BN does not neglect youths, says Abdul Karim

September 29, 2014

SIBU: Barisan Nasional (BN) parties and leaders in the state have never neglected the youths, says PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He added this could be seen in the numerous youth activities conducted in urban or rural areas.

“BN see the youths as an important element for further development of the state as well as inheritance of leadership and will make sure they are properly nurtured and prepared for that role,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported Tebing branch Puteri Umno chief Nik Nur Amilla Ahmad as saying that young people’s support for BN had risen.

She reportedly said surveys and campaigns held found that many youths and women in their early 20s supported the BN candidate in the Pengkalan Kubor by-election.

Pengkalan Kubor win shows faith in BN

September 28, 2014

KUCHING: The Barisan Nasional’s (BN’s) victory in the Pengkalan Kubor by-election reflects the people’s strong faith in the coalition government.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said Mat Razi Mat Ali’s ability to retain the seat for the party with an increased majority clearly showed voters turning to BN.

“Definitely yes, more so when BN defeated PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) in the last 13th general election, and now the victory against PAS (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) with a higher majority,” Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), told thesundaypost.

Karim agrees to idea of arming enforcement officers

September 26, 2014

KUCHING: A lawmaker agrees with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s idea of arming enforcement officers of the state Forest Department.

Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the idea was good as it would give confidence to the enforcement team in their daily work. He said that providing the enforcement team with guns did not mean they could shoot at anything.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development, said this in response to Adenan announcement Wednesday that Forest Department enforcement officers would be armed in the face of rampant illegal logging in the state of late.

Among others, Adenan said he had received many reports on timber smuggling, illegal logging, illegal sawmills and evasion of timber royalty which happened in broad daylight, adding that providing guns to the enforcement team would give them more confidence when carrying out their duties.

Abdul Karim said there were standard operation procedures (SOP) to be followed by the enforcement officers before they could discharge their weapon.

Piala Sarawak: Skuad Samarahan serba mantap

September 19, 2014

BARISAN MANTAP: (Barisan tengah dari tiga kanan) Haidel, Abdul Karim dan Ismawi bersama jurulatih dan para pemain Samarahan yang akan mengharungi Piala
Sarawak 2014.

Berbekalkan semangat juang tinggi Karim yakin piala berprestij itu kembali semula ke dakapan PBBS

KUCHING: Pemain bola sepak Samarahan perlu mempunyai mentaliti mesti menang jika berhasrat untuk membawa pulang kejuaraan Piala Sarawak.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yang juga penaung Persatuan Bola Sepak Bahagian Samarahan (PBBS) menjelaskan pemain juga harus mempunyai semangat juang yang tinggi serta komited untuk menjulang nama Samarahan di persada bola sepak tempatan.

“Saya yakin berbekalkan semangat yang tinggi dalam diri setiap pemain akan merealisasikan impian Samarahan muncul juara Piala Sarawak 2014.

“Sudah pasti kita semua di sini mahu melihat piala berprestij itu kembali semula ke Samarahan setelah kali terakhir kita melakukannya pada 2008,” katanya semasa majlis penyerahan bendera skuad Samarahan kelmarin.

Hadir sama Presiden PBBS Haidel Heli, Pengurus Pasukan Ismawi Muhammad, Naib Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Sarawak (FAS) Razali Dolhan dan Temenggong Bahagian Samarahan Chek Bujang.

Beliau yang juga Menteri Muda Perumahan juga meletakkan harapan yang tinggi di bahu skuad bimbingan Ibrahim Mentali itu untuk membawa Samarahan muncul juara bagi edisi kali ini.

Pada masa yang sama, ADUN N.14 Asajaya itu berharap kejayaan pasukan bola sepak akan menjadi pemangkin kepada impian Samarahan untuk menjadi kuasa sukan di negeri ini.

Tiada keperluan mansuh Akta Hasutan

September 14, 2014

Memadai jika pindaan dibuat bagi memperbaiki akta tersebut, kata Abdul Karim

KUCHING: Tidak ada keperluan untuk memansuhkan Akta Hasutan bagi digantikan dengan Akta Keharmonian Nasional.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, sebaliknya memadai jika pindaan dibuat bagi memperbaiki akta tersebut.

“Kenapa perlu memansuhkan Akta Hasutan sekarang? Adakah ia mempunyai banyak kelemahan atau pihak berwajib yang menjalankan penguatkuasaan tidak memainkan peranan?

“Secara peribadi, saya tidak melihat keperluan untuk mewujudkan akta baharu, sama ada ia dipanggil Akta Keharmornian Nasional atau apa sahaja, jika niatnya sama,” katanya.

Beliau berkata antara fasal-fasal tertentu yang boleh dibuat selari dengan perubahan semasa adalah berkaitan media sosial tetapi bukan keseluruhan akta.

“Memperkenalkan akta baharu adalah seperti melahirkan bayi.

“Kita tidak memerlukan itu di Malaysia melainkan kerajaan bangga akta itu diperkenalkan kerajaan,” katanya.

Galeri: Perasmian Piala Sarawak 2014

September 21, 2014

SEDIA BERTANDING: Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (kiri) menyampaikan cenderamata kepada wakil dari pasukan Bintulu semasa merasmikan Kejohanan Piala Sarawak 2014 di Stadium Mini Samarahan semalam.

Agenda peribadi di sebalik idea keluar Malaysia

September 18, 2014

Pihak yang cuba bawa Sabah dan Sarawak keluar Malaysia ada kepentingan, kecewa dalam politik

KUCHING: Pihak yang cuba membawa Sabah dan Sarawak keluar Malaysia adalah mereka yang mempunyai kepentingan sendiri selain kecewa dalam karier politik mereka.

Malahan tindakan sedemikian bukan sahaja merupakan kesilapan besar kepada negeri ini tetapi disifatkan sebagai ‘tindakan bodoh’ seperti yang dinyatakan oleh Ketua Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem pada Majlis Sambutan Hari Malaysia malam kelmarin yang turut mendapat sokongan khasnya daripada ahli Barisan Nasional (BN).

Ketua Pemuda Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Fadillah Yusof yang menyokong kenyataan itu menjelaskan, pihak tersebut ada agenda peribadi untuk kepentingan sendiri.

Kata Menteri Kerja Raya itu dari segi sejarah dan fakta terbukti Sarawak membangun bersama Malaysia dalam semua aspek.

“Ya kita akui masih ba-nyak yang perlu kita lakukan namun jurang antara wilayah sudah semakin rapat.

“Kalau dulu kita tiada sekolah asrama penuh di Sarawak, kini sudah ada malah ada universiti.

“Banyak kemudahan dan infrastruktur sudah dipertingkatkan malah diperhebatkan.

Chong’s posting on national anthem rattles political leaders

September 18, 2014

KUCHING: Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen’s statement to denounce the playing of Negara Ku in cinemas on Malaysia Day has received angry reaction from political leaders.

Chong, in his Facebook page, among others wrote, “Is Malaysia heading towards the communist Mao era where everywhere you go, you must shout loud and show that you are patriotic?”

Chong has subsequently apologised for his comment and subsequently retracted the posting.

Chief political secretary to Chief Minister Abdullah Saidol, said although Chong has apologised and retracted the posting, the first impression mattered most.

“I am surprise and disgusted at the same time over the comment and attitude of a Malaysian citizen, who is an elected representative. Although he (Chong) subsequently acknowledged his comment as inappropriate, his first impression about the subject (national anthem) counts,” Abdullah said.

The Semop assemblyman said many people have read the comment, and Chong should be ashamed of himself.

“How dare he (Chong) compare us to Mao’s communist era,” Abdullah said, adding it was not wrong to stand for a few minutes in cinemas while the National Anthem was playing.

Abdullah believed many people were able to judge by themselves the despicable attitude shown by Chong and that “speaks loud about who he is and what he represents”.

Galeri: CMS Borneo Junior Open

September 16, 2014

Winners of various categories in the tournament posing with (from left) SRAS president Robert Lau Hui Yew, SAK president Sim Chin Kheng, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, SRAM vice president Peter Chee, CMSB Group managing director Datuk Richard Curtis and organising chairman Idris Sulaiman after the prize presentation.

Kekurangan fasiliti bantutkan usaha pembangunan sukan skuasy

September 15, 2014

KUCHING: Kekurangan fasiliti sukan skuasy di negeri ini membantutkan usaha pembangunan dan melahirkan pemain-pemain berbakat biarpun sukan tersebut kini semakin mendapat tempat di kalangan anakanak muda tempatan.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar), Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata sejak dari dahulu hanya gelanggang skuasy yang terletak di Sarawak Club sahaja digunakan untuk penganjuran pertandingan.

Sehubungan itu, beliau akan mengetengahkan isu kekurangan fasiliti sukan skuasy pada mesyuarat kabinet akan datang.

“Jadi, saya berharap Persatuan Skuasy Sarawak tidak berasa risau dan terus berusaha membangunkan sukan skuasy.

“Saya akan ketengahkan perkara ini pada mesyuarat kabinet akan datang,” katanya berucap pada majlis penyampaian hadiah CMS Borneo Cup di sini semalam.

Beliau turut memuji komitmen di tunjukkan Persatuan Skuasy Sarawak yang berjaya menganjurkan banyak pertandingan peringkat umur.

“Bukan mudah untuk menganjurkan banyak pertandingan kerana kebiasaannya memerlukan sokongan sektor korporat,” ujarnya.

Halt the drug scourge

September 15, 2014

“Many drug users are from the younger generation because of peer influence and trend." -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

Agency: 7 out of every 10 drug addicts caught in Malaysia last year aged between 19 and 39

SIBU: Loud calls for more educational and youth-related programmes are ringing across the country as drug abuse is ensnaring a huge number of youths.

In the first 11 months of last year, of the 7,078 drug addicts rounded up, 4,893 – or 69.13 per cent – were individuals aged between 19 and 39.

According to the National Anti-Drugs Agency’s (AADK), friends had influenced 2,929 of these 7,078 drug addicts, or 42.88 per cent, to get hooked on drugs.

Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye urged the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam) to implement more educational programmes as the bulk of drug addicts were youths.

“The answer to this drug problem is actually prevention. Unless and until you can mount an effective prevention programme, you will be just ‘fire-fighting’ all the time.

“More importantly, is the prevention programme (effective) to stop people from getting hooked on drugs? This is the most practical way, and it requires a concerted effort,” Lee told The Borneo Post.

Lee said sporting activities were also effective in keeping youths from being lured into taking drugs.

Toastmasters’ ‘Get a life, live the dream’ camp a big success

September 12, 2014 

Abdul Karim (seated centre with raised fist) in a group photo with the participants and organising members after the closing ceremony.

KUCHING: Youth Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was delighted with an overwhelming response for a recent Third Youth Leadership & Communication Development Camp 2014 at Kem Belia Pueh in Sematan,

He said the overwhelming response had encouraged him to promise to increase the grant for the next camp.

Karim, who was the camp patron, made the promise when officiating the camp.

He said he was also pleased to hear that the participants are requesting for more such camps to be held.

Throughout the three-day-two-night camp, educational and developmental programmes including public speaking, impromptu speech, judging and speech coaching workshops were conducted to equip participants with the basics and dynamics of public speaking.

Despite the intense programme, knowledge and skills were still imparted in a humorous, fun and entertaining manner by principal facilitator Mike Lim, aided by a team of seasoned Toastmasters and volunteers from local and abroad, thus making the learning process not only more enjoyable but more effective as a whole.

Apart from educational programmes, participants utilised the power of teamwork in the obstacle course and ‘night walk’ jungle trekking while ‘Oscar Night’ provided a platform for the young participants to showcase their many talents.

Chong pre-empting EC’s move, BN leaders charge

September 9, 2014

“YB Chong must have a short memory. After the last delineation, the seat of Kota Sentosa was created. Who is the winner in Kota Sentosa?" Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Two BN leaders yesterday blasted State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen for ‘pre-empting’ the Election Commission (EC) plan to create about nine new state seats during its delineation exercise this December.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said Chong’s statement insinuated that the new seats were meant for the nine assemblymen who left SUPP and SPDP recently to form new parties.

Chong, also Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, was also quoted as saying there was no chance for the state to increase its constituencies without the consent of MPs from Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

Karim: Cultural festivals great platform to strengthen unity

September 7, 2014

(Back row, from left) Temenggong Lu, Liu, Chan, Karim and Hanifah join a group of children to carry lanterns.

KUCHING: Cultural festivals like Mooncake and Lantern Festival are great avenues to foster community and family bonds, promote multi-cultural understanding and encourage ownership, all of which are important to strengthen national unity and harmony.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who was representing Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, said this at the MBKS-Federation Chinese Association Lantern Festival held at MBKS Community Hall on Friday.

“Religious and racial harmony and tolerance are extremely essential and must be understood by all so that we can live together peacefully and practise our respective faith without hindrance and fear,” he stressed.

The older generation, Karim pointed out, understood this sensitivity very well and every citizen thus must impart these values to the younger generation.

In addition, Karim stressed that an occasion such as this also emphasised the importance of family bonding, which served as a stark reminder to the changing lifestyle of the present day world.

Children dressed in adorable costume with their specially made lanterns perform before the judges.

“Families remain the pillar of our society, and a strong family institution adds to the strength and resilience of our society,” he reminded.

Even though the Mooncake and Lantern Festival was originally celebrated by the Chinese community, Karim pointed out that this festival, like all other major festivals in the state, was no longer confined to a certain ethnic group.

Abdul Karim cautions against hasty reaction to racist posting by JIM

September 7, 2014

KUCHING: People in the state should not be unduly alarmed with the Facebook posting by a group claiming to be Jemaah Isis Malaysia (JIM) calling for the beheading of Dayaks in the state.

Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said all peace loving Sarawakians were very angry with the posting, but the people needed to be cautious.

“Angry…yes we are angry…all peace loving Malaysians and Sarawakians of any ethnic race are angry with such despicable and irresponsible statement by the so-called JIM.

“But we need to be cautious because JIM might be those in our midst who are out to create tension and cause rift among peaceful and harmonious Sarawakians,” Abdul Karim said in his text message.

The posting, which has gone viral, had led many Dayak-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political parties across the state to lodge police reports.

“In the first place, who is JIM?” Abdul Karim also Assistant Minister of Youth Development asked.

Kenakan tindakan tegas pengguna laman sosial lagakan rakyat

September 4, 2014

KUCHING: Cegah sebelum parah, mungkin ungkapan yang sesuai bagi menggambarkan situasi dalam media sosial sejak kebelakangan ini yang ada antaranya menyentuh sensitiviti agama atau perkauman.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM) dan agensi kerajaan berkaitan mesti bertindak tegas terhadap mana-mana individu yang melakukan khianat dan melaga-lagakan rakyat menerusi laman sosial.

“Laman sosial seperti Facebook adalah bagus sebagai penghubung jika ia digunakan dengan baik tetapi ia juga boleh digunakan oleh mereka yang tidak bertanggungjawab untuk melakukan khianat dan melaga-lagakan rakyat.

“SKMM dan agensi-agensi kerajaan yang bertanggungjawab memantau anasir-anasir jahat ini mesti bertindak tegas dan jangan ambil ringan perkara ini.

“Jangan bila sudah merebak di segenap pelosok negara baharu hendak ambil tindakan,” katanya semalam diminta mengulas mengenai sikap pengguna media sosial yang menghina kaum dan agama dalam perbincangan di alam maya.

Malah, Karim berkata penggunaan Facebook di negara ini juga harus dikawal selia dengan baik bagi mengelak perkara tersebut daripada terus berleluasa.

“Pemilik akaun mesti didaftar dan kod etika pengguna mesti disenaraikan,” katanya.

Repealing Sedition Act not a wise move – Karim

September 3, 2014

KUCHING: A lawmaker is against the idea of repealing the Sedition Act to be replaced by the National Harmony Bill.

Asajaya assemblyman Datul Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, suggested that the government amend the Sedition Act to rectify the shortcoming.

“Why the need to repeal the sedition Act now? Are there too much flaws in it, or the authority that should be enforcing it does not do its part?

“Personally, I don’t see the need for another Act, whether it is called the National Harmony Act or whatever if its intention is similar,” Abdul Karim told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He said certain clauses might need amendment to meet the changes happening in society, especially those related to social media, but not to repeal the whole Act. National Harmony Bill, if passed would meet the same fate as the Sedition Act, if the government did not enforce it, he said.

The Assistant Minister of Youth Development said whoever was at the helm of the government should not “repeal this and that Act just as they like”, only to regret it after realising there were still flaws in the new Act.

“Introducing a totally new Act is like coming up with a new baby and we don’t need that in Malaysia unless the government feels and takes pride that this or that Act was introduced by the government.

Karim: FAM and police should have been better prepared

September 1, 2014

‘FAM, cops should have been better prepared for any untoward incident’ - Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahmah Hamzah

The burnt police vehicle.

KUCHING: Police have caught five youths for allegedly sparking a riot at the State Stadium here on Saturday shortly after the Sarawak-Perak Malaysia Cup match ended 1-1.

Eleven people, including five policemen, were hurt in the mayhem that resulted in seven police vehicles damaged, including one overturned and another burnt.

Four of the six females, aged between six and 15, who were hurt while helping to man their family stalls. The other two were spectators.

The five male suspects, aged between 17 and 20 are now placed under remand until Sept 4. Two of them are from here and the rest from Samarahan.

Proposed Social Workers Act discourages spirit of volunteerism

September 1, 2014

SIBU: Youth Development Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah agrees with the state government’s stand in not adopting the proposed Social Workers Act 2012.

He too believed the proposed Act would be counterproductive to the spirit of volunteerism.

“I fully support the state government in not adopting the Social Workers’ Act.

Abdul Karim was asked if the Act could cause youths to shun taking up community work.

“One of the requirements under the Act – that social workers must have a degree will definitely be a stumbling block to sincere committed workers who are not graduates.

“I agree with YB CM (Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem) that the Act will curtail ‘volunteerism’ in our society.

“This is an important aspect of social work and many social workers are doing it on a voluntary basis so the new condition set by the Act will definitely discourage this good spirit,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman told The Borneo Post.

Insiden rusuhan amat mendukacitakan: Karim

September 1, 2014

KUCHING: Insiden keganasan atau rusuhan bola sepak yang berlaku ketika perlawanan antara Sarawak dan Perak di Stadium Negeri malam kelmarin adalah suatu yang amat mendukacitakan.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar), Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata kejadian tersebut tidak sepatutnya berlaku dan berpendapat seorang penyokong yang bertanggungjawab sepatutnya bijak mengawal perasaan dan emosi.

Justeru, beliau menyatakan tindakan merusuh dan merosakkan harta benda awam (vandalisme) merupakan suatu kesalahan yang serius dan pihak yang bertanggungjawab melakukannya dikenakan tindakan sewajarnya.