Kampung Taba Sait first to move to Bengoh resettlement

January 30, 2013

KUCHING: Kampung Taba Sait will be the first village, affected by the Bengoh Dam construction, to move to the Bengoh resettlement scheme (BRS) expected in March.

Assistant Housing Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who disclosed this said that there were 58 units of Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) to be handed over to the villagers.

“The developer had given assurance that all the houses could be completed in March. After this, they can start to move to their new house,” he said at a press conference after a briefing session on the relocation of those villagers affected by the Bengoh Dam resettlement site at Borneo Height Road here yesterday.
  

Karim: Gangsterism among students an eye-opener

by Peter Boon, reporters@theborneopost.com. 

Posted on January 28, 2013, Monday

SIBU: The incident of students resorting to throwing Molotov cocktails to resolve problems should be viewed seriously for it can tear social fibres apart.

It is thus imperative that concerted efforts be taken to address all issues besieging teenagers, said Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Youth Development, yesterday.

“I am sad to hear of youth gangsterism and gangsterism among school students.

“Though this criminal case by students using Molotov cocktails is an isolated case, it is still a criminal case and should be treated as such,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

“The suspect should face the music.

“If they are minors, there are provisions to address them as minors.”

Asajaya assemblyman Karim said this when asked to comment on an incident which saw three students resorting to gangster-style violence on a schoolmate to resolve an issue sparked by a damaged motorcycle.

Semangat terlalu ekstrem tegakkan isu agama, kaum dikhuatiri jejas perpaduan

January 27, 2013

KUCHING: Semangat yang terlalu ekstrem dalam menegakkan isu berkaitan agama dan kaum dikhuatiri menjejaskan perpaduan rakyat di negara ini khasnya di Sarawak.

Perkara itu ditegaskan Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah ekoran timbul pelbagai isu berkaitan dua perkara itu pada masa kini oleh individu tidak bertanggungjawab demi kepentingan sendiri.

Malah dedahnya, isu yang sengaja dibangkitkan oleh ‘orang import’ (pihak pembangkang) itu dilihat cuba mengapi-apikan rakyat berbilang kaum dan agama di negara ini.

“Saya amat sedih melihat ada segelintir ahli politik pembangkang sengaja menimbulkan isu yang sensitif terutama berkaitan agama dan kaum bagi menimbulkan perasaaan kurang senang antara sesama kita yang telah lama hidup dalam perpaduan walaupun berbilang bangsa.

“Ini yang amat kita khuatiri sehingga timbul rasa ekstrem untuk mempertahankan perkara berkenaan sehingga kita berpecah belah,” katanya ketika berucap pada majlis perasmian Sambutan Maulidur Rasul Peringkat Asajaya di Kompleks Sukan di sini semalam.

Disebabkan itu, Karim berkata tema Maulidur Rasul pada tahun ini ‘Wasatiyyah Tonggak Kesatuan Ummah’ di mana nilai kesederhanaan menjadi tunjang utama perpaduan rakyat berbilang kaum dan agama di negara ini.

Sehubungan itu, beliau yang juga Menteri Muda Perumahan dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Asajaya menasihat rakyat agar bijak menilai dan sentiasa berwaspada dengan dakyah individu tidak bertanggungjawab.

No such thing as PM or CM’s men — Asajaya assemblyman

Posted on January 25, 2013, Friday

KUCHING: There is no such thing as ‘prime minister or chief minister’s men’ when it comes to choosing Barisan Nasional’s (BN) candidates for the upcoming general election.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman said before deciding on BN candidates, surely Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would consult Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on who the winnable candidates from the state are.

“The prime minister, being the head of BN will have the final say in announcing the BN candidates but this must not be perceived as the chief minister not having a say!

“How would the prime minister know the personalities to be put up from Sarawak? He must consult and get views from the chief minister and the other leaders before making a decision,” he said.

Abdul Karim was asked to comment on an online news portal report that rumours are rife on Najib dropping nine of Taib’s men from the candidate lists, and that opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been engaging Taib’s men.

He said the writer has an ulterior motive to strain the good relationship between the prime minister and chief minister.

Don't join PR 'coz they are just empty tins -Karim

Posted on January 20, 2013, Sunday

“PR (Pakatan Rakyat) may look interesting, full of colours, and promises, but in reality they are just empty tins.” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom yesterday invited all former SNAP members to join Barisan Nasional (BN).

He said it was the best option for them to take for sake of the people of Sarawak.

“SNAP members should join any BN parties and continue to struggle along with fellow BN for the people of Sarawak,” he said in a short messaging service (SMS) yesterday.

SNAP, once a mighty political party, was deregistered on Thursday by the Federal Court which upheld the Registrar of Societies (ROS)’s decision made in 2002 as a result of unresolved leadership crisis.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, when contacted, concurred with Dr Rundi stance, saying that SNAP members should stand steadfast behind BN.

“PR (Pakatan Rakyat) may look interesting, full of colours, and promises, but in reality they are just empty tins,” he said.

Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim pointed out that BN had a long and proven track record.

Deregistration of SNAP a lesson to other political parties

January 19, 2013

KUCHING: The leaders of SNAP have no one else to blame but themselves for not adhering to the advice of fellow political leaders — an oversight that led to the deregistration of their party.

PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Masing said it was sad to see the end of the party, which was among Sarawak’s oldest.

“I did advise some of them (the leaders), based on my experience, on what to do after being given a second chance. My advice fell on deaf ears,” Masing told The Star yesterday.

He said as Malaysia is a country governed by laws, any individual or organisation including political parties that broke them should face the consequences.

“That’s exactly what happened to SNAP,” said Masing.

SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan said it was regrettable that the party had to come to such an end.

Putting personal feelings aside, Mawan, who was SNAP’s vice-president, said the party’s demise must be taken as a lesson by leaders and members of political parties so as not to mix personal and party agenda because a party should focus on serving the people.

PKR is counting the chickens before the eggs hatched, says Karim

Posted on January 18, 2013, Friday

“They would be lucky if they could even deliver a seat.”

SIBU: The Barisan Nasional (BN) is fully aware of the situation of the 10 seats targeted by the opposition and has its own strategic approach to win them, says state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi.

He was responding yesterday to PKR Lanang branch chairman George Chen’s statement, who expressed optimism that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was expected to win five Chinese-majority and another five in Dayak and Malay constituencies this impending general election.

At the press conference here on Wednesday, Chen predicted PR would win Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Lanang, Sibu, Sarikei and Miri while the Dayak-Malay majority seats which he expected PR to win were Baram, Limbang, Lubok Antu, Saratok, Selangau and Hulu Rajang.

Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) responded, “We are fully aware of the situation of these seats, and the issues that they are facing.

“The opposition can claim and say what they assumed but we (BN) too have our strategic approach and ways to win these seats and most importantly, we still have the strong support, trust and confidence of the majority.

“And that will determine the eventual victor.”

Meanwhile, PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah laughed off the opposition’s claim, likening PKR Sarawak’s action to that of counting the chickens before the eggs were hatched.

Galeri: Working visit to SCORE by Singapore Senior Minister

January 16, 2013

GETTING ACQUAINTED: Abdul Karim (second left) introduces Harden and
Dr Rahman (right) to Masagos (left) upon his arrival for the dinner.

Swasta penting bangunkan industri perumahan: Karim

Posted on January 15, 2013, Tuesday

KUCHING: Syarikat swasta merupakan pihak yang memainkan peranan penting dalam membangunkan industri perumahan di negeri ini manakala pihak kerajaan pula bertanggungjawab mengawal industri tersebut di samping melibatkan diri melalui agensi-agensi berkaitan dengan menyediakan rumah-rumah yang mampu dimiliki sama ada untuk dibeli atau disewa.

Menurut Menteri Muda Perumahan Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, projek-projek tersebut adalah termasuk Rumah Mampu Milik, Rumah Mesra Rakyat, Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia (PR1MA) yang merupakan bantuan daripada kerajaan bagi membantu golongan berpendapatan rendah memiliki kediaman.

“Bagi mendapatkan kelulusan sesuatu projek perumahan, syarikat perumahan swasta di Sarawak adalah bertanggungjawab untuk membina rumah-rumah kos rendah berhampiran projek perumahan utama mereka bergantung kepada saiz projek berkenaan,” jelasnya ketika ditanya mengenai kenyataan yang dibuat oleh Setiausaha Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP) Sarawak Chong Chieng Jen Ahad lepas.

Chong telah mendakwa beberapa pihak termasuk syarikat perumahan swasta yang berhubung kait dengan kerajaan bertanggungjawab dengan kenaikan harga rumah secara mendadak di Sarawak.

Chong membuat dakwaan tersebut setelah Ketua Pemuda Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP) Tan Kai membuat kenyataan mengenai kenaikan harga rumah sejak kebelakangan ini pada minggu lepas.

Karim menjelaskan bahawa peruntukan bagi perumahan rakyat datang daripada kerajaan persekutuan manakala kerajaan negeri menyumbang dari segi menyediakan tapak perumahan tersebut yang merupakan usaha sama yang bijak antara kedua-dua pihak.

“Adalah kurang tepat jika mengatakan pihak kerajaan tidak mengawal harga rumah-rumah tersebut kerana ini adalah bergantung kepada permintaan dan penawaran dan ini dibuktikan dengan rumah-rumah yang dibina yang hampir kesemuanya telah terjual.

Abdul Karim bebulaka penemu Chong ke benadaika ungkup rumah rayat ba bajet

Posted on January 15, 2013, Tuesday

SIBU: Sarawak diungkupka bajet ti chukup dikena ngaga rumah mensia mayuh ari baruh Belanjawan Negara 2013 nengah atur kunsi perintah besai enggau nengeri.

Menteri Muda Pengawa Berumah Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah madah, berita ke dibantai Seketari DAP Chong Chieng Jen madahka perintah nengeri nadai diungkup enggau bajet dikena ngaga rumah ungkup mensia mayuh nya enda amat.

Ku iya, Sarawak ngembuan polisi ke diri empu nengah chara nyediaka palan tauka tanah ti besai ngambika ulih dikemansang kompeni luar kelimpah ngaga rumah ungkus mit.

“Sebagi ari bajet rumah ungkup ngaga rumah perintah nengeri ari perintah besai. Sarawak mega bela bisi diungkup enggau bajet ti besai ari progrem ngaga rumah ari baruh Bajet 2013 menua tu.

“Perintah nengeri deka nyedia pekara bukai baka nyediaka tanah alai ngaga rumah kelimpah nempa atur kunsi entara perintah besai enggau nengeri,” pia ku iya nerangka.

Abdul Karim ti mega Menteri Muda Pemansang Raban Nembiak enggau ADUN Asajaya madah, tebal agi pengawa ngaga rumah dipegai kompeni luar.

Perintah ku iya, semina ngintu polisi nengah ijinsi perintah ti bekaul tang taja pia nadai kaul ngaga rumah.

Chong berbohong dengan tuduhan bajet perumahan awam Sarawak tidak mencukupi

January 15, 2013

PESAT MEMBANGUN: Antara projek perumahan yang dibangunkan di Sibu.

Perolehi bajet cukup dalam Belanjawan Negara 2013 menerusi perkongsian pintar

SIBU: Sarawak memperolehi bajet yang mencukupi bagi perumahan awam di bawah Belanjawan Negara 2013 menerusi perkongsian pintar antara kerajaan persekutuan dan negeri.

Menteri Muda Perumahan Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata dakwaan Setiausaha DAP Chong Chieng Jen bahawa kerajaan negeri tidak mempunyai bajet cukup untuk tujuan pembangunan perumahan awam adalah tidak benar.

Katanya Sarawak mempunyai dasar yang tersendiri dengan sebahagian besar keluasan tanah dibangunkan oleh pemaju swasta di samping turut membangunkan rumah kos rendah.

“Sebahagian besar daripada bajet perumahan kerajaan negeri adalah daripada kerajaan persekutuan.

“Sarawak juga mendapat jumlah terbesar bagi perumahan awam di bawah Belanjawan Negara 2013.

“Kerajaan negeri akan menyumbang dalam beberapa bahagian termasuk menyediakan tanah bagi tujuan perumahan di samping mewujudkan perkongsian pintar di antara kerajaan persekutuan dan negeri,” katanya di sini semalam.

Abdul Karim yang juga Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Asajaya, berkata pemain terbesar dalam industri perumahan adalah sektor swasta.

‘Govt has budget for public housing’ – Abdul Karim

by Peter Boon, reporters@theborneopost.com. 

Posted on January 14, 2013, Monday

SIBU: Sarawak has the lion’s share of the budget for public housing under the National Budget 2013 and has a smart partnership with the federal government.

Assistant Housing Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stated this yesterday when refuting state DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen’s allegation that the government did not have the budget for public housing.

“The bulk of our housing budget comes from the federal. Sarawak got the biggest sum for public housing under the 2013 National Budget.

“The state contributes in some way by providing land for some of this housing and this is smart partnership between the federal and state governments.

“Henceforth, to infer that the government does not have budget for public housing is irresponsible and reflects an ignorance of how the government works,” he told The Borneo Post.

Chong also blamed the rising cost of houses on the state government’s policy.

To this, Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said the biggest player in the housing industry is the private sector.

‘No room for politics that stage demonstration’

Posted on January 13, 2013, Sunday

SIBU: There is no room for politics that takes to the street and staging demonstrations as it does not augur well for the country’s prevailing peace, political stability and economic prosperity.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, in pointing this out yesterday, urged all peace loving Malaysians to steer clear of desperados and those who practise the politic of hatred merely for personal vengeance.

“I don’t agree with that trend of politic as we have law and order as well as proven systems to safeguard the nation and its sovereignty. We have full confidence in the system which also protects the opposition.

“Hence, going to the street and staging demonstrations will only cause chaos and disorder, or even worse, ruin our harmony and the future of our beloved country, especially our economy, deterring foreign investors from coming to Malaysia.

“There is always a legal venue for discussions and negotiations to settle any misunderstandings or differences to avoid complications,” Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), told thesundaypost.

He was asked his views on the so-called ‘Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat’ (People Uprising Rally) held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday and whether such rally would set a negative precedent for the younger generation.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, meanwhile, questioned the objective of such rally.

“What really does ‘Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat’ wants to achieve? How different is this from the many other rallies, demonstrations or gatherings that Pakatan Rakyat or their NGOs have been organising the last few years?”

Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Youth Development, added, “All these rallies or whatever name they called it, have political agendas, that is, to arouse the feeling of the people to hate the government.

“They are mostly linked to the opposition and that being so, are mostly political in nature though the organisers would always try to sever themselves from that.

“What these organisers of rallies are doing is to adopt a new culture, that is, to go to the street whenever you are displeased about anything that the government is doing.”

Atur ngena duit sama ba serata nengeri di Malaysia, ku Karim

Posted on January 11, 2013, Friday

KUCHING: Pengawa ngagih tauka ngena duit ari perintah nengeri enggau perintah besai endang pengawa ke biasa di­gaga, nya ukai semina digaga perintah nengeri ke dipegai Barisan Nasional (BN) tang mega dikereja Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ba nengeri ke dipegai sida baka ba Pulau Pinang enggau Selangor.

Kaban Suprem Kunsil Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (gambar) madah, maya nimbal jaku tuduh Kaban Kunsil Nengeri (ADUN) Kota Sentosa Chong Chieng Jen bekaul enggau penyampau agih RM11 billiun ke enda dipeda dalam bajet perintah nengeri.

Abdul Karim, ke mega ADUN Asajaya madah, pen­erang Chong bekaul bajet nengeri ke enda dipeda nya mandangka iya enda nemu enggau dalam prosedur bajet enggau kira-kira.

“Iya (Chong) bejaku munyi nya baka penemu nembiak mit ti nadai ngembuan tang­gungpengawa sereta nguji ngasut runding rayat mantaika penemu ke enda betul bekaul enggau Kepala Menteri ke madahka nya semina ngun­tungka KM enggau kroni iya ke bukai,” ku iya madah ngagai The Borneo Post kemari.

Iya ke lalu nyadi Menteri Muda Pemansang Raban Nembiak ngelalau Chong enda ibuh mantaika politik kedai kopi tang aruh ngembuan timpai ti jauh sereta ngembuan tanggungpengawa mantu rayat ke diarika iya.

Abdul Karim madah rayat enda muntang dikemula nen­gah isu ke dibantaika penyakal ti madah RM11 biliun ke enda dipeda ba bajet nengeri nya tau dikumbai bajet nengeri ungkup nengeri aja, ke mega sebengkah ari perintah Malaysia ke udah nerima agih ukai semina ari ijinsi pengawa dagang dalam menua tang mega ari asil bukai.

“Sapa iya YB Chong ti bejaku beli sereta mansutka penemu nya? Penyampau asil ke tinggi tu mandangka perintah nengeri Sarawak landik ngurus pekara wang,” ku tandu iya.

Abdul Karim: Parking of funds common budgetary procedure

Posted on January 11, 2013, Friday

KUCHING: The parking of funds in the state and national budgets is a common budgetary procedure, practised not only in Sarawak but also in Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states such as Penang and Selangor.

Par t i Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah thus reg ret ted the repeated allegation of Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen over the so called RM11 billion ‘black hole’ in the state budget.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, said that Chong’s repeated statements on the black hole in the state budget refl ected his ignorance about budgetary and accounting procedures.

“He (Chong) is talking like a school boy and trying to hoodwink the public with malicious and incorrect statement – alleging that the Chief Minister has siphoned money from the state coffers for personal gain or for crony companies,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Abdul Karim, the Assistant Minister of Youth Development advi s ed Chong not to play ‘coffee shop’ politics but instead to hold his head high and be a responsible and dignifi ed people’s representative.

He said the people should not be easily influenced by the opposition’s allegation that there was a RM11 billion black hole in the state budget. He added that Sarawak was the only state, apart from the Malaysian government, which had received accreditation not only from domestic rating agencies such as RAM, but also from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.

“Their ratings of the state have always been very good and this reflects the state of our financial standing.

Two businessmen and Asajaya district officer in the fray for Kota Samarahan

By RINTOS MAIL rintos@thestar.com.my

Friday January 11, 2013

KUCHING: The list of potential candidates to replace Kota Samarahan MP Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Taib has been narrowed down to three from at least five previously.

The three are businessmen Hamzah Ibrahim and Ismawi Mohamad and Asajaya district officer Rubiah Wang.

Except for Rubiah, both Hamzah and Ismawi are PBB members. Hamzah, who is also formerly a PBB Youth exco, is currently Muara Tuang PBB deputy chief while Ismawi is PBB Kpg Baru, Kota Samarahan deputy youth chief.

Sources close to PBB said Hamzah and Ismawi’s names were recommended by two different groups in the party. All three are locals with Rubiah from Kampung Tanjong Parang in Kota Samarahan.

The source said the party was expected to have a tough time to pick who among the three to be the candidate.

According to the source, the party’s top leadership is keen on fielding a woman candidate but the majority of its grassroots members want a male candidate.

Previously, at least five names were mentioned to replace Sulaiman, who has informed the party he was not keen to seek a re-election.

Pembinaan rumah di Bintulu atasi harga, sewa tinggi

January 10, 2013

KUCHING: Projek-projek pembinaan rumah oleh kerajaan di kawasan Bintulu bertujuan antara lain meng-atasi masalah harga dan sewa rumah yang tinggi.

Menteri Muda Perumahan Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata justeru kerajaan berharap dapat mengurangkan beban kewangan dirasai golongan berpendapatan rendah dan sederhana.

Sambil memberitahu harga dan sewa rumah dimajukan oleh swasta adalah di luar kawalan kerajaan, beliau berkata kadar tersebut bergantung kepada permintaan dan pengeluaran.

Beliau menjelaskan, Bintulu merupakan kawasan pesat membangun dengan pelaksanaan Koridor Tenaga Diperbaharui Sarawak (SCORE) justeru permintaan rumah untuk dibeli dan di-sewa adalah tinggi.

“Kita mengakui di Bintulu harga jualan dan sewa rumah adalah tertinggi di Sarawak dan ini menunjukkan pembangunan pesat bandar Bintulu ekoran projek SCORE.

“Penduduk Bintulu dan rakyat Sarawak dapat melihat bagaimana Bintulu begitu pesat membangun dalam 10 tahun kebelakangan ini,” katanya ketika dihubungi kelmarin bagi mengulas isu diutarakan PAS Bintulu di ruangan Facebook baru-baru ini.

Antara lain, PAS Bintulu mendakwa harga rumah teres tengah dua tingkat dijual sekitar RM380,000 dan ke atas manakala sewa rumah RM1,000 dan ke atas.

Just pray for Adenan's fast recovery - Karim

Wednesday January 9, 2013

KUCHING: Special Functions Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office Tan Sri Adenan Satem has been admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur.

People close to him, including those who had visited him at the hospital, are however tight-lipped about his condition. It is believed that they have been advised not to speak to the press.

Assistant Youth Development Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when contacted nevertheless confirmed that the Tanjung Datu assemblyman was admitted to IJN.

Queried further, he said he did know of his (Adenan’s) condition but quick to add: “Just pray for his fast recovery.”

It is believed that senior state minister was admitted sometime last week for treatment of a heart condition .

Some sources said he was getting better although they refused to speculate when he could be discharged.

Efforts to get in touch with Adenan’s wife Puan Sri Jamilah Anu for comments were to no avail.

Abdul Karim: DAP election result a sham

Posted on January 9, 2013, Wednesday

SIBU: A PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the amendment to DAP’s election result to accommodate Zairil Khir Johari was a shame and unacceptable.

“How could his votes have ballooned from 300 to 800 votes after a recount and thus, placing him in the 20th position for the elected committee member smell of hidden hand orchestrating the voting.

“How could DAP, which has always fought for transparency, democracy and good governance, allow its own election be rigged and manipulated just to accommodate Zairil?

“Is DAP trying to hoodwink the world that it is truly a multi-racial party?

“Chong Chieng Jen, who got the fourth highest votes in that election should be able to answer this,” said Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

According to media report, DAP found itself navigating in the sea of criticism after admitting to a party polls mistake and then reinstating a Malay candidate to the last spot in its central executive committee (CEC).

Karim added that the whole fiasco had led to the chairman for DAP election committee, whom he described as a man of principle, to tender his resignation.

PR too carried away with dreams — Abd Karim

Posted on January 9, 2013, Wednesday

KUCHING: Members of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) are too carried away, believing that most people would support them, says a supreme member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, however did not deny the possibility that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) would be able to get some seats in the state in the coming general election but this would happen only in urban seats through Democratic Action Party (DAP) and not Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

“What happened during the last state election will be repeated. This is due to problems affecting a BN component party given the task to contest the urban seats and not due to the voters supporting PR,” he said.

In response to a claim by PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the party’s popularity in the state had reached new heights, Abdul Karim said it was a mistake for Anwar to make that assumption “because most Sarawakians are still true BN supporters”.

State BN Youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof also doubted Anwar’s claim that PKR’s popularity in the state had reached new heights.

Fadillah, who is also Petra Jaya MP, however said Anwar was free to say anything he wanted, adding that the people would not be easily swayed by such claim.

He believed that most Sarawakians appreciated what the BN government had done for the state and country for the past 50 years, adding that the people were smart enough to evaluate the opposition leader’s claim.

Anwar told a press conference on Monday that PKR was confident that its popularity in the state had risen in the run up to the general election.

Abdul Karim ticks off Pakatan

January 8, 2013, Tuesday

KUCHING: The pledge by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to build the Trans-Borneo Highway from Tanjung Datu to Kudat, Sabah is just an empty promise made to hoodwink voters as the general election approaches said PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“They also promise to reduce price of petrol within 24 hours after forming government. These promises, however tempting are ‘carrots dangled’ to voters. Fortunately, not many Sarawakians will fall for them,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Abdul Karim, also Assistant Youth Development Minister, was commenting on the pledge made by PKR Sarawak youth chief Ahmad Nazib Johari who had said the party would build the highway if given mandate by the people to form the new federal government.

Ahmad Nazib who made the promises at a political talk in Kota Samarahan on Sunday said with the highway, travelling by road from here to Miri which usually took 14 hours could be shortened to just four hours.

According to Abdul Karim, such a promise was impossible to keep even if PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim were to be the Prime Minister.

“The rakyat are beginning to see who this Anwar really is. He could have lobbied for this highway when he was the deputy prime minister and finance minister but then what did he do? We have enough of these sweet promises,” he said.

Karim said Barisan Nasional had many plans for the gradual development of the state and would not resort to making election promises just to win votes.

Anwar penabur janji manis

by Rusnan Mustafa.
Posted on January 8, 2013, Tuesday

Banyak janji ditabur kepada negeri di bawah pakatan pembangkang tidak ditunai

KUCHING: Ketua Umum Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim disifatkan sebagai seorang yang terkenal dengan penabur janji manis di Malaysia.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah mendedahkan bahawa banyak janji yang pernah ditabur oleh Anwar pada 16 September 2008 kepada negeri di bawah pemerintahan pakatan pembangkang tidak ditunaikan.

“Siapa tak kenal Anwar, putar belit dan pemberi janji manis paling terkenal di Malaysia… kalau nak tulis satu persatu janji beliau satu surat khabar tidak cukup,” tegasnya.

Oleh itu, Karim menasihati agar rakyat khususnya golongan belia tidak mudah terpengaruh dengan janji manis daripada individu yang tidak akan menunaikan janjinya.

Tambahnya, berjanji memang mudah tetapi menunaikannya susah dan jika Anwar dahulu sewaktu menjadi Timbalan Perdana Menteri (TPM) kerap datang ke Sarawak seperti hari ini, mungkin Sarawak sudah maju sejak dahulu lagi.

“Kita banyak ketinggalan kerana angkara Anwar semasa menjadi TPM dan sewaktu beliau menjadi Menteri Kewangan, beliau tidak memberi penekanan kepada pembangunan Sarawak.

“Peruntukan untuk membina UNIMAS pada masa itu disalurkan kepada negeri lain sehingga pembangunan UNIMAS pada masa itu tergendala sebentar dan hanya dapat dibangunkan selepas beliau tiada lagi memegang jawatan tersebut,” jelasnya.

‘Election fiasco turns party into laughing stock’

Posted on January 6, 2013, Sunday

SIBU: DAP election fiasco had turned the party into a laughing stock as their creditability has been questioned.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah voiced out yesterday that DAP should first check their own party election as there were so many fishy tales and stinky smell to clear.

“DAP being a party that claim to be the most democratic, transparent and multi-racial is now a laughing stock with the ‘fishy’ party election.

“I am amused at how DAP had ‘rigged’ their own election results to bring in Zairil as their 20th elected committee member.

“Zairil, who initially got only 300 plus votes suddenly had his votes ballooned up to 800 plus after a recount! Something is not right somewhere!

“So what has Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen or Sibu MP Wong Ho Leng got to say? Don’t even bother to question SPR for a clean election.

“Check your own party election first! So much of fishy tales and stinky smell to clear …,” said Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

‘Retired civil servants joining opposition hopeless lot’

January 6, 2013

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has described retired civil servants who join the opposition as “hopeless lot”.

“These are frustrated former civil servants who are hopeless themselves when they were civil servants and are now trying their luck as opposition,” he said in a text message.

He was commenting on former Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) general manager Wilfred Landong’s announcement that he had joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

Karim said such retired civil servants would “get nowhere”.

“They (those who choose to join the opposition) will get further frustrated, and they will not pose a threat at all to BN (Barisan Nasional),” he added.

Perhimpunan bukti PR makin terdesak

by Rusnan Mustafa. 

Posted on January 5, 2013, Saturday

“Apa lagi yang mereka nak utarakan adakah ini yang dimegahkan sebagai demokrasi ala PR atau ini cara budaya yang mahu diketengahkan oleh PR sebagai cara menyua-rakan rintihan dan masalah.” - Yang Berhormat Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah 

Abdullah, Karim sifatkan pembangkang sudah ketandusan idea raih sokongan

KUCHING: Tindakan Pakatan Rakyat (PR) meng-anjurkan perhimpunan aman di Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur yang dijadualkan pada 12 Januari ini disifatkan ketandusan idea untuk meraih sokongan rakyat di negara ini.

Ketua Setiausaha Politik Kepada Ketua Menteri Abdullah Saidol berkata, pihak pembangkang sudah ber-ada dalam keadaan terdesak kerana banyak pembohongan dan putar belit mereka sudah menjerut leher mereka sendiri.

“Saya kurang yakin dengan janji mereka untuk berhimpun secara aman kerana telah terbukti pada masa yang lepas, apabila mereka hanya berniat untuk menghuru-hara negara demi kerakusan mereka untuk merampas kuasa politik secara kasar dan biadap,” katanya menerusi khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) kepada Utusan Borneo semalam.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas mengenai tindakan PR yang merancang untuk menganjurkan perhimpunan di Stadium Merdeka Kuala Lumpur pada 12 Januari ini.

Oleh itu, beliau menggesa rakyat yang mahu mengekalkan kestabilan, keamanan dan keharmonian negara menolak cara dan budaya yang tidak bertamadun itu.

“Kita harus tolak budaya politik kasar dan biadap yang diamal oleh pembangkang ini, ia bukan cara dan budaya kita untuk menyelesaikan masalah kerana kita ada kesopanan dan kesusilaan,” katanya yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Semop dan Presiden Kelab Penyokong BN Sarawak.

Kehidupan rakyat di negara ini khasnya di Sarawak yang sudah lama hidup secara bertolak ansur, memahami dan kesefahaman antara satu sama lain, Abdullah memberitahu kedaulatan negara harus dijaga demi menjaga keakraban masyarakat majmuk negara ini.

Sementara itu, Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berharap rakyat Sarawak khususnya para belia tidak terikut budaya songsang itu.

“Saya berharap belia dan rakyat Sarawak waras dan tidak terikut budaya ini… ini budaya barat dan tidak serasi dengan budaya timur.

“Apa lagi yang mereka nak utarakan adakah ini yang dimegahkan sebagai demokrasi ala PR atau ini cara budaya yang mahu diketengahkan oleh PR sebagai cara menyua-rakan rintihan dan masalah,” tegasnya.

Pada masa yang sama, Ka-rim turut menyifatkan tindakan pembangkang menganjurkan perhimpunan didakwa aman itu satu langkah terdesak kerana menemui jalan buntu untuk meraih sokongan rakyat di negara ini.

Barisan Nasional doubts there’s peace within PR

Posted on January 5, 2013, Saturday

“Baru Bian can claim and shout aloud but the one that holds the trump card and makes the decision is still DAP. PKR is asking for Miri, and Stampin seats. Just ask DAP whether they agree?"

SIBU: The Barisan Nasional (BN) is unfazed by claims from the opposition pact that all their three parties are now seeing eye-to-eye.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said yesterday they were not concerned whether or not Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was more organised in facing BN this impending general election.

“No matter what they claim to be, the reality is that they can never come to terms and we all know that. And we are not concerned whether they are more organised for we will fight them, even in more organised strategy than we’d ever been.

“Come election the voters will tell who they want to lead this country,” Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), told The Borneo Post when contacted.

State PKR chief Baru Bian was reported to have told a press conference in Kuching on Thursday that the issue of the so-called overlapping seats was never a main concern of the three parties; namely PKR, DAP and PAS.

Baru was also reported to have said that they had reached an understanding that their main target was BN, adding that they had made a stand that they would accept and support whoever the candidate was.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, meanwhile, said it was wishful thinking on Baru’s part as the statement did not come from Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen or Sibu MP Wong Ho Leng, who led DAP.

Karim: PKR only ‘syok sendiri’

Posted on January 3, 2013, Thursday

SIBU: Barisan Nasional is fully prepared for the impending general election and will not be caught off guard again as in the 2008 election, said PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“PKR leaders are in the midst of what the Malay termed as ‘syok sendiri’ (self-thrill) when they show optimism of winning in the next election.

“In the last general election, BN was caught off guard and not fully prepared but not again this time. BN is better prepared now,” Karim said yesterday.

The Asajaya assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Youth Development was reacting to state PKR vice-chairman See Chee How’s optimism that Pakatan Rakyat, of which PKR is a partner, would win because of the nationwide expectations for change.

Galeri: Launching the Lighting Up of Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub Bridge and Medan Niaga Satok Pontoon Jetty

January 2, 2013

ALL LIGHTED UP: Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg points to the brightly-lit Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub Bridge.