No political connections involved — Karim

November 19, 2011

MAKING IT CLEAR: Abdul Karim (right) pointing to a map as he exchanged opinions with Chong
(DAP-Kota Sentosa).

KUCHING: Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya) yesterday denied that a land titled Lot 2678, which is under his name, was acquired through political connections.

He also denied that the land is not subject to Section 47 of the Land Code. Abdul Karim gave his explanation in the august house in response to an allegation hurled by Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota sentosa) on Wednesday.

Chong, during his debate speech, had alleged the land, which was registered under Abdul Karim’s name, was “conspicuously” and “suspiciously” excluded from the area which is subject to Section 47.

“I do not deny that the land is registered under my name. I do not deny that the identification card number read in the august house is mine. However, I specifically deny ever using any influence or connections to make sure that the land is not subject to Section 47,” Abdul Karim explained.

He pointed out that the gazetted notification 1042, and the imposition of Section 47, was made on April 5, 1999, for the establishment of a secondary school.

“In 1999, I was still practising law and only became a political secretary in 2000. I stood for election in 2001,” he said.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development, stressed that he bought the land in 2009, 10 years after the imposition of Section 47, and the Memorandum of Transfer was inked on June 20, 2009.

“How on earth the honorable member of Kota Sentosa allege and infer that the piece of land is not included under Section 47 because the registered owner is myself?” Abdul Karim asked.

“In 1999, I am not even the registered owner yet, likewise the government and also the Land and Survey Department (LSD) could not reasonably foresee that the particular piece of land will be registered under my name,” he said.

Abdul Karim said Chong, as a lawyer, should have known better as his actions could embarrass and tarnish his name, the LSD, and the government.

Meanwhile, Chong, who is also Bandar Kuching MP, saluted Abdul Karim for taking the trouble to explain to the august house on the matter. He said this should be emulated by other DUN members.

“He (Abdul Karim) explained that there was no political connection to exclude his land from Section 47, and we accept his explanation.

“If Abdul Karim can (make explanation), there is no reason why others cannot provide personal explanation pertaining to allegations against them. This is because the non-provision of explanations would create more doubts and suspicions among the people,” he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Chong said they were satisfied and accepted the explanation given by Abdul Karim, but the more pertinent issue here was why the other parcels of land which were not used for the construction of a secondary school there could not be removed from Section 47.

He said the unused land ought to be released because in the event the land was to be acquired for development purposes by private parties or the government in future, then the land price would be based on the market value in 1999, when Section 47 was imposed.

“This will be unfair to the landowners, and what we want is for the government to uplift the present Section 47. In the event that the land is to be acquired for development in future, then a new Section 47 notification can be imposed,” said Chong.