Karim - Victory indicates people accept leadership of Adenan as the CM of Sarawak

March 31, 2014

“The voters of Balingian have made a good choice and I am sure the BN state government and the new YB will not forget them.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Voters in Balingian rejected PKR as they want development, stability and harmony that only Barisan Nasional (BN) can deliver several state BN leaders concluded yesterday.

They said the people realised that the opposition were all about politicking rather than rendering sincere service to people.

To state BN youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof, the big win was a reflection of many factors.

“The trust of the people in Balingian not only on the policies of BN but the hope and belief that BN can bring benefits to the people in Balingian in all aspects of development from physical to human development and welfare of the people.

“More importantly, unity, stability and harmony was what the people voted for,” Fadillah, who is also Works Minister and Petra Jaya MP, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said the landslide victory showed that the people rejected the opposition.

“Yes, indeed that was exactly what we told our people in Balingian and they proved and showed that the ‘Pakatan Pembankang’ has no place in their hearts…better forget about “impian Sarawak”…it is not mere politicking but sincere service to the rakyat that is important,” added Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).

Karim: It is good to see SUPP's two factions sitting together

March 28, 2014

KUCHING: It is good to see that the leaders of the two factions in Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) are finally sitting together.

In making this remark, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leader Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it was a good and positive sign although it was still too early to say that they have reconciled.

“It’s good to see after quite a while the leaders of the two factions are finally sitting together,” he said.

Karim, who is Assistant Youth Development Minister, said this in responding to the meeting between leaders of the groups aligned to Tan Sri Peter Chin and Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh in Mukah on Tuesday.

The meeting which was later followed by handshakes and smiles was initiated by Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem in an attempt to patch up the two camps.

“Though it’s still too early to say they have reconciled, their action does give hope that they could mend fences for the sake of SUPP and the Chinese community. No problem is too big to be resolved,” he added.

SUPP, which is one of the oldest parties in the state, faced an internal crisis since its triennial delegates’ conference (TDC) in 2011 and remained unresolved until today.

PKR leaders barred from entering the state not because they are PKR leaders

March 27, 2014

KUCHING: The state government does not simply bar political leaders from entering the state because of political affiliation.

However, those the state felt as undesirable and had the tendency to create disharmony among the races would be barred, said a PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The Assistant Minister of Youth Development added that the state need not provide any reason to invoke its immigration power under the 18-point agreement signed when Malaysia was formed.

“Preserving racial harmony is not easy. We do not want this harmony that we have built up for umpteen years be destroyed by personalities from Peninsular Malaysia who will just leave us in disarray after they have created havoc,” Abdul Karim who is also Asajaya assemblyman told The Borneo Post when contacted on Tuesday.

He was commenting on three PKR MPs namely vice-president Chua Tian Chang or better known as Tian Chua, strategic director Rafizi Ramli and secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail who were barred from entering the state that day.

They were asked to return to Kuala Lumpur while travel companion and Pakatan Rakyat’s de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was granted permission to enter the state.

Both Tian Chua and Rafizi tweeted about the incident. Tian Chua who is Batu MP tweeted: “Flight with @AnwarIbrahim and @rafiziramli to Sibu; Rafizi & I were told (we were) not allowed to enter Sarawak.”

#tragediMH370 menyayatkan hati. Kami semua bersedih dan mendoakan agar keluarga mangsa tabah menghadapi dugaan ini.

Karim - The return of G4 will strengthen SPDP

March 22, 2014

“The return of the four Aduns (state assemblymen) would definitely strengthen SPDP.” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah 

KUCHING: The reinstatement of the four former leaders of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) into the party, who together with former Mas Gading MP Dr Tiki Lafe were sacked by the party, has been hailed by the state’s political leaders as a good move.

Datuk Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru assemblyman), Datuk Sylvester Enrri (Marudi), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau), who were sacked from the party for gross insubordination and dubbed ‘G4’, received their reinstatement certificates on Wednesday.

Before they were sacked, Nansian was senior vice president, Entri and Rosey were vice presidents and Paulus was information chief.

State Barisan Nasional (BN) youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof said the reinstatement of the four elected representatives into the party was a good move that would strengthen SPDP and BN as a whole.

“The (reinstatement) is good for both SPDP and BN,” Fadillah, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) youth chief and Works Minister, said in his text message when contacted.

PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pointed out that it was good to see all was well in SPDP.

“The return of the four Aduns (state assemblymen) would definitely strengthen SPDP,” the Asajaya assemblyman, who is former chief political secretary to the chief minister, wrote in his text message when contacted.

Kuching association want Tang Soo Do to be included in Sukma 2016

March 22, 2014

KUCHING: The Kuching Tang Soo Do Association will be leading the push for Tang Soo Do to be considered for inclusion into Sukma in 2016.

Assistant Youth Development Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday that he is very supportive of the move.

He urged the association to come up with a comprehensive proposal to be presented to the State government for serious consideration.

“The State government is interested to adopt a new sport such as Tang Soo Do, which has very good medals prospect, into Sukma 2016,” Karim said when receiving a courtesy call from the association.

“I believe the combative sport has great potential considering its achievements in the state and national level in which numerous annual competitions have been organised,” he elaborated.

Karim, also Assistant Housing Minister, was optimistic that Tang Soo Do, which is a popular martial arts sport all over the country, can be included into Sukma.

“It has a lot of potential as we know that the exponents from Sarawak have attained good results in tournaments. Sarawak will have a good chance of winning medals,” he added.

Tang Soo Do disokong jadi acara SUKMA 2016

March 22, 2014

ALBUM: Abdul Karim (tiga kiri) dan Teo (empat kanan) merakamkan kenangan bersama ahli Persatuan Tang Soo Do Kuching semalam.

KUCHING: Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menyokong cadangan Persatuan Tang Soo Do Kuching untuk menyenaraikan seni mempertahankan diri Tang Soo Do sebagai salah satu acara yang akan dipertandingkan pada SUKMA 2016 di Sarawak.

Beliau berkata demikian semasa menerima kunjungan hormat dari persatuan tersebut semalam.

Justeru, Abdul Karim menggesa persatuan tersebut agar tampil dengan cadangan yang lebih lengkap untuk dibentangkan kepada kerajaan negeri bagi mendapatkan kelulusan.

“Kerajaan negeri amat berminat untuk mengetengahkan sukan baharu yang berpotensi seperti Tang Soo Do dipertandingkan pada SUKMA 2016,” katanya.

“Saya percaya Sarawak mempunyai potensi cerah dalam sukan tempur seperti ini berdasarkan pencapaian yang diperolehi pada kejohanan tahunan peringkat negeri dan kebangsaan sebelum ini.”

Abdul Karim yang juga Menteri Muda Perumahan turut optimis sukan yang cukup popular di seluruh negara itu akan disenaraikan dalam SUKMA 2016.

“Ia mempunyai potensi yang baik kerana ramai atlet kita pernah meraih kejayaan dalam kejohanan tersebut. Saya yakin, sukan itu akan menghadiahkan banyak pingat buat Sarawak,” tambahnya.

Karim: What 'Justice for Balingian' you are talking about?

March 21, 2014

“If they expect an overnight metropolitan Balingian like KL or Kuching, then maybe PKR needs to have an ‘Alladdin Lamp’ as even BN won’t be able to do that. -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Barisan Nasional (BN) translates people’s support into physical development for their betterment, state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said yesterday.

“The opposition, on the other hand, only makes empty promises,” he said, adding that people in constituencies represented by PKR/Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had become increasingly frustrated.

“PKR’s slogan of ‘Justice for Balingian’ was merely to attract people’s attention,” he said.

“It’s an attempt by the opposition to manipulate the issues at hand.

“But they never reveal what they can afford to do that is better than what BN has delivered thus far,” he said.

Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), was asked on PKR’s slogan of fighting for the long-term needs of Balingian folk.

State PKR vice-chairman See Chee How claimed that people of Balingian would not be swayed by the goodies dished out by BN during the by-election because what the people wanted were long-term facilities.

Galeri: sidang media Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Koordinasi Perumahan Negeri (SHCC) Ke-12

March 20, 2014

NGIGA CHARA MUTAR PEMAR REGA RUMAH: Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg (tiga kanan) dalam aum pengarang berita seraya disempulang Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah(tiga kiba) enggau Datuk Francis Harden Hollis (dua kanan) sereta ke bukai.

Karim: It is good that PKR has beautiful dreams of winning Balingian

March 17, 2014

“But when you wake up and face reality, only then you realise it’s just a dream, and the good feeling is just temporary.” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: PKR will face the full might of the BN in the Balingian by-election, said state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi.

Promising an all-out fight to keep their stronghold, he added they would fight the opposition as a ‘BN team’.

“We have anticipated their style of campaigning and shall not be overwhelmed by their aggressiveness,” said Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).

He was reacting to PKR Lanang branch chief George Chen’s statement claiming of brighter chance of wresting the seat from BN.

Chen had on Saturday revised their chances of winning Balingian from 30/70 to 50/50 due to “positive vibes on the ground”.

Dr Rundi said PKR were entitled to their opinion and BN would not be affected by it.

“Whatever it is, we will not be morally affected as we know our strength and, to some extent, theirs as well. We will go and fight them to our utmost strength as a BN team.”

Galeri: Program Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat

March 16, 2014

DIPENYADI: Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin bejadi SMK Asajaya 2 (SMK Hajah Laila Taib), Bela dipeda (ari kiba) Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Datuk Abdul karim Hamzah enggau Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan.

1MALAYSIA: Muhyiddin beramah mesra dengan para pelajar SMK Hajah Laila Taib.

Muhyiddin setuju saranan Karim agar nama SMK Asajaya No. 2 ditukar kepada SMK Hajah Laila Taib

 March 16, 2014

ASAJAYA: Lawatan Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin sempena Program Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat di sini membawa berita baik apabila beliau menunaikan harapan penduduk tempatan agar Sekolah Menengah Asajaya No.2 yang baharu dibina ditukar nama SMK Hajah Laila Taib.

Beliau mengumumkan nama sekolah berkenaan dipanggil SMK Hajah Laila Taib selepas permohonan secara lisan dibuat oleh Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah dan disokong oleh Menteri Perancangan Sumber dan Alam Sekitar Kedua Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan semasa program itu.

“Kita di peringkat kementerian akan membuat pindaan pada nama sekolah ini dan sekarang hasrat penduduk di sini telah ditunaikan untuk menamakan sekolah ini dengan nama SMK Hajah Laila Taib,” katanya pada majlis yang diadakan di sekolah itu semalam.

Muhyiddin berkata, penggunaan nama itu bagi mengingati jasa dan pengorbanan Allahyarhamah Laila Taib dalam memartabatkan pendidikan di kawasan itu.

“Kita amat gembira kerana dapat menunaikan apa yang dihasratkan oleh penduduk di sini,” tambahnya.

SMK Hajah Laila Taib yang sebelum ini dipanggil SMK Asajaya No.2 dibina dengan kos lebih RM70 juta dan mula dibuka empat tahun lalu.

Karim dalam ucapannya menyatakan cadangan untuk menukar nama sekolah itu memandangkan di kawasan Asajaya sudah pun mempunyai sekolah yang menggunakan nama SMK Asajaya.

Karim hopes cycling club can produce more winners

March 15, 2014

KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hopes the Corbusier Cycling Club (Team Corbusier) can produce more potential state winners to grab as many medals in Sukma 2016 in cycling events.

“Sarawak will be hosting Sukma 2016. Hopefully Team Corbusier can produce more winners for cycling events through its development programme in two years,” he said this at a press conference at Masja in Petra Jaya yesterday.

Karim wished to see teenage riders gaining great achievements to build up Sarawak in the cycling arena.

He said in the past Sukma, Sarawak was strong in mountain bike cycling.

Looking at the good performance and age aspect, Karim said this cycling club was not only involved in competitions but also have development programmes to build up young riders.

He also complimented that the club was a cycling club for Sarawakians to be proud of. and that the state government would want to make sure the team was assisted.

He announced a government pledge of RM50,000 and personal contribution of RM10,000 for the club.

Karim: It doesn't matter whether bigger or reduced majority in Balingian

March 14, 2014

KUCHING: A supreme council member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is confident that Barisan Nasional (BN) will win the Balingian by-election.

However, he pointed out that whether it would win with a bigger or reduced majority did not matter.

“BN will win the seat…and on whether the majority will increase or decrease is not too important, what is important is that the election process is done smoothly and BN wins the seat,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Youth Development Minister, said in his text message.

Abdul Karim did not dwell further on the candidate, except to say that the candidate is a Melanau Christian and his name will be announced by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin tomorrow.

At least five names – Adrian Langi Dorhat Alphonsus, Yussibnosh Balo, Akit Sebli, Dr Anthony Valentine Laiseh and Paul Druce – have been bandied about as the potential candidate.

The seat fell vacant following the resignation of incumbent Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Feb 28 to take up his appointment as the state’s seventh Yang di-Pertua Negeri on March 1.

State PAS information chief ignorant — Abdul Karim

March 11, 2014

SIBU: State PAS information chief Andri Zulkarnaen Hamden have been told to do his homework for alleging that BN was running short of young leaders.

PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said many BN leaders at the state and federal levels were second and third echelon leaders.

“Do not comment without basis. Check on BN leaders in state and federal ministries, as well as BN YBs. Many are ‘pelapis’ or second and third echelon leaders who are brought into politics to serve.

“Almost all of them are professionals,” said Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

Andri had also claimed that the recent move by new Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem to keep the state cabinet he inherited from Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at status quo indicated that the BN government lacked younger leaders who could take over important roles.

Abdul Karim said Andri was ignorant of the set up of a government.

Chief political secretary to the Chief Minister, Abdullah Saidol, had recently also described Andri’s comment as “half past six” comment that was absolutely nonsense.

PRK Balingian: ‘Wish of local voters taken into account in selection of candidate’

March 11, 2014

SIBU: The requests, wishes and aspirations of local voters and grassroots leaders will be taken into account when PBB selects its candidate for the Balingian by-election.

However, it would be up to the party’s top leadership to make the final decision, said PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

He was responding to news report that the Youth and Women wings of PBB Balingian wished to see a young candidate.

“The Youth and Women wings of PBB Balingian has got every right to express their desire and aspiration on who the party candidate should be but the final say will come from the party’s top leadership who when coming to a decision, will take into account all requests, wishes and aspiration of local voters including

grassroots leaders,” the Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman said.

Balingian Saberkas branch secretary Royston Valentine reportedly said although young people might be lacking in experience it would not be a big problem as they could learn from those who were experienced.

Royston also said younger people were more energetic and aggressive in carrying out their duties if they were given the opportunity to hold the post and could influence other youthful citizens.

Karim: Baru is not CM Adenan’s level for a debate

March 8, 2014

SIBU: The government has formulated a clear policy on NCR land, hence any opposition call for debate on the matter is nothing more than a political gimmick, PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.

He described the proposal by PKR Belaga chief Abun Sui that Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem debate with state PKR chief Baru Bian on the NCR issue as another cheap gimmick by PKR to get publicity.

“Baru is not Adenan’s level for a debate.

“Even in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), I notice Baru has been quiet and passive. Why out of the blue this sudden challenge for a debate?” asked Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

Abun was quoted to have said there was a need for such a debate as many people were affected by the

government policy on NCR land.

Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie yesterday said the BN government, being a caring government and serious about NCR matters, has a clear policy and allocated budget to carry out the perimeter survey.

“To me there is no issue at all. It is just the opposition who are trying to rack up issues as they know land issue is central to the heart of the people.

‘Take part in co-curricular activities’

March 8, 2014

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Academic excellence alone does not measure a student’s success.

Making this remark in his speech at the closing of the 11th Sports Meet for Secondary Schools in Samarahan Division yesterday, Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah said a student should be involved in co-curricular activities so that they will be more complete and ready when they proceed to another stage in life.

“You must balance your academics and co-curricular activities and this is one of the ways you can show ability not only as an individual but in a team,” he said.

Teamwork is a useful lesson to learn and will be beneficial to an individual later in life, he added.

Abdul Karim said such an athletic meet is also good to scout for a ‘bank’ of athletes that can represent the division, the state or nation.

He praised secondary schools and the youth of Samarahan division for winning many sport trophies for the state and urged them to keep up the good work.

Abdul Karim also pledged RM20,000 for Majlis Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM) Samarahan Division for it to continue with sports development programmes.

Galeri: Majlis Penyerahan Geran dan Penghargaan 2014

March 7, 2014

Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (second right) presenting the government grant to Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) deputy president Datu Abu Bakar Marzuki (right) while (from left) Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Rural Areas) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin look on. -Source

Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (front row, third right) together with (from left) Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Rural Areas) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Ministry of Social Development permanent secretary Affendi Keli during a photo call with the grant recipients. -Source

Galeri: Signing of Letter of Appointment

March 4, 2014

Assistant ministers (from left) Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Dr Jerip Susil sign their letters of appointment.

Opposition will be rejected in Balingian — Abdul Karim

 March 3, 2014

SIBU: Voters in Balingian state constituency will reject the opposition’s brand of politics founded on malicious campaigning and lies.

This is because voters there are mature and know which party has been helping them, said PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

He was reacting to state PKR chairman Baru Bian’s statement that PKR would field a local candidate and use the price hike as their weapon against BN.

Tagging themselves as ‘underdog’, Baru claimed they were capable of winning the hearts of the people there despite it being a BN stronghold.

To this, Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said: “What else is new to PR or PKR?

“I thought they have been using price hike as one of their main campaigning issues in the past election and this one is nothing new.”

He reckoned that PKR must have been looking for issues as propaganda the last few days and could only come up with the “price hike” again to hoodwink the people.

Karim: Balingian is as good as ours already

March 2, 2014

KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) which indicated that it will contest in the Balingian by-election, will hardly be a match for juggernaut BarisanNasional (BN).

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the seat “is already as good as ours (BN)”.

“Whoever is going to contest against BN is the least of our concerns.

“We are not being arrogant, but the seat is as good as ours already,” the Assistant Minister of Youth Development pointed out in his text message.

The Balingian seat fell vacant after Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud relinquished the chief minister’s post on Feb 28 and was appointed the seventh Head of State.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing, said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) of PKR was just “wasting their time” contesting as the constituency is a stronghold of PBB and BN.

State BN secretary-general DatukDr Stephen Rundi Utom has also said BN was ready for the opposition and stands united against its fledgling foe.