SUKMA: Kunjungan Hormat kepada Kerajaan Sabah

Pembantu Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Mansiung Banah dan Chef De Mission SUKMA Sarawak Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah dalam sesi penyampaian cenderamata di Kota Kinabalu pagi tadi.

Sarawak leaders not happy

June 28, 2016

Sarawak leaders unhappy state loses full minister’s post in new cabinet lineup, accept PM’s prerogative in federal ministerial appointment

KUCHING: The federal cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday is a disappointment for the state, as the minister’s post vacated by Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas was not filled by a Sarawakian.

Uggah, who stepped down as Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister to take up the post as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, said many had expected the replacement for his federal post to come from the state.

“I am very disappointed that no MP from Sarawak was considered to take over my former position. We believe one of our MPs is qualified enough to be appointed. I am speaking on behalf of Pesaka wing in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).”

Uggah, who is PBB senior vice president and still the Betong MP, contested in the last state election in Bukit Saban constituency where he won by 4,599 vote-majority in a straight fight.

He was appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the new state cabinet lineup announced on May 13 and he was also given the portfolio of Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Economy.

Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong who was appointed Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism is the only appointment from Sarawak.

Prior to yesterday’s federal cabinet announcement, speculations were rife that Kapit MP and Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi or Saratok MP Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom would be appointed to take up the post vacated by Uggah.

SUKMA: Kunjungan Hormat kepada Kerajaan Brunei

Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (B) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd. Yussof menyampaikan cenderamata kepada Chef De Mission SUKMA 2016 Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah dalam majlis yang ringkas semalam. Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah dan pegawai-pegawai SUKMA 2016 berada di Brunei untuk membuat kunjungan hormat bagi tujuan mempromosi SUKMA 2016 yang akan diadakan pada penghujung bulan hadapan.

Abdul Karim: Vital to review death penalty legislation to restore judicial discretion

June 24, 2016

KUCHING: It is important for the government to review its death penalty legislation to restore judicial discretion in sentencing, said Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Lauding the move, he believes that sentencing is part of the cardinal principle of judicial independence that should be left to the judges.

He said with their experience in hearing cases, judges would take into account the peculiar facts and circumstances of each case as they make comprehensive consideration when meting out punishment.

He felt that mandatory sentences create an unnecessary fetter on judicial discretion and an unwarranted impediment to the administration of justice.

“I fully agree that the Malaysian Government should have a relook at its death penalty legislation. The area that needs serious consideration for amendment are offences where only one decision is provided, that is the mandatory death penalty.

“In such situation, the presiding judge does not have any other discretion in sentencing except to impose the death penalty. This type of legislation should be reviewed. The presiding judge must be empowered, after hearing the facts of the case, to impose the sentence,” the Asajaya assemblyman told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Abdul Karim was commenting on Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri’s statement that the Attorney-General’s Chamber will prepare a paper on the amendments to the death penalty legislation for submission to the government.

SUKMA: Kunjungan Hormat kepada Kerajaan Selangor

June 22, 2016

EXCO Pembangunan Generasi Muda, Sukan, Kebudayaan & Pembangunan Usahawan Selangor Yang Berhormat Tuan Amirudin Shari menyerahkan cenderamata kepada chef-de-mission (CDM) Sukma Sarawak Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah dalam kunjungan hormat yang dilakukan oleh Kerajaan Sarawak, selaku penganjur SUKMA 2016, keatas Kerajaan Selangor di Shah Alam semalam.

SUKMA: Kunjungan Hormat kepada Kerajaan Perak

June 21, 2016

Exco Sumber Manusia, Belia dan Sukan Perak Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya menerima cenderamata daripada chef-de-mission (CDM) SUKMA Sarawak Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah dalam kunjungan hormat yang dilakukan oleh Kerajaan Sarawak, selaku penganjur SUKMA 2016, keatas Kerajaan Perak di Ipoh semalam.

Galeri: SHDC and DBSB breaking of fast with KDJA

June 19, 2016

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari presenting a donation to KDJA vice president Jacqueline David. Also seen are the Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Public Utilities Assistant Minister (Electric and Communication) Dr Abdul Rahman (fourth left).

Revisit methods of addressing drug menace – Abdul Karim

June 19, 2016

SIBU: Methods to address the menace of drug abuse need to be revisited as such cases continue to rise.

Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he believes the main reason is the lack of strong and committed law enforcement against drug trafficking and abuse.

“We need a revisit on how we should address the drug abuse problem as despite all the stringent laws, drug trafficking and abuse seem to be on the increase,” he told thesundaypost when commenting on the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation’s (MCPF) call for the Ministry of Education to take the worsening drug abuse among students to the cabinet for immediate action.

“Too much money is at stake and I am not surprised, the lack of commitment, enforcement, prosecution and committal of offenders has something to do with that.”

He called on parents and schools to play a bigger role in educating children to shun drugs.

“The war against drug abuse is a long and tough battle and if we lose this war, our future generation will be at stake,” he added.

According to National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) statistics, in 2014 a total of 13,605 new drug addicts were detected, accounting for 62.47 per cent of the total 21,777 addicts in the country, with repeat cases contributing 37.53 per cent or 8,172 cases.

‘KPI will keep BN lawmakers on their toes’

June 18, 2016

KUCHING: The key performance indicator (KPI) introduced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem for ministers and Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers will serve as a reminder for them not to rest on their laurels.

Assistant Housing Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the KPI would ensure that all BN elected representatives – particularly those in the state cabinet – would maintain a high standard of performance and delivery to the people. He deemed the introduction of the performance-based management report a positive move, adding he was sure BN elected representatives would have no problem maintaining standards.

“A good advice and reminder by our chief minister. This will keep the assemblymen and ministers on their toes. However, keep in mind that BN elected representatives have always been dedicated and committed to their constituencies. Nevertheless, the caution is a good reminder for them not to rest on their laurels,” the Asajaya assemblyman told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.

Abdul Karim was commenting on the setting up of performance-based management for all ministries, where all ministers are required to have their own KPIs as stated by Adenan in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) on Wednesday.

All BN lawmakers are also required to have their own KPIs, in which a report must be submitted to Adenan every six months.

Adenan said inept ministers would be dropped from the state cabinet, while non-performing elected representatives would not be nominated to defend their seats in the next state election.

Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the KPI is part of the Adenan administration’s efforts to fulfil BN’s manifesto for the state election.

Congratulation

June 14, 2016

Source

HDC to build 241 units of affordable houses

June 14, 2016

KUCHING: The Housing Development Corporation Ltd (HDC) plans to build 241 units of single storey affordable houses in Kuala Baram.

Assistant Minister for Housing Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said applications for funds have been submitted to the National Housing Department. The plan is to get the project going next year.

He told Dato Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew (BN-Piasau) yesterday that 505 units of low cost houses had been completed in Lambir earlier this year and would be distributed to those eligible soon.

“The selection process for the affordable housing is as follows: applicants must be Malaysians and residents of Sarawak, gross household income (husband and wife) below RM3,000, and married, including widow, widower and single mother.

He said leeway would be given to applicants who are bachelors, aged 30 years and above, and did not have any property.

“The selection of applicants will be offered through the balloting process by the Selection Committee.”

Abdul Karim also said that in 2010, the state government set up the `State Squatter Management and Solving Committee’ and implemented `State Action Plan Management and Squatters Solving’ to address the overall issue of squatters in the state until 2020.

Galeri: Saberkas-Bernas Bubur Lambuk Roadshow

June 12, 2016

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg stirring the pot of bubur lambuk, flanked by Public Utilities Assistant Minister Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (fourth left), Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and others.

Abdul Karim: Hunt for top athletes covers rural areas

June 10, 2016

KUCHING: The government is serious in promoting sports throughout the state, including in rural areas, to produce world-class athletes for the future.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state government would consider building sports facilities and centres of excellence throughout Sarawak but this would depend on the viability and availability of budget to finance such projects.

Due to financial constraints for sports infrastructure development, the Asajaya assemblyman reasoned that the building of such facilities in rural areas would depend on the needs of the local community and whether they would be fully utilised.

“It is the intention of the government to build sports facilities throughout the state especially in small townships like Long Lama. The state is serious in developing more athletes to succeed and taking up sports as a professional career. However, this would depend on the need and suitability of a particular area while taking into account the financial aspect.

“The government always aspires to produce more athletes to excel in sports and represent the country such as the likes of national diving queen Pandelela Rinong,” he said when responding to Dennis Ngau (BN — Telang Usan) during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.

Dennis was asking whether the government had any plan to build a mini stadium at Long Lama, and asked if the state government had any strategic plan to develop sports in rural areas.

He said this would encourage the rural community into taking up sports and successfully pursuing it as a professional career in addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Don’t waste home ground advantage, says Karim

June 9, 2016

KUCHING: Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that Sarawak should not waste the home advantage in realising its goal to be the overall champion for the 18th Sukma (Malaysia Games).

He expressed the hope that athletes representing the state will give their best as this is the best opportunity for Sarawak to be the overall champion.

“The last time we were the champion was in 1994 and we should not let this time get away from us, with the home ground support and advantage and the backing of the State Government and the people of Sarawak,” he said at the sideline of the opening of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday.

He also highlighted certain sports which could help Sarawak to bag gold medals in order to emerge as overall champions.

“Sarawak is not specifically focusing on one or two sports, we are focusing on the overall, but our focus on gold medals will be swimming and wushu,” he explained. “There are some sports that offer two to four medals, and there are some sports offerring up to 30 medals. We will give a lot more focus on sports that offer more medals, to be the overall champion,” said the Asajaya assemblyman.

Sarawak on track for successful 2016 Sukma — Karim

June 7, 2016

Karim with Ong (right), Liew (left) and Kameri during the meeting at a local hotel yesterday.

KUCHING: The new chef-de-mission of the Sarawak Sukma contingent Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah met state team officials for the first time at a local hotel yesterday.

Team officials gave status reports on their preparations for this year’s Sukma.

Karim, who is also Youth and Sports Assistant Minister, believes all preparations by the state to hosting the national games are going well and Sarawak is on track to organise a very successful 2016 Sukma.

“Our meeting was very positive. They gave me details about their preparation for the coming Sukma and after listening to their respective reports, we hope that Sarawak can achieve its targets that the team have set before the games,” he said.

He also reiterated Sarawak’s quest to take advantage of home ground and become overall Sukma champions again.

Karim officially began his duty as chef-de-mission yesterday.

“I only received the letter (of appointment) a few days ago. I hope that under my stewardship, Sarawak will achieve great heights in Sukma,” he added.

SUKMA XVIII: Sarawak diyakini mampu capai sasaran

June 7, 2016

TAKLIMAT: Abdul Karim ketika taklimat bersama pengurus-pengurus pasukan kontinjen SUKMA Sarawak di Kuching semalam.

KUCHING: Sarawak diyakini mampu merealisasikan sasaran pingat emas pada Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) Ke-18 Sarawak 2016.

Menteri Muda Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Abdu Karim Rahman Hamzah berharap agar kontinjen Sarawak dapat mencapai sasaran 72 pingat emas sekali gus menjuarai secara keseluruhan temasya tersebut.

“Sasaran sudah diberi iaitu 72 pingat emas, jadi saya percaya anda boleh melakukan yang lebih baik daripada apa yang disasarkan.

“Itulah yang negeri (Sarawak) mahu lihat , agar kita mampu mencapai sasaran,” katanya semasa menghadiri taklimat persiapan Kontinjen SUKMA 2016 Sarawak ber sama pengurus pasukan di sini semalam.

Dalam perjumpaan tersebut, Abdul Karim berkata ia bertujuan mengetahui perkembangan persiapan pasukan bertanding pada SUKMA 2016.

Beliau yang juga ‘Chef De Mission’ Sarawak baharu menjelaskan pihaknya menerima maklum balas daripada setiap pasukan.

“Menerusi perjumpaan ini kita dapat mengenal pasti isu atau masalah yang dihadapi oleh setiap pasukan.

Salam Ramadhan al-Mubarak

Curb social menace of cheap liquor

June 3, 2016

Abdul Karim urges control of locally brewed alcohol sales, clampdown on moonshiners

SIBU: The government has been urged to curb illegal distilling of alcohol and control the sale of locally brewed liquors as many youths are addicted to the cheap brew.

Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pointed out while the sale of alcoholic beverages will be restricted to people above 21 years old from the current 18, starting Dec 1, 2017, sale of illegal liquors is outside the law and young drinkers prefer cheap brews and alcohol from local distilleries because they more affordable .

“This is the bigger menace faced by our society as many youngsters are now hooked not to the “branded” alcoholic drinks but to cheap locally brewed alcoholic drinks.

“The government has to come down hard on these breweries whether they are licensed or not,” Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Housing Minister told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He asserted only by keeping watch over moonshiners and controlling sales of local liquor would the problem of alcoholism among youth be mitigated

The Asajaya assemblyman was commenting on Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam’s statement that come Dec 1, 2017, the sale of alcoholic beverages would be restricted to people above 21 years of age.

Abdul Karim said it was heartening to hear that the federal government is regulating and restricting the sale of alcoholic drinks to only those 21 years and above instead of 18 yrs as it is now.

PBB man shoots back at PAS ulama chief

June 2, 2016

Abdul Karim Hamzah says Mahfodz needs to widen his knowledge of Islam.

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak’s Assistant Minister of Housing, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has denounced PAS Ulama Council Chairman Mahfodz Mohamed for issuing what he called an “unIslamic” statement that belittled Sarawak Muslims.

The PBB strongman told FMT that Mahfodz needed to widen his knowledge of Islam. He was reacting to a news report in which Mahfodz was quoted as saying that Sarawak Muslims were not practising the true Islamic way of life.

Karim said it was wrong for Mahfodz to say that Sarawak Muslims were ignorant just because they did not support PAS.

He accused PAS of holding to a false interpretation of Islam, recalling that the party once attached the “infidel” label to Malays who supported Umno.

“Mahfodz himself is not guaranteed a place in heaven,” he said. “Yet he has accused his fellow Muslims of not living an Islamic way of life.”

Karim said Sarawak probably had the most organised bait ul-mal (Islamic treasury) and mosque management in the country.

“We don’t need PAS to tell Sarawak Muslims how to do things,” he said. “We just want to tell the party that God despises those who want to create disunity in the Muslim community.”