Chapter 1527: Xia Yuzheng was re-elected unanimously

Huang Ziming spoke eloquently: 'Over the past three years, under the leadership of the chairman, our company has developed rapidly, with assets of over 10 billion US dollars. We are a giant company in Southeast Asia, and even have a certain degree of influence on a global scale.'

'However, we can see that although the company is already very large, it is still in a period of rapid growth.'

'We all have capital needs, but even if we take all the profits and distribute them as dividends, we would only get a little over 60 million US dollars.

'That's certainly not a small amount, but it's not necessarily enough to do big things.

'It's better to get a bank loan, and there are plenty of banks in our group, so we can solve our capital needs.

'So I suggest that even if we want to distribute dividends, we should do it symbolically, less than 20%, or we should not distribute dividends at all.

'These are my views for your reference.'

Xia Yu nodded slightly, without commenting or expressing any preference.

After waiting for ten seconds, he looked at Chen Yongzai, who was sitting next to Huang Ziming, and the latter noticed Xia Yu's gaze.

Without Xia Yu having to say anything, he understood and said aloud, 'My personal preference is not to distribute dividends this time. The reason is similar to what Huang Ziming said. The company is still in a period of rapid growth, and the utilization rate of funds is very high.'

'If this money is distributed to us, I think many people will use it even less.'

'Now is not the time!'

'I am done speaking.'

...

Next, everyone spoke up one after the other, very consciously.

Apart from a few individuals who might have capital needs and suggested a dividend, most of them believed that there was no need for a dividend for the time being.

Finally, it was Xia Yu's turn as the chairman of the board to speak.

Facing the focused gaze of the crowd, Xia Yu gave a small smile and said, 'It's only March, the beginning of the year, and although we have already achieved great results, which is worth celebrating.'

'But what I want to say is that everyone can set their sights a little further ahead. The global economy has a lot of capacity and is growing rapidly, and this opportunity should not be missed.'

'Most importantly, I think there is still a very good opportunity this year. I am still observing the situation, and even if the profit is not as good as this European operation, it will probably not be too bad.'

'Don't ask for details, I will let you know when the time comes.'

'So my opinion is not to pay a dividend.'

After he had finished speaking, everyone listened with different expressions on their faces, generally a mixture of curiosity and expectation.

Unfortunately, their appetites had been whetted, but there was no way to ask, so they could only hold back.

'Okay, everyone has expressed their opinions, let's vote by show of hands.'

'Those in favour of a dividend, raise your hands!'

After saying this, Xia Yu swept his gaze around the room, and no one raised their hand, not even the person who had just suggested a dividend, who had changed his mind.

'Then, those who disagree with the dividend raise their hands.'

This time, everyone raised their hands.

'Good, unanimous consent, everyone clap to pass.'

'Clap, clap...'

A round of warm applause rang out, which lasted for a few seconds and then stopped.

Xia Yu took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and said in a serious voice, 'Next, we will proceed to the second agenda item, the election of the second board of directors of the company.'

'First, on behalf of the board of directors, I will report to all shareholders on the work of the previous term of office.'

'Over the past three years, with everyone's trust and support, the company has developed smoothly...'

Xia Yu's report was not long, just a little over 2,000 words.

He didn't need flowery rhetoric to praise his own achievements, it was full of facts, and he used data and results to demonstrate his achievements over the past three years.

And after the ten-minute report, a half-minute long round of applause expressed the recognition of his achievements from everyone present.

After Xia Yu finished his report, he directly began the election process.

The articles of association of Southeast Asia International Holdings are also different from those of most other companies. After all, it was made clear at the beginning of its establishment that this was a company destined never to go public.

And this company cannot be viewed simply in terms of its nature.

It is more of a leadership and control platform for the Southeast Asia consortium, like an administrative body.

Even if Xia Yu does not become the chairman, with Xia Yu's prestige, he can still lead the Southeast Asia consortium.

But with the institutionalisation of the company, it will be possible to avoid some unnecessary conflicts and save someone from having evil intentions.

Due to the unique nature of Southeast Asia International Holdings, the election process is naturally completely different.

No new members have been admitted in the past three years, and the original 22 members are all shareholders and directors of the company, so the election process is very simple.

There is no need for campaign speeches or to explicitly indicate that you are not running. The election is simply a vote for the position, and the person with the most votes is elected. After the results are announced, if someone expresses unwillingness to take up the position, they will be replaced by the next person with the most votes.

The first position to be elected is, without a doubt, the most important position of chairman of the board.

Except for Xia Yu, who had two votes, the other 21 people each had one vote, making a total of 23 votes, all of which were real votes.

Everyone got up and left their seats. Huo Yingdong, the chairman of the board of supervisors, took the lead in casting the first vote, and the people behind him followed suit, quickly finishing the round.

'We will now begin to open the boxes and read out the votes!'

'Xia Yu, one vote!'

'Xia Yu, one vote!'

'Xia Yu, one vote!'

...

Under the supervision of Huo Yingdong, Li Zhaoji solemnly pulled out the votes one by one and read out the names, while Guo Fangfeng counted the votes on the board.

When all the votes had been counted, there was still only one name on the board – Xia Yu!

As for the number of votes, it was 23, all in favour!

Even though he had expected it, Xia Yu's mood really improved when he saw this happen, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

'The vote counting is complete. Let's congratulate Mr Xia on being unanimously re-elected.'

'Clap, clap, clap...'

Feng Yingdong's serious expression on his face instantly disappeared, and he congratulated him loudly with a smile on his face, taking the lead in applauding.

In an instant, the entire conference room was filled with thunderous applause, which continued for more than a minute before finally subsiding.

'Thank you all for your trust. In the next three years, I will definitely not let you down!'

Xia Yu gave a concise and serious statement in return for everyone's support.

He didn't say much else, as there were still many positions to be elected.

Next came the election of the vice-chairmen.

There were three vice-chairman positions.

After voting, the top three were Bao Yugang, Huo Yingdong and Lee Kong Chian.

However, Bao Yugang came forward and stated that he would no longer serve as vice-chairman, so the fourth-place vote was passed to Guo Hearnian.

Therefore, the three vice-chairmen of the second session were Fok Ying Tung, Lee Kong Chian and Kuok Hock Nien.

The chairman of the supervisory board was elected as Pao Yu-kong.

Tan Eng Chye was re-elected as secretary-general.

At this point, the general election was over.

There were not many changes in the main body of members, except that Pao Yu-kong and Fok Ying Tung swapped places, and Lee Kong Chian from Star City replaced Wong Yik Chung from Indonesia.

This term of office is also three years. If there are no special circumstances like this year, then there will be another general election in March 1990.

Next, after a 15-minute intermission,

everyone gathered again for the third phase of the meeting to discuss the strategic development direction for this year.

Everyone expressed their opinions on this topic. Xia Yu did not speak his mind early, but instead took the opportunity to observe. This was a good opportunity to understand everyone's inclinations and mentality.

Compared to the development of Southeast Asia International Holdings, his focus was on understanding people and controlling the entire group.

As long as he understood everyone's thoughts, even if the company had limitations that prevented many ideas from being implemented, Xia Yu could still work in depth with other members on his own, further bind them, and expand his influence throughout Southeast Asia.