SMA congratulates Dr Ng Chee Kwan, who was elected as SMA President during the SMA Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 30 April 2023, conducted in hybrid format.
Outgoing SMA President Dr Tan Yia Swam started the proceedings by thanking Members for attending the AGM either in person or via teleconference.
Honorary Secretary Adj Asst Prof Ng Chew Lip highlighted the ground rules for the AGM and led the review of the 2022 AGM minutes. The minutes were confirmed and adopted, with no matters arising from it.
Having achieved quorum at the AGM, Members present voted on the agenda item relating to two proposed amendments to the SMA Constitution. The first amendment related to a proposed increase of membership fees to $250 (before GST), which was last amended in 2007. The second amendment related to a proposed change that AGMs may be held in person, electronically, or a combination of both.
Voting was conducted using the Zoom poll function for online attendees and physical voting slips for attendees who were present in person.
Both amendments passed with the required two-thirds majority. SMA is in the process of submitting the changes to the Registry of Societies for approval.
A minute of silence was then observed for SMA Members who have passed away since the 2022 AGM.
Members present were referred to the SMA Annual Report 2022/2023 themed "Partnering Doctors, Shaping Healthcare". The Annual Report was then adopted.
Next, Honorary Treasurer Dr Daniel Lee Hsien Chieh presented the 2022 accounts for SMA, of which he highlighted an operating surplus of $279K (excluding investment accounts) in 2022.
The accounts for SMA Pte Ltd (SMAPL) were presented by Adj Prof Tan Sze Wee, Chairperson of SMAPL. SMAPL's profit and loss statement largely depends on the performance of its investments. For 2022, SMAPL's investment account recorded a net loss of $1M after tax which included a dividend income of $192K.
Dr Chong Yeh Woei, Chairperson of the SMA Charity Fund (SMACF), then presented his report. SMACF awarded bursaries to 51 medical students in 2022/23, disbursing a total of $255,000.
Members present affirmed the SMA Council's proposal to elect Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan as an SMA Honorary Member.
Elections for the 64th SMA Council were then conducted. The AGM noted an appreciation of thanks to Adj A/Prof Tan Tze Lee, who is stepping down from the SMA Council. Adj A/Prof Tan TL has served in the SMA Council since 2013.
New Council member Dr Lim Khong Jin Michael, a principal family physician at the Institute of Mental Health, made an introduction at the AGM and shared his commitment to serve members of the profession alongside fellow Council members.
The election for the executive committee was then conducted. With that, the AGM was concluded.
