Abdul Karim: Setting up district-level MCPF the right move

March 31, 2015

SIBU: Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah praised the effort to set up the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) in all districts nationwide yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, was commenting on Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that MCPF would set up branches in districts nationwide to curb crimes involving juveniles aged between seven and 14 years old.

“I do agree that crimes are being committed by those in the younger age group, and though it has not reached a critical stage, this is something for us to ponder and address because these young offenders will be getting older and we do not want them to continue their bad habits,” he added.

He pointed out that schools, NGOs (non-governmental bodies), and especially parents, had a big role to play in moulding youths so that they would not end up a menace to society.

“They must be guided to be responsible citizens even when they are still young,” he stressed.

“Hopefully all members of society could play their part as this cannot be addressed by the police or schools,” added Abdul Karim.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reportedly said crimes involving juveniles rose despite a drop in the 2014 crime index to 12.6 per cent since the Prevention of Crime Act 2013 was introduced.

Karim puji komitmen Persatuan Bolasepak Bahagian Sibu

March 30, 2015

SIBU: Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah memuji usaha Persatuan Bola Sepak Bahagian Sibu (SDFA) yang tidak pernah berputus asa menganjurkan apa-apa pertandingan bola sepak di kalangan belia tempatan di sini.

Beliau berkata, melalui usaha SDFA itu membolehkan bola sepak di sini membangun dan mendapat sambutan mengalakkan.

“Seperti kita semua maklum bola sepak adalah sukan mempunyai berjuta-juta peminat bukan sahaja di Sarawak, tetapi seluruh dunia.

“Oleh itu, sukan bola sepak juga membantu tubuh badan cergas dan minda sihat setiap masa,” katanya ketika menyempurnakan sepak mula Piala Sumbangsih seterusnya Liga Sibu 2015 di Stadium Tun Zaidi, di sini petang kelmarin.

Perlawanan pembukaan Liga Sibu 2015 dan Piala Sumbangsih membabitkan pasukan V8 FC dan Bushna Nazario FC.

Pasukan V8 FC adalah juara Liga Sibu 2014, manakala Bushna Nazario juara Piala FA Sibu 2014.

Abdul Karim berkata, selain menganjurkan Liga Sibu 2015 SDFA juga boleh menganjurkan kejohanan bola sepak sama ada antara sekolah, daerah atau bahagian.

Galeri: Majlis Penyerahan Geran Tahunan Kepada Persatuan-Persatuan Sukan dan Pertubuhan

March 28, 2015

BERSEMANGAT: Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (tengah) ditemani Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah dan Datuk Lee Kim Shin bersama wakil persatuan dan pertubuhan sukan di Kuching semalam.

BN S’wak patut tegap penemu nagang pengerembai undang-undang Hudud

March 25, 2015

KUCHING: Sarawak betuah nadai kaul enggau undang-undang Hudud.

Menteri Muda Pengawa Berumah Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah madah, nitih penemu iya Undang-undang Hudud nya endang enda patut dipejalai di menua tu tauka di Malaysia.

“Aku enda setujuka undang-undang Hudud dipejalai di nengeri tu, baka nya mega Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak enda tau enda tegap penemu nagang undang-undang nya ngerembai kitu.

“Sarawak, ngembuan mayuh pupu raban bansa enggau jalai pengarap, Undang-undang Hudud endang enda patut dipejalai ditu. Kitai enda tau enda meretika sentiment pengarap orang bukai, sereta nyangka sida enda ingatka Konstitusyen Perintah Besai ke meruan ke lalau sistem legal menua kitai lalu iya enda tau sengapa ditukar,” ku Abdul Karim.

Iya madah munyi nya lebuh dirandau pemberita pengudah betemu enggau raban exco Gerempung Pemberita Pelilih Menua Kuching (KDJA) enggau MLNG di opis menteri muda nya di Wisma Perumahan ditu, ensana.

Ku iya, undang-undang tauka sistem ba sesebengkah menua ukai utai ti tau ditukar sepeneka ati nitihka jalai politik tang semua kitai patut ngira orang bukai sekalika undang-undang tauka sistem nya diterima tauka enda.

“Kitai betuah di Sarawak, naka diatu nadai mayuh macham ulah tauka penusah nyadi, enda baka dipeda kitai di Kelantan. Perintah Besai enggau UMNO pan, pelaba aku betapi enggau penanggul mutarka Undang-undang Hudud ke baru dikemendar di Kelantan apin lama ke udah,” ku iya.

Hudud: Semua pihak harus buat keputusan

March 24, 2015

JEMPUTAN RASMI: Sulok (tiga kiri) menyerahkan surat jemputan bagi perasmian Hari Sukan MLNG/KDJA kepada Karim (tengah). Turut kelihatan Johannes (tiga kanan) serta ahli-ahli jawatankuasa eksekutif KDJA.

Jangan biarkan hanya beberapa Ahli Parlimen atau ADUN menentukan pelaksanaannya bagi semua orang

KUCHING: Jangan membiarkan hanya beberapa Ahli Parlimen atau Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) menentukannya bagi semua orang.

Demikian pandangan Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah merujuk kepada pelaksanaan hukum hudud di negara ini.

Sebaliknya, beliau berkata untuk melaksanakan enakmen tersebut, semua pihak harus melihat sama ada ia dapat diterima dengan baik atau tidak oleh keseluruhan rakyat terlebih dahulu.

“Jika mahu mengubahnya, mungkin ia perlu melalui referendum… jangan membiarkan hanya beberapa Ahli Parlimen atau ADUN menentukannya bagi semua orang.

“Kita harus melihat sama ada ia dapat diterima dengan baik atau tidak terlebih dahulu dan jika tidak, maka kita harus terus berpegang kepada sistem undang-undang yang telah kita amalkan selama ini,” katanya kepada pemberita di sini, semalam.

Karim yang juga Menteri Muda Perumahan menambah, adalah tidak perlu untuk sistem undang-undang negara yang diamalkan selama ini diubah kerana ia adalah masih relevan dan baik.

“Bagi saya, untuk mengatakan undang-undang (Islam atau bukan Islam) perlu diamalkan, adalah tidak wajar juga kerana sama ada dalam Islam, apa sahaja kebaikan yang dilakukan oleh ummahnya, maka ia menjadi baik di mata Tuhan dan begitu juga bagi agama lain.

Hudud: Hold referendum before changing the legal system

March 24, 2015

Sulok (third left) hands over the invitation to Abdul Karim. With them are Johannes (third right) and KDJA committee members.

KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the people should not let a few MPs or assemblymen determine their fate.

In giving his opinions on the hudud law issue, he said the Kelantan and federal government ought to determine if the law would be well accepted or not by the people first.

“If they wanted to change the current law, they should consider doing a referendum because there is a need to see if it will be well accepted or not. If it can’t, then we should stick to the current legal system,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Abdul Karim said there was no need to change the legal system in the country as it was still relevant and good.

Earlier, Abdul Karim received a courtesy call from representatives from Malaysian Liquified Natural Gas (MLNG) and Kuching Division Journalist Association (KDJA) at his office in Wisma Sultan Tengah here.

KDJA wanted to invite Abdul Karim to be the guest-of-honour of the MLNG-KDJA Sports Day on June 13.

BN leaders back Sibu BN Youth Committee

March 23, 2015

SIBU: Several state Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders have praised the formation of the Sibu BN Youth Committee.

It comprises youth wing members from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah welcomed the formation of the committee.

“Definitely it will strengthen BN further in its preparation to win back all lost seats as well as retain all BN seats presently held by BN,” said the PBB supreme council member.

He concurred with opinions that young voters play a key role in deciding the government of the future.

“Young voters make up about more then half of all eligible voters. Their views and expectations cannot be put aside totally. They are a major force; not only in Sarawak but also in other states in Malaysia. They are an educated lot and have a mind of their own.

“They can analyse and rationalise whatever the government and BN are doing as well as the opposition. Yes, I fully agree that those that could get the support of the young voters will win the next state as well as the next 14th general election,” he said.

‘Impending break-up proves PR marriage of convenience’

March 22, 2015

SIBU: The impending break-up of opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in the state has proven that the union was indeed merely a “marriage of convenience”.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the move vindicated Barisan Nasional’s (BN) stance on the issue.

“What BN has claimed since the Sibu by-election and in the last general election, that the three parties in the opposition Pakatan Rakyat are just in a ‘marriage of convenience’ has finally been proven true.

Enforce traffic laws without compromise, agencies told

March 17, 2015

KUCHING: The relevant agencies must be firm when enforcing traffic laws, and not compromise with drivers and motorcyclists without valid licence.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the situation, particularly involving youths and under-aged teenagers, should not be allowed to get out of hand as this would pose danger to their safety as well as those of other road users.

He feared that if the Road Transport Department (JPJ) or the police were not strict in upholding the law, youths would feel free to ride motorcycles or drive vehicles on public roads without having the need for a licence.

Abdul Karim made this comment in the wake of a nationwide police crackdown on teenagers riding without licence, which saw about 4,700 motorcycle owners – mostly parents – being hauled up.

“If many are riding bikes or driving vehicles without licence, I guess the JPJ or the police must have been sleeping on their jobs and not enforcing the laws on this matter.

“We do not want to see the situation getting to an extent where the public get apathy and don’t seem bothered to acquire or renew their licence, or paying for their vehicle’s road tax and insurance because they don’t feel the need due to the non-enforcement of the law.

“I notice that this scenario is happening a lot these days. As a result, the public and other road users are being put at risk,” Abdul Karim told The Borneo Post yesterday.

PBB leaders pour cold water on united government with Pakatan Rakyat

March 17, 2015

SIBU: Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip said all comments by state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, especially on BN, must be taken with a pinch of salt.

Talib said to be fair, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had started on the right footing, and his emphasis on integrity should be lauded and supported.

“Hopefully the opposition, Chong included, should recognise this and support it.

“We have not heard much about opposition support for an integrity based government. But if DAP is seriously sincere, they should give Adenan a chance with their genuine and full support.

“Unity government is good in concept if everyone is sincere. Is DAP sincere? The statements and actions by DAP indicate desire for domination rather than power sharing, a basis for a genuine united government.

“In DAP controlled Penang, PAS and PKR are sidelined. In Selangor the PR is having a lot of problems. So talk by DAP about unity government is just talk,” he said.

Talib was reacting to Chong’s statement on Sunday that Sarawakians could give Adenan a chance, but as Malaysians, they could not afford to give BN another five years to ruin the country as BN had been given 51 years already.

Chong trying to pit me against Abang Johari - Karim

March 16, 2015

SIBU: Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said both his and Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg’s comments on prices of houses after the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) have been taken out of context.

“I am amused by YB Chong’s (Chieng Jen) remark on Datuk Amar Abang Johari’s comment and mine on GST, which he claims to show differences.

“As I have always said before, DAP will find fault in anything you say and even if there’s none, he will create one and distort your comment.

Galeri: Press Conference on Sagrotek Agrotechnology Training Centre

March 13, 2015

Abang Johari (right) examines an artist’s impression of the centre. At left is Saberkas secretary-general Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, who is Pantai Damai assemblyman, while at third left is Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is Asajaya assemblyman.

Happy International Women's Day 2015

Sheda hosts first Home and Property Roadshow 2015

March 7, 2015

Abdul Karim (centre) is seen with Wong (third right) and Ngui (fifth left) holding the ribbon cutting ceremony to officiate the opening of Sheda Home and Property Roadshow 2015 at Boulevard Shopping Mall, Kuching, while Sheda committee and council members look on.

KUCHING: Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) is holding its first Sheda Home and Property Roadshow for 2015 at Boulevard Shopping Mall, Kuching.

The event will be held this weekend from March 6 to 8, 2015 and will be open daily from 10am to 9pm.

Officiating the event yesterday, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Housing Sarawak, said the roadshow is an ideal place for interested parties to view various properties.

He also believed that there is a growing demand for residential properties, given Sarawak’s economy which has spurred a rapid growth of housing estates throughout the state.

On the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) next month, Abdul Karim noted that while the increment in property prices is expected, the hike will likely not be very significant.

Concurring this, Sheda Kuching branch chairman and organising chairman of Sheda Home and Property Roadshow 2015, Dr Christopher Ngui said, “It is reckoned that house prices are on an uptrend due to annual inflation, increasing land prices, labour and building materials costs, rural-urban migration, and population growth.”

“It is notable that there is a vacuum in the affordable homes with the price range of RM150,000 to RM300,000.

Abdul Karim chides Azmin for turning GST into an issue

March 4, 2015

SIBU: Assistant Minister of Youth Development, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah blasted Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali for turning the soon to be implemented Goods and Services Tax (GST) into an issue.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, asserted that GST was not a new tax system.

“It’s been used in more then 160 countries in the world and has been proven to be a fair and good tax system.

“Azmin must have run short of ideas to use the GST as an issue. GST is just replacing an existing Sales and Service Tax (SST) system which imposes higher overall tax then the GST,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He was reacting to Azmin’s statement that PKR’s stand was that there should not be any tax that could burden the people.

Azmin had called for GST to be abolished for the benefit of the needy, including those in Sarawak.

Abdul Karim pointed out it was pointless to create fear among the public by demonising the new tax system.

BN leaders: DAP doesn’t fit in with BN’s agenda to protect S’wak’s rights

March 2, 2015

SIBU: State Barisan Nasional (BN) parties are locally incorporated and their policies are formulated to protect Sarawakians’ rights, which do not fit in with peninsula-based DAP.

According to several state BN leaders, BN’s priority is to serve the people and the coalition does not trust DAP, regardless of the opposition’s agendas.

They were responding to state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s statement that his party would never join BN.