Wednesday 27 June 2012

‘More expected to abandon PKR because of election’

June 27, 2012

SIBU: More disillusioned PKR members are expected to follow the example of PKR Lingga chairman Aladin Sebli and 64 members who quit the party on Monday to join PBB as the 13th general election (GE) draws near.

Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday he would not be surprised if more leave the party after they realised they had been holding on to empty promises.

“I am not surprised that PKR members are leaving the party in droves! Those who were initially attracted to the promises, dreams and ‘carrot’ dangled by PKR are beginning to realise that all these promises were merely ‘empty tins’.

“I won’t be surprised that many more will leave that party as the GE gets near,” Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development told The Borneo Post via sms.

According to the media report, Aladin and the 64 PKR members handed over their membership application forms to PBB assemblywoman Simoi Peri during a ‘Leaders with the People’ event at Kampung Hulu in Sri Aman.

Aladin told a press conference that their decision to quit was voluntary as they realised that only BN could bring about development for the people.

Aladin was further quoted to have said PKR could not bring about development, calling on other PKR members to follow their example to ensure BN’s victory in the coming election.


Tuesday 26 June 2012

Race track for Samarahan

June 26, 2012

WINNERS CIRCLE: Abdul Karim poses with the winners of the Samarahan Motocross Challenge at Samarahan District Motocross Circuit on Saturday.
KOTA SAMARAHAN: An International standard Motocross circuit and Cub Prix track has been proposed to be constructed in Samarahan Division.

The site of the race tracks has already been identified and a working paper will be forwarded soon to the Land and Survey department for processing.

“The Cub Prix Circuit will be integrated with the Motocross track in Samarahan. We believed that the existence of the purpose built race track will further attract foreign participants and gives sports tourism industry in Samarahan a big boost,” revealed Assistant Minister of Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the closing ceremony of the Samarahan Motocross Challenge.

Karim also commented that the ready availability of top notch sports facilities here will help to accelerate the growth of Samarahan as a sports powerhouse in the state.

Sunday 24 June 2012

Karim: Sarawak cadang anjur motocross taraf antarabangsa


KOTA SAMARAHAN: Memandangkan sukan motocross semakin popular di negeri ini, pihak kerajaan akan berusaha memastikan kejohanan itu bakal dianjurkan di peringkat antarabangsa.

Menteri Muda Perumahan dan Pembangunan Belia, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata sukan motocross kini menjadi acara berprestij di negeri ini khususnya di daerah Bau dan Samarahan.

Justeru, katanya, kerajaan akan membina sebuah litar tetap bagi kejohanan motocross peringkat antarabangsa di sini.

“Kita amat berbangga dengan kejayaan pihak penganjur yang telah memperlihatkan kejohanan motocross dapat diadakan setiap tahun di sini,” katanya berucap merasmikan penutupan Kejohanan Motocross Samarahan 2012 di sini petang semalam.

Kejohanan anjuran Majlis Daerah Samarahan (MDS) itu disertai lebih 30 pelumba dari sekitar daerah Samarahan, Bau, Lundu, Serian termasuk dari Miri dan Bintulu.

Pada kejohanan itu, pelumba muda dari Serian, Murphy David Sze membuktikan keunggulannya bergelar Raja Litar Motocross Samarahan 2012.

Hadir sama Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Muara Tuang Datuk Seri Mohammad Ali Mahmud, ADUN Sadong Jaya Aidel Lariwoo dan pengerusi penganjur, Kaunselor Daily Joseph.

Saturday 23 June 2012

Squabbles proof of DAP’s dictatorial policy — Abdul Karim


KUCHING: The Democratic Action Party (DAP) candidacy squabble for Miri and Sarikei has got the attention of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said the squabble reflected DAP selection committee’s “high handedness and dictatorial attitude”.

With such an attitude, Abdul Karim pointed out that it was high time for DAP members and the people of Miri and Sarikei to realise that the present leadership led by Wong Ho Leng and Chong Chieng Jen were only grooming cronies aligned to them.

“The DAP candidacy squabbles in Miri and Sarikei only reflects DAP selection committee’s high handedness and dictatorial attitude and its failure to being sensitive to the grassroots’ request and need.

“So, where is the democracy in DAP?” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Youth Development Minister, said in an SMS to The Borneo Post.

The assistant housing minister and Asajaya assemblyman stressed that even in Kuching, DAP’s two new prospective candidates were personal assistants to Chong.

Friday 22 June 2012

Galeri: Site Visit to Muara Tebas' New Township


June 22, 2012



VIBRANT CONCEPT: (From left) Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Zen, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Dr Hazland Hipni look at a model of the new Muara Tebas RMR and commercial township. TheBorneoPost

CENSE's prediction is no big deal because it is just a prediction -Karim


KUCHING: State Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi has played down the prediction by Centre of Strategic Engagement (CENSE) that Barisan Nasional (BN) could lose up to 10 seats in the Chinese-dominated constituencies in Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.

He said the prediction was only a political ploy.

“Well, it (prediction) depends on the political inclination of those in the group, so I believe it’s purposely for political ploy,” the Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunication) said yesterday.

The Kemena assemblyman said this in his SMS when asked to comment on CENSE prediction of BN losing up to 10 seats in the three states in the Chinese-majority areas.

On the other hand, Assistant Minister of Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the prediction was no big deal.

“As it is, the 10 predicted losses include the seats already held by the opposition now, and it’s no big deal…the prediction by CENSE is just a prediction,” he said.

Having said that, Abdul Karim admitted that some BN component parties would face some difficulty in the urban areas which are basically Chinese-majority.

Thursday 21 June 2012

Galeri: Welcoming Dinner for Committee to Promote Understanding and Harmony Among Religious Followers

June 21, 2012

WELCOME: Abang Johari (right) greeting a member of the committee while Assistant Minister of Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (third right) and RS Mohan (second right) look on.

Monday 18 June 2012

Sebar penghayatan konsep 1Malaysia dalam kalangan belia, kata Karim


KOTA SAMARAHAN: Pemimpin masyarakat di peringkat akar umbi digesa memainkan peranan dalam menyampaikan konsep penghayatan 1Malaysia terutamanya dalam kalangan belia bagi mengekalkan kestabilan negara.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, kebanyakan belia pada masa kini kurang memahami dan menghayati erti sebenar 1Malaysia yang sering diuar-uarkan.

“Saya berharap pemimpin masyarakat baik JKKK kampung, JKKK masjid atau surau mahupun pemimpin politik setiap peringkat tahu bagaimana hendak menerang serta menjelaskan keadaan kehidupan masa dahulu dan betapa susahnya untuk kerajaan mengubah negara seperti mana yang kita lihat pada masa sekarang.

“Namun, para belia sekarang kurang memahami penghayatan ini mungkin disebabkan kurang pendedahan dan penglibatan mengenainya,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap pada majlis perasmian penutupan Karnival Penghayatan 1Malaysia yang dianjurkan selama dua hari di Kampung Pinang semalam.

Pelbagai pertandingan dianjurkan pada program yang disertai enam buah kampung dari tiga kawasan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) itu iaitu Kampung Jaie, Sadong Jaya, Endap, Sampun, Tambirat dan Kampung Pinang yang menyaksikan tuan rumah dinobatkan sebagai juara keseluruhan karnival itu.

Saturday 16 June 2012

Karim tells Azmin not to diminish Sarawak's authority

June 16, 2012

“The right is ours..." Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: PKR deputy president Mohd Azmin Ali’s special aide Mohd Hilman Idham was denied entry into the state yesterday.

Hilman, scheduled to be involved with the party’s election strategy programme to be held here today was stopped at Kuching International Airport upon arrival from the peninsula at 9.30am.

State PKR vice-chairman See Chee How said Hilman was told he had been blacklisted by the State Security’s Office and should board the next flight back to Kuala Lumpur, which he did at 11.50am.

PKR is to launch its Sarawak-level election strategy called Sismep 3.0 at a hotel here today. It is to be officiated by Azmin, who is also the party’s election director.

Azmin and other PKR leaders are scheduled to fly in here today.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said anyone planning to create disunity, instill hatred or stir disharmony would continue to be barred from entering the state.

He said the authorities knew the objectives of these people and that the preventive measure was to stop tension from arising among the people in the state.

Thursday 14 June 2012

Malaysia Agreement: Don’t rewrite history

Joseph Tawie | June 14, 2012

“Sarawakians will always regard the 18-point agreement as legally binding despite arguments to the contrary." - Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

One fact stands out in Sabah and Sarawak – grassroots politicians on both sides of the political divide are united on the issue of the Malaysia Agreement.

KUCHING: In the run-up to what is likely to be a highly charged 13th general election, political mischieve-makers abound, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, on which both Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim are dependent on for a victorious run to Putrajaya.

It was only a short while ago that Sabah State Legislative Speaker Salleh Keruak came in for a shelling for dismissing the state’s 20-point agreement. Now, Sabahans and Sarawakians have to contend with former Sabah Archives director Tigabelas Zainal Abidin’s equally disconcerting views.

Both Sarawakians and Sabahans believe that the 18-20 points in the Malaysia Agreement were the foundation on which the two states agreed to form the federation of Malaysia together with Malaya and Singapore.

It was to guarantee and safeguard their interests and rights in the federation.

But Tigabelas, in his latest comment, said that the “20-point” document was “just a memorandum” and not an “actual agreement” that was signed during the formation of Malaysia.

He called the “agreement” a “memorandum of conditions”.

Monday 11 June 2012

Peter John Jaban is a chameleon - Karim


“Hahaha … knowing this guy, who is like a chameleon, do you believe his words?" Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said deejay Peter John Jaban was free to do whatever he wished within the limits of his rights and freedom.

“This is a free and democratic country, and everyone is free to do whatever he or she pleases. But unlike anarchy, there are laws and regulations. Democracy is not about unfettered freedom. There are various shades and colours of the concept of freedom and democracy based on the wishes of the majority,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday.

Wan Junaidi, who is also Santubong MP, said this when asked to comment on Jaban’s statement that he had decided not to return to London where he had been working with foreign-funded Radio Free Sarawak (RFS) since 2010.

Wan Junaidi opined that Jaban’s struggles for his people were noble and honourable, adding that both were high sounding and provide the moral high ground, and advised him to stay clear of underhand tactics.

“One should not resort to underhand and irregular tactics and ways. Oblique minds and bias judgment would deprive one of the nobility of struggle and moral high ground one placed him or herself on. Therefore, everyone must observe the law and moral provisions in order to achieve noble objectives.”

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Housing Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, when contacted, responded: “Hahaha … knowing this guy, who is like a chameleon, do you believe his words?

“I won’t be surprised if he had been sacked by Clare (Clare Rewcastle-Brown) of RFS or that he had gone missing in action because he didn’t get what he was expecting there.”

Friday 8 June 2012

SPDP should take proper action against errant YB


“I cannot intrude too much on another component party member, but personally I feel that Wong’s action and comment are serious and needs to be addressed by SPDP.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah 

KUCHING: Recent comments and action by Meluan assemblyman Wong Judat have apparently aroused the sentiments of fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) members, who want action to be taken against him, if necessary.

BN secretary general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom is of the opinion that Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) should take appropriate action on Wong.

“He (Wong Judat) is a member of SPDP and I believe his decision and opinion are guided by the party disciplinary guideline.

“In the spirit of BN comradeship, SPDP will have to handle this issue tactfully and to take appropriate action if need be,” he said in an SMS communication yesterday.

He was asked to comment on the latest development reported yesterday that Wong was prepared to sever ties with BN and contest in Julau if Julau incumbent Datuk Joseph Salang was re-nominated to defend the seat in the coming general election.

Wong, who is SPDP vice-president, was reportedly to have also said he was prepared to offer himself to the newly registered Sarawak Workers Party (SWP), if the party felt that he is the best man to unseat Salang.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, when contacted personally felt that Wong’s action and comment were serious.

Perintah BN ngemeratka sistem demokrasi


Nengah penemu raban menteri, parti politik dikemendar nabur manifesto pengawa bepilih nengah RTM

KUCHING: Perintah endang lama ngembuan runding tebuka, ditambahka agi diatu parti politik ba menua tu dikemendar naburka manisfesto pengawa bepilih nengah televisyen ba pengawa bepilih besai Ke-13 (PRU 13) ti deka datai.

Sekretari Besai Barisan Nasional Nengeri ke mega Kaban Kunsil Nengeri (ADUN) Kemena, Datuk Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom madah, nya meri awak ngagai rayat nemu sapa ti patut disukung.

Iya ti mega Menteri Muda Perengka Guna Mensia Mayuh (Elekterik enggau Perengka Penyambung) madah, perintah Barisan Nasional (BN) enda kala ngemeranka perangai bechiping ngagai rayat.

“Tu mandangka penemu perintah BN ngembuan runding tebuka ngambika rayat diberi awak milih sekalika patut nyukung perintah tauka enda.

“Penyakal enda patut nyaru runding rayat ngena penemu ke ngumbai perintah BN bechiping,” ku iya madah ngagai Utusan Borneo nengah Sistem Pesan Jaku Pandak (SMS) kemari.

Sepenemu enggau Dr. Rundi, Menteri Muda Pemansang Nembiak enggau Menteri Muda Pengawa Berumah, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah madah, nabur manifesto nengah televisyen nunjukka perintah BN beratka sistem demokrasi sereta nadai bechiping ngagai sesebengkah parti nyengkaum penyakal.

“Tu pekara ti engkeman lalu kitai ti nyadi rayat ulih berati sereta ngena peluang nya macha manisfesto parti ke meri awak ngagai kitai milih parti ti pemadu patut megai Malaysia kandang lima taun ti deka datai.

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Karim believes Najib, Taib mean what they say


KUCHING: Assistant Housing Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah doubts that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak and Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud would have two sets of advice or directions for political parties in their speeches.

“I don’t think the Prime Minister and Chief Minister would have two sets of advice or direction whenever they give speeches – one for “public consumption” and another for among our colleagues,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development, was asked to comment on a statement by Sarawak Workers’ Party (SWP) president Larry Sng who described the recent comments by Najib on the party as just “for the public consumption”.

“I am not surprised by PM’s comments. That is for public consumption,” Sng said through short messaging system (SMS) when asked to comment on the statement by Najib during his visit to Julau on first day of Gawai.

The Asajaya state assemblyman strongly believed that when Najib and Taib gave an opinion, directive or advice, they meant it sincerely from their hearts.

During his Gawai visit to Julau last Sunday, Najib said if SWP were truly BN, friendly they should not stand against Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in the coming 13th general election.

Najib also advised SWP to stop claiming to be BN friendly as that would create confusion among the people of Sarawak.

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Kapit nadai dalam lis RPR ungkup raban petengan


KUCHING: Bagi menua Kapit naka ke diatu bedau dirintaika dalam lis endur ngaga Rancangan Perumahan Rakyat (RPR)ungkup raban orang petengan.

Taja pia menua Kapit bisi dalam rintai lis endur ngaga Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) lebuh Opis Menteri Pengawa Berumah nengah Opis Pemansang Pengawa Berumah (PPP) deka ngaga 22 unit dalam taun tu.

Pekara tu dipansutka Menteri Muda Pengawa Berumah Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah ba hari kedua Aum Kunsil Nengeri (DUN) Ke-17.

Ungkup pelilih Mit Menua Song, Karim madah naka ke diatu PPP udah nembuka 28 unit Rumah Ulih Diempu (RMM) ba Jalai Takan, pasar Song.

Iya madahka, 83 buah agi RMM deka digaga enti sema belanja ungkup projek nya dikemendarka.

Sunday 3 June 2012

Tigabelas touches a raw nerve

Posted on June 13, 2012, Wednesday

KUCHING: Former Sabah Archives director Datuk Datu Tigabelas Datu Zainal Abidin upset Sabahans and Sarawakians when he said in a statement on Monday that the 20-point and 18-point agreements for the two states to form Malaysia was a memorandum of conditions and not an agreement.

A memorandum is not only inferior to an agreement but might not have legal binding effect.

The reaction yesterday to this stand from netizens in news portals and social networks was furious and vitriolic as it was seen as an attempt to deny people of the two states their safeguards and rights promised them as a condition for the merger of the then four territories (Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah) to form Malaysia.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when asked on his view on the issue said, “History must not be rewritten by mere single opinion of the former Sabah Archive director (Datu Tigabelas), whoever he is.”

“What is important to see is the ‘intention’ of the parties when they discussed and finally agreed to ‘merge’ and formed what is today’s Malaysia,” he added.

Karim said: “Nobody should reduce the strength, terms and conditions that had been agreed and/or put it aside as it was on that ‘terms and conditions’ that the people of Sabah and Sarawak had agreed pursuant to the formation of Malaysia.

“During that discussion (pursuant to formation of Malaysia), certain ‘terms’ and ‘conditions’ were agreed upon by Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and the then Malaya.

Much ado about nothing

June 3, 2012

RFS broadcaster seen in Kuching recently, disappearance beginning to look like publicity stunt

KUCHING: The drama and speculations over the disappearance of Radio Free Sarawak (RFS) announcer Peter John Jaban while on his way from Miri Airport to the city seemed to have fizzled out when it was revealed that he had entered the state earlier without any problem.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when asked about Peter’s ‘houdini’ act disclosed that he had come back to the state and left in the past without any hindrance.

The Asajaya assemblyman added that he had seen Peter driving a classic car with a lady here a few weeks ago and that the RFS broadcaster had also come back for the Gawai last year. He added the whole incident could be just a publicity stunt staged by Peter and Pakatan Rakyat to stir up a storm against the government.

“From what I read in the paper and blogs, he didn’t seem to have been forcibly taken away,” said Abdul Karim.

If that was the case, he said Peter had succeeded and presume he was enjoying the publicity generated but whether it would be good or bad publicity remained to be seen.

However, the assemblyman cautioned that the case could not be considered closed until his disappearance had been reported to the police and investigations concluded.

“Until there is some clue to his disappearance or some police report made on him missing, we can’t speculate,” he said.
  

Friday 1 June 2012

Debate a waste of time, Karim tells DAP

June 1, 2012, Friday

KUCHING: Some Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leaders considered the challenge by Democratic Action Party (DAP) to a debate as a waste of time.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it was just a way for the opposition to distort and twist the fact that no Sarawakian actually starved when Barisan Nasional (BN) won the last state election as claimed by DAP in their election slogans.

“It is not that we are scared to debate but we just don’t want to waste our time on trivial matters just to gain cheap publicity.

“For the DAP, if the statement in the slogan was incorrect, just apologise to the Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and the people or Sarawak, no need to debate,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Earlier, state DAP secretary general Chong Chieng Jen personally delivered a letter challenging PBB leaders to a debate on one of its slogans in the last state election entitled “Bai Mao Bu Dao, Ren Min Chi Cao”.

“The slogan literally means White Hair Don’t Fall, People Eat Grass and the commonly understood meaning of Eat Grass is “difficult to earn a living”. The true meaning of the phrase is: If Taib Doesn’t Fall, it will be difficult for people to earn a living,” he told reporters earlier.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Youth Development Minister, said there was no point to debate as the slogan was just a tactic employed by DAP to fish for votes in the last state polls.