BN tiada masalah memenangi pilihan raya negeri: Abdul Karim

December 3, 2010

MIRI: Barisan Nasional (BN) tidak akan berdepan masalah untuk memenangi pilihan raya akan datang melalui sokongan padu rakyat yang diletakkan ke atas bahu pentadbiran kerajaan sedia ada.

Pengerusi Kelab Penyokong BN Sarawak, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata rakyat sentiasa memberikan sokongan kuat kepada pentadbiran kerajaan selama ini yang telah memberikan kemajuan terhadap pembangunan.

“Kerajaan BN mempunyai bukti-bukti kukuh memperjuangkan kepentingan rakyat dalam mentadbir negara dengan baik dan rakyat turut memberikan sokongan serta kerjasama mereka kepada BN,” jelas beliau.

Menurutnya, kerajaan BN telah membawa pelbagai per-ubahan terhadap kemajuan pembangunan termasuk perpaduan masyarakat yang berbilang kaum di negara ini.

Karim yang juga Ketua Setiausaha Politik Ketua Menteri turut memberitahu rakyat Sarawak kini bertambah yakin kerajaan BN merupakan landasan untuk mencapai kemajuan pembangunan dalam pentadbiran.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam jamuan teh Pra-Krismas dan Hari Wanita anjuran Wanita Persekutuan Persatuan Orang Ulu Sarawak Malaysia (FORUM) bertempat di Hotel ParkCity Everly Miri petang semalam.

Ujar beliau lanjut, sokongan berterusan daripada rakyat dapat dilihat melalui pelbagai program kemasyarakat yang dianjurkan bagi mengukuh-kan lagi hubungan antara masyarakt setempat dengan wakil rakyat.

Karim: Bina velodrom di Sarawak

November 8, 2010

Pembinaan penting demi perkembangan sukan berbasikal di negeri ini

MEMBURU KEJUARAAN: Para pelumba bagi kategori terbuka wanita memulakan cabaran masing-masing di Kuching semalam.

KUCHING: Persatuan Berbasikal Sarawak (PBS) mencadangkan kepada kerajaan negeri agar membina sebuah velodrom basikal sebagai persiapan menghadapi temasya Sukan Malaysia (Sukma VVII) di sini pada 2014.

Presidennya, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata velodrom itu sememangnya amat penting bagi negeri ini sebagai arena kejohanan basikal peringkat kebangsaan mahupun antarabangsa.

“Kita akan mencadangkan kepada kerajaan negeri untuk membina sebuah velodrom di sini bagi meningkatkan mutu sukan berbasikal di samping sebagai persediaan kita menjadi tuan rumah Sukma 2014 nanti,” katanya.

Bercakap kepada pemberita di sini semalam, Abdul Karim berkata pembinaan velodrom itu sememangnya menelan kos yang besar tetapi Sarawak perlu mempunyai kemudahan itu demi meningkatkan mutu sukan basikal di negeri ini.

Menurut Abdul Karim, velodrom itu mungkin dibina di kawasan Kompleks Sukan Petra Jaya yang menempatkan arena sukan seperti stadium bola sepak, sepak takraw, boling padang, gimnastik, paintball, memanah dan sebagainya.

“Kita percaya impian untuk mempunyai sebuah velodrom yang lengkap dengan kemudahan sukan berbasikal akan tercapai suatu hari nanti,” katanya ditemui pada kejohanan Lumba Basikal Sirkit Kebangsaan di sini semalam.

Mengenai hasrat Le Tour de Langkawi untuk menjelajah Sarawak tahun depan, Abdul Karim berkata perkara itu perlu dibincangkan bersama dengan kerajaan negeri dan pelbagai pihak yang terbabit.

Le Tour de Langkawi in Borneo?

November 8, 2010

KUCHING: State and local riders have to improve themselves threefold to justify the need for a major international cycling event to be hosted in Sarawak.

WOMEN POWER: Participants of the Women Open of the Malaysia National Cycling Grand Prix 2010 (Road Race) warming up before the race yesterday.

“There is no point in having a race here if our local riders are not up to the mark,” said Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, president of the Sarawak Cycling Association.

Karim was commenting on the suggestion made by Mohamad Salleh, CEO of the La Tour de Langkawi to bring the international event here.

“We however sincerely hope that one day, an event of such magnitude can be held here. This can be a reality as Sarawak is more or less already linked by roads,” said Karim who have yet to identify the race routes proper.

Early suggestion includes that the event take on major and challenging routes from Kuching to Miri and pass through Brunei Darussalam to the finishing line at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

“Presently, if we organise such events here, there is a lot of angles to be looked into such as logistics and accommodation. This will take a lot of extra costs as compared to holding it in Semenanjung Malaysia,” he added.

This is also true at the end of the spectrum for Sarawakians who travels to Semenanjung Malaysia for races.

Proposed White Paper not meant to curtail media freedom

November 07, 2010

The proposed White Paper should not be seen as a regulation or guideline that was confined only to opposition parties but applied to all, irrespective of their political beliefs. -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

MIRI, (Nov 6, 2010) : Media organisations should not worry about the White Paper proposed by the Sarawak Government to curb unhealthy political practices that could disrupt racial harmony or cause religious tension, said Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan today.

He said the proposed White Paper was not intended to curtail the freedom of the media in carrying out their duties.

Speaking to reporters after a presentation ceremony of education bursaries by the Miri Chinese Charitable Trust Board here today, he said the paper aimed to curb actions by any parties that could be detrimental to the state.

"It is okay for you (the media) to say this is not right or that is not right but you don't have to have a campaign to make somebody to hate some others so much," he added.

The Sarawak state assembly passed a motion on Tuesday for the state government to prepare and publish the white paper which covered individuals organisations and media to prevent the escalation of dangerous politics employed by outsiders, especially politicians.

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya) when tabling the motion said the proposed White Paper should not be seen as a regulation or guideline that was confined only to opposition parties but applied to all, irrespective of their political beliefs.

White paper to keep unhealthy peninsula-style politics at bay

November 3, 2010

KUCHING: A white paper detailing the activities and actions undertaken by various people, organisa-tions and media from outside Sarawak as well as the appropriate actions to be taken against them should they endanger the racial stability and security of the state will be prepared and published by the state government.

This followed the passing of a motion moved by Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya) at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday.

Pantai Damai assembly-man Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, who is among those in favour of the motion, said this white paper was very necessary as a warning to those from outside the state who have perverse ambition or ill intention to cause havoc here.

He was specifically referring to the actions of the opposition parties in their political approach.

“The most obvious example is their campaign tactics during the Sibu by-election last May. Their debates were aimed at arousing the people’s dissatisfaction with the government.

“The DAP, PKR and PAS leaders from Peninsular Malaysia came with words that belittled the development in the state.

“DAP’s approach is very much focused on straining the ties of our multiracial society by trying to differentiate this race and that race and saying that certain races get more assistance from the government while some are forgotten.

Sarawak wants "White Paper" for healthy politics

November 02, 2010

KUCHING, Nov 2 (Bernama) — Sarawak is expected to become the first state in the country to come up with its own set of regulations or guidelines to curb unhealthy political practices that may disrupt racial harmony or cause religious tension.

The Sarawak state assembly today passed a motion for the state government to prepare and publish a “White Paper”. 

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya) during his winding-up speech after tabling the motion said the proposed “White Paper” should be formulated by the state government as unhealthy trends in politics that was confined to Peninsula Malaysia has crept into the local political scene, based on experience in Batang Ai and Sibu by-elections. 

“What we are debating today is not creating new laws but proposing to come up with the “White Paper”, he said.

Quoting a definition from online encyclopedia Wikipedia, Abdul Karim said “White Paper” is an authoritative report or guide often oriented towards a particular issue or problem and used to educate readers and help the people make decisions, and often requested and used in politics, policy, business and technical fields.

Abdul Karim said the proposed “White Paper” should not be seen as a regulation or guideline that confined only to opposition party but applied to all, irrespective of their political belief.

When replying to a question from Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Bukit Assek), he said it was a normal phenomena for the federal or state government to announce new or ongoing projects that were requested by the people, during election campaigns.

Bantuan akan diberikan kepada mangsa ribut - Karim

October 13, 2010

Puluhan buah rumah di Kampung Empila, Melayu dan Mangka Semong rosak teruk

ASAJAYA: Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Asajaya Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah mendedahkan Jabatan Kebajikan dan Pejabat Residen telah diarahkan untuk membantu penduduk tiga buah kampung yang mengalami kerosakan rumah akibat ribut.

MANGSA RIBUT: Sebuah rumah PPRT dan rumah keluarga Kipli rosak teruk selepas bumbung diterbangkan ribut semalam.

“Saya telah meminta pihak kebajikan dan Pejabat Residen untuk melakukan sesuatu bagi membantu mangsa,” katanya ketika dihubungi.

Menurutnya, pihak berkenaan juga akan melakukan penilaian ke atas kerugian berikutan kejadian itu.

Beliau kemudian meminta supaya penduduk kampung berkenaan yang terlibat dalam kejadian itu supaya bersabar.

Puluhan buah rumah di tiga buah kampung di sini musnah selepas dilanda ribut kuat petang semalam.

Dalam kejadian yang berlaku pada jam 4 petang itu beberapa buah rumah rosak teruk selepas dilanda ribut yang turut memusnahkan bumbung rumah serta atap-atap puluhan rumah yang lain dalam kejadian yang berlaku tidak sampai 20 minit itu.

Turut musnah ialah beberapa buah rumah yang dibina menerusi Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin (PPRT) milik beberapa penduduk kampung terbabit.

Low production main reason why Bario rice cannot be exported

By RINTOS MAIL
rintos@thestar.com.my
Friday October 8, 2010

BARIO rice is of high demand outside Malaysia but production could not meet the need.

Beras Corporation Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of PadiBeras National (Bernas), said production constraint was one of the main reasons why Bario rice could not go beyond Malaysian shores yet.

Its chief executive officer Mohd Kamaluddin Mohd Effendie said they had tried to promote the rice in Italy, Hong Kong and Singapore, and the response was good.

”There were also requests for this rice to be exported there, but unfortunately we are unable to meet the requirement, especially on the production part,” he told newsmen at the launch of the new Bario Rice trademark at its premises in Kuching yesterday.

The Bario rice has been re-branded under the name “Bario O’ Grain”.

Mohd Kamaluddin said so far the total production for Bario rice was only about 50 tonnes per year while the supply was dwindling now.

He said the decreasing trend was likely to continue since most of the youths from Bario had migrated to towns and cities in search of work and higher income.

Commission to give out more netbooks

By SHARON LING
sharonling@thestar.com.my
Tuesday August 31, 2010

MORE netbooks will be distributed in Sarawak before the end of the year by the Malaysian Communi­ca­tions and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) under the National Broadband Initiative (NBI).

State regional director Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin said some 14,500 netbooks had already been given out in 29 areas in the first phase of distribution.

“In the first phase, we focused on areas where we have set up community broadband centres, with 500 netbooks for each area,” he told reporters after a netbook presentation ceremony at SMK Asajaya, about 70km from Kuching, yesterday.

He said a second phase of distribu­tion would be implemented as part of efforts to increase the broadband penetration rate in the country.

Valuable tool: Abdul Karim (left) presenting netbooks to students of SMK Asajaya in

Kuching while MCMC state regional director Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin (right) looks

on.

Under the NBI announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in March, a total of one million netbooks will be distributed to underprivileged students nationwide to enable them to access the Internet.

Chief political secretary to the Chief Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who presented the netbooks to 250 students of SMK Asajaya, said the scheme was a good way to reduce the communication gap between the students and the wider world.

“The netbooks will provide a new way for students to obtain information. They will be able to learn not only in school and the library but also access the Internet for information,” he said.

Go-kart lures more enthusiasts

Story and Photo by CALVIN YEO
sarawakstar@thestar.com.my
Monday August 16, 2010

A GO-KART demonstration in conjunction with the Kuching Festival at the compound of the Kuching City South Council’s building attracted a considerable number of people.

More than 30 racers took part in the event yesterday morning.

A participant, Simon Fang said go-kart enthusiasts would normally gather at the State Stadium during weekends to race and test out their machines which cost between RM10,000 and RM20,000.

“The event today gives people an opportunity to be exposed to go-kart and what racing sports is all about,” he said.

He said the go-kart engines varied from 700cc to 1,000cc and almost all were imported from Kuala Lumpur.

Nice drive: Karim trying out one of the go karts while (from left to right), Simon, Mohd Taufik Abdul Ghani, deputy mayor, Abang Affandi Abang Anuar and Kenny Bong look on.

Chief Political Secretary to Chief Minister, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who launched the event said go-kart was a new sport which could draw the interest of younger people.

“What we need is only a big space like a car park for this activity to be organised,” he said.

Sekiteri Politik ke baru dikandal nangkup tanggung pengawa enggau angkun

 July 27, 2010

KUCHING: Sapit Kepala Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu manggaika pengarap ngagai bala Sekiteri Politik Kepala Menteri bejalai ke tanggung pengawa sida enggau naka pengangkun.

Jabu madahka, orang ti dipilih mangku pengawa tu nang chukup dikandal.

Ku iya, nya alai iya ngarapka bala sekitari politik tu bejalaika tanggung pengawa nitihka juluk ti dikarapka perintah.

“Sida ti dipih tu endang orang ti chukup dikarapka ulih bejalaika tanggung pengawa sida.

“Nya alai sida tu patut ngayanka diri ulih bekereja lalu mujur bejalaika tanggung pengawa sida nitihka juluk ati perintah,” ku Jabu.

Jabu mansutka jaku tu ngagai pemberita udah ti ngulu pengerami ngangkat sumpah mangku pengawa nyadi Sekitaeri Politik ditu kemari.

Bisi empat iku orang baru ti dipaduka mangku pengawa nya ngangkat sumpah sida ba mua Datuk Patinggi Jabu.

Impian PERSB pendekkan tempoh ahli politik hanya sandiwara

July 12, 2010

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Impian Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB) untuk memendekkan tempoh hanya dua penggal (10 tahun) bagi menteri-menteri dan ahli-ahli politik menjawat jawatan dalam kerajaan jika mereka berjaya membentuk ‘kerajaan baru’ dalam pilihan raya negeri akan datang hanya ‘sandiwara’ mereka.

Ketua Setiausaha Politik Ketua Menteri, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata sememangnya parti-parti permbangkang pandai merayu-rayu dan memancing hati rakyat untuk memilih mereka pada setiap pilihan raya tetapi mereka (pembangkang) mempunyai agenda tersendiri jika diberi ‘kuasa’ oleh rakyat.

“Kita boleh melihat beberapa negeri di Semenanjung Malaysia yang telah jatuh ke tangan pihak pembangkang, mereka tidak boleh berbuat apaapa lebih-lebih lagi memberi nikmat pembangunan kepada rakyat,” katanya ditemui pemberita selepas menghadiri majlis perasmian ‘Seminar 1Malaysia Bersama Pemimpin’ di sini semalam.

Perasmian seminar anjuran Jabatan Hal Ehwal Sarawak (Jasa) itu disempurnakan oleh Menteri Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber Kedua Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

Abdul Karim ketika diminta mengulas laporan akhbar semalam yang memetik bahawa PERSB berikrar hanya memberi tempoh dua penggal sahaja jawatan-jawatan menteri dalam kabinet kerajaan berkata: “Mereka boleh sebut apa sahaja ikrar dalam manifesto semasa pilihan raya tetapi mereka belum tahu bagaimana hendak menerajui negeri seperti Sarawak ini”.

Beliau yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Asajaya berkata impian parti terbabit ternyata hanya ‘angan-angan’ sahaja malah mereka belum lagi diluluskan pendaftaran dan belum mempunyai rekod nyata dalam politik negeri ini.

“Memang setiap menjelang pilihan raya pelbagai parti muncul dengan membawa pelbagai agenda dan janji-janji mereka kepada rakyat, tetapi rakyat kita tidak mudah terpengaruh dengan janji-janji mereka lebih-lebih lagi trek rekod mereka belum diketahui,” katanya.

Program STEP ngajar rayat bejimat ba jalai alun: Karim

July 2, 2010

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Program Pendidikan Lalu Lintas Shell (STEP) meri pemereti ati ngagai nembiak sekula tuju guna nitihka atur jalai alun.

Tuai Seketri Politik Kepala Menteri Abdul Karim Hamzah madahka tuju program nya kena matih nembiak sekula jemah ila lebuhka bisi kerita diri empu.

“Mayuh bala nembiak ke udah bulih lisin kelebih agi lisin mutusikal, lalu udah nya nyadi ‘mat rempit’, ti ngujungka mayuh penusah bebadi ba jalai alun.

“Nya kebuah aku ngarapka program baka tu ulih matih tauka ngajar nembiak ari tumu, munyi ku sempama ‘melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya’,” ku iya lebuh bejadika nutup program ba Konsortium Memandu Samarahan ditu kemari.

Karim mega muji Shell laban mujur ngatur program ti nguntungka, iya nya ngemeratka pengelikun semua rayat.

Dulu ari nya, Pengurus Hal Ehwal Korporat Shell Sarawak Peing Tajang mega madahka program nya enda ulih dipajakka seagi penusah bebadi ba jalai alun bisi nyadi.

Ku iya, Shell sebengkah raban korporat ti bejalaika tanggung pengawa ti chukup berega laban ngatur program ti nyelamat tauka ngintu pengelikun mensia mayuh.

Police gave me wrong summons, claims driver

By ZORA CHAN
zora@thestar.com.my
Tuesday June 8, 2010

The people must report to the police if they felt that the police had acted beyond their powers, and the media must also not give prominence to the DAP for highlighting the people’s problem. 

- Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

A DRIVER who purportedly beat the traffic lights claimed that he was only stopped by police about 2km away from the point he allegedly committed the offence.

And when he was reluctant to produce his driving licence, the police officer who stopped him asked: “You mau main kasar? (Do you want to play rough?)”.

Motorist Chong Eng Jee, 28, said the incident happened on June 1 at around 11pm. He was driving past Jalan Datuk Merican Salleh to Jalan Kwong Lee Bank when he realised a Mobile Police Vehicle had been trailing him.

He claimed that he had driven “cautiously and made a U-turn at the Jalan Kwong Lee Bank junction to Lorong Sebor and headed towards Jalan Datuk Abdul Rahman Rahim”.

“At Jalan Datuk Abdul Rahman Rahim, the MPV stopped me and a policeman asked for my driving licence. When I was reluctant to show my licence because I felt I didn’t do anything wrong, the policeman threateningly asked me if “I was trying to play rough”. I was alone and there were two of them, so I gave them my licence,” he told reporters at the DAP headquarters in Kuching yesterday.

Chong said the policeman had issued a summons stating that he had beaten the red light at Jalan Kwong Lee Bank when he made the U-turn.

Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong who called a press conference to highlight the issue said if Chong was at fault, the MPV should have stopped the driver immediately instead of allowing him to drive another two kilometres until Jalan Datuk Abdul Rahman Rahim.

‘Go to the police, not DAP’

June 7, 2010

Opposition party is not the authority on criminal cases — Abdul Karim

KUCHING: Sarawak Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the DAP should not be the place for alleged wrongdoers and lawbreakers to fall back on.

The DAP should also be more responsible and not try to sensationalise alleged wrongdoings of suspected law breakers, he added.

Karim, who is also chief political secretary to the Chief Minister, said people must report to the police, even if one of their own was believed to have acted beyond their powers.

The media must also not give prominence to the DAP because by doing so the public would be swayed to portray the police, who have been entrusted to look after the safety and security of the general public, adversely.

He was referring to media reports on alleged police brutality on a technician following a road mishap at KM85 Jalan Kuchin-Sri Aman around 2pm on Friday.

From what had been reported, said Karim, the technician had refused to follow the instructions of the police and this itself was an offence.

The police must not be cowed by all these threats of alleged brutality.

Opposition front a mix of strange bedfellows, says George Chan

April 21, 2010

KUCHING: Despite the state Pakatan Rakyat (PR) presenting a more united front with the entry of Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Barisan Nasional leaders said the Opposition lacked a clear political stand.

SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the Opposition front was too flexible in its ideology by working with different parties with different goals.

“Since the DAP can work with PAS, it shows they are willing to work with any party, despite their opposing ideologies,” Dr Chan told The Star yesterday.

“The Opposition front is a mix of strange bedfellows. I cannot see clearly what is their ideology. I think that is not going to work. Either you believe in certain things or you do not. You cannot have so many different ideologies working together.”

Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Seri Dr James Jemut Masing said SNAP itself did not know where it stood. Masing claimed SNAP had some members who preferred the party to be aligned to Barisan.

“It is not a united party. It is a party that does not know what it really wants. There are factions within it that believe in different things. Any party that is not united will end up confusing voters.”

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah agreed.

Lai juggles between job and caring for cancer-striken daughter

Story and photo by NG AI FERN aifern@thestar.com.my
Friday April 16, 2010

AMBER Chin has been in and out of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH). This seven-month-old infant started suffering from liver cancer when she was only three months old.

Her mother Lai Sze Wei, 26, said that Amber had to go to the hospital every two weeks for chemotherapy. She has to stay in the hospital for three to four days each time and Lai can never leave her alone.

“Normally, my in-laws look after her when I go to work, but when she has to go to the hospital, I have to apply for leave to keep her company ” said Lai, who works as a clerk.

Amber is Lai’s first child.

During a recent visit by Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and members of the Indian Association of Kuching, Amber was all smiles.

Karim will not contest for the PBB Youth Chief post

February 22, 2010

KUCHING: Abdul Karim Hamzah’s withdrawal from the contest for the PBB Youth Chief post shows how much the party has matured over the years, where leaders are groomed, says PBB President and Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

“I don’t want to claim ourselves as a (good) example but the principle is there. I regard PBB as a party where we can groom good leaders,” he said when asked if PBB’s way of solving internal conflict should be made an example for other BN component parties, at PBB Headquarters here yesterday.

He said that gradually, the well-groomed leaders would take over by moving up the leadership ladder, which a ‘senior party’ like PBB had been practising.

“You must remember that when you want to have a working democracy, you must have someone with good leadership skill in order to exercise the mandate that the people has entrusted upon you.

“If you don’t have good leadership in the party, which is built over the years, and if there is no desire on the part of the people to serve the country from the beginning, then you will find out that politics is no more than just politicking,” said Taib. 

He also believed that Karim’s withdrawal was proof that “we (PBB) have a good and stable party”, which meant a lot. 

“We did not start yesterday. If we did, we would have a lot of quarrels now. We are a party in the government, and as such, there is a sense of responsibility in all of us, and we understand that we must prepare ourselves to serve the nation,” he said.