Don’t be an ‘empty drum’ and a traitor, Karim tells Aziz

December 22, 2014

SIBU: All Barisan Nasional (BN) welfare programmes are generally well accepted and appreciated by the people, said Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He was reacting to a statement by special assistant to DAP state chairman Chong Chieng Jen, Abdul Aziz Isa, that there was growing discontent in some Malay-majority areas especially pertaining to welfare, ‘sick’ projects, complications in acquiring low-cost housing, village safety and problems with community leaders.

“This is reflected in the support BN gets in every election in Bumiputera areas.

“I would urge Aziz Isa to open his eyes and ears wider. Don’t be an ‘empty drum’ and a traitor. He won’t go far that way,” added Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman.

Aziz Isa had said based on the issues, DAP would win in several predominantly-Malay constituencies in the next state election.

He further claimed that the complaints were mostly received from their service centres in Tupong, Satok, Samariang, Pantai Damai, Asajaya and Simunjan, which also touched on unapproved e-Kasih (government programme to aid the poor) applications, issues with Baitulmal aid and welfare.

To this, Abdul Karim, who is PBB Supreme Council member said: “Well, any constituency be it BN or opposition-held definitely has issues and disgruntled voters. That’s a reality he has to accept.”

He pointed out that all requests for assistance were vetted and only the eligible ones were assisted.

“But not all applicants will get a positive reply because there are ‘means’ test to follow. Those that are rejected and not eligible definitely will have grouses. If Aziz Isa feels that their cases are more appropriate to be assisted instead of the genuinely poor, then I feel sad for him.”

He welcomed DAP to contest in Malay majority constituencies in the coming state election.

“We can’t stop them from contesting or dreaming of winning any seat. Aziz Isa is a loner in DAP which is predominantly a chauvinist one-race party in Sarawak.

“His presence there is just cosmetic and a front to show that it is a multi-racial party when in reality it is not.”

He believed that Aziz Isa’s optimism did not reflect the reality on the ground, where support for PBB and BN was still very strong.

“We will prove and show it in the next state election. Aziz can choose any Malay majority seat he wishes and we will show him that what he claims is just a myth and a big dream,” he said.