I RECENTLY attended a few annual general meetings (AGMs), and observed that a majority of the people were there more for the food than the meeting's agenda.
Before the AGMs ended, many could be seen leaving the room so that they can be the first to reach the buffet table.
Some were also packing food to take away.
Many companies try to solve this problem by giving out meal coupons to help prevent a rush for the food.
However, this does not solve the problem completely, as can be seen at the recent China Merchants AGM.
The meeting was at 4pm but quite a number of shareholders arrived at 4.30pm, one of whom disrupted the meeting because he was told that there were no more meal coupons.
He was joined by a few other shareholders and, together, they caused the extraordinary general meeting after the AGM to be disrupted.
It reflects badly on the nation when someone feels the need to barge into a meeting to demand a meal coupon.
Is food really an entitlement at all the AGMs?
If required, perhaps meal coupons can be handed out and redeemed before the start of an AGM.
Those who are there only for the food - some of whom tend to talk during the sessions - can then take the coupons and leave without attending the meeting.
Alan Ng Soon Hock
