then studied at Chung Hwa School, Tutong. Notably, he graduated in class 1964, together with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Abu Bakar Apong. He started a very profitable vehicle import company thirty years ago, abandoned his position with the Government of Brunei's Customs Department after six years. His company, GHK Motors, rose to prominence as a leading provider of passenger automobiles. He started GHK Motors in 1970 with the primary goal of trading in reconditioned secondhand automobiles, primarily continental models from Europe, United States, and a few Japanese car models.

Goh had the idea of delivering high-quality old automobiles to the Sultanate's expanding auto industry. With just himself and one mechanic, they worked incredibly hard to please their first few clients. As a result of their combined efforts, GHK Motors established a solid reputation as a supplier of "Quality Used Cars" in just three years. Inspired by their initial success, Goh made the decision to expand his business to include not just reconditioned used cars but also completely new models.

Early in 1973, the Japanese automaker Daihatsu Motor granted the business rights to sell and promote Daihatsu vehicles and light trucks in the Sultanate.His company pursued the Brunei auto market extensively over the following six years. However, Goh consistently thought that his company might be improved, so he looked around for further business chances and new franchisees. The sole distributorship for the Mitsubishi line of cars and trucks was subsequently given to his company by Mitsubishi Motors in 1979.

Political career

Pehin Goh was appointed on 6 September 2004, and served on the Legislative Council (LegCo) until 15 March 2011. Borneo Bulletin formally declared on 31 May 2011, that he will join the Legislative Council, effective 1 June. While serving on the LegCo, he frequently attended conferences for the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). During a LegCo Meeting in 2016, Pehin Goh affirmed the nation's faith and the Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) national concept by asserting that the nation can overcome the current international issue that is harming it. He further stated that Brunei had previously experienced difficulties related to the drop in oil prices.

Worker shortages

Although Brunei has up to 7000 persons listed as unemployed, a lack of workers is another obstacle to the growth of the country's industries. Increased national skill development, in the opinion of Pehin Goh, is one approach to lower unemployment while boosting the domestic manufacturing industry. He stated as much in a speech to the LegCo in mid-March 2011, "With limits on how many jobseekers the public sector can absorb, it is essential that efforts be made to meet the labour needs of the private sector industries the government is trying to encourage."

Statelessness

A well-known supporter of the Chinese-Bruneian community and LegCo member Pehin Goh suggested to the Minister of Home Affairs, Abu Bakar that the laws governing citizenship be changed on 12 March 2016. His plan called for the citizenship of older stateless people who were born in the country. Additionally, he pointed out that prior to independence, every citizen of Brunei had a British passport; yet, following independence, only those of Malay ancestry were given citizenship. The Minister stated that as the Brunei Nationality Act 1961 was passed before Brunei gained independence in 1984, Chin's arguments were unrelated to the actual text of the legislation and that Chinese-Bruneians had the opportunity to apply for a shortened citizenship process during the independence period.

Previously, stateless people in Brunei are supporting the argument he made at the sixth session of the 9th Legislative Council Session in 2013 about their predicament of encountering challenges when overseas travel and being unable to also buy property due to their status.

Other works

Pehin Goh claims that throughout his more than 30 years of residence in Kampong Jangsak, he observed changes in the flow of traffic along the road, which became backed up during rush hours as a result of the construction of the school and the mosque. The pedestrian bridge over the road in front of Seri Mulia Sarjana School (SMSS) was built in part because to his contributions.

On 20 May 2022, Goh King Chin presented the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) with a sponsorship consisting of 1,000 face masks and 500 bottles of hand sanitizers to commemorate the RBAF's 61st anniversary.

Personal life

Pehin Goh is the eldest child of a Tutong native, Goh Hock Kee. He is married to Datin Chang Nyuk Kee, together they had a son named Jack Goh, Director of GHK Motors. He has a nephew named Wu Chun, an international multi-entrepreneur and artist.

At his home in Kampong Sungai Besar, Pehin Goh frequently hosts Chinese New Year open houses.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei, Pehin Goh was among the first elderly citizens to receive the first vaccination dosage.

Honours

Goh was bestowed the manteri title of ''Yang Berhormat'' ( The Honourable) ''Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja''. Additionally, he has earned the following honours:
* Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB; 15 July 2006) – ''Dato Paduka''; Third Class (SMB)
* Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 15 July 2006)
* Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
* Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) Special Achievement Award (2008)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Goh, King Chin
1939 births
Living people
Bruneian people of Chinese descent
Bruneian businesspeople
Members of the Legislative Council of Brunei