Abd Karim: State BN committed to protect Sarawak’s land rights

September 29, 2016

SIBU: Sarawak BN is committed to protect the state’s land rights; hence, all federal projects involving land were vetted accordingly before approvals were given.

Citing the ‘Rumah Mesra’ scheme by Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) as an example, Assistant Minister for Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the project was slightly delayed because the state government objected to native land for affordable housing being charged to the Federal Land Commissioner.

“SPNB had to accept Sarawak’s proposal for the land status being maintained and not charged to a federal agency,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday in response to a statement by Pending assemblyman Violet Yong recently.

“This shows how committed Sarawak BN government is towards preserving state rights.”

Yong had called on the government to ensure the state’s land rights were not eroded by the 1Malaysia People’s Housing (PR1MA) programme.

She said PR1MA was a federal initiative, but it involved using state land.

In thanking Yong for her concern, Abdul Karim said in the case of PR1MA, approvals had to go through the State Planning Authority (SPA); therefore, there is no question of the state’s rights being infringed.

Stay alive in the saddle, Karim reminds big bikers

September 25, 2016

FOR THE MEMOIR

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Value life and ride safe when you are on the road, Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah said in a heartfelt reminder to big bikers.

“As a big biker myself I have seen many friends and bikers perish on the road due to negligence,” he said before officiating at the 5th Samarahan Bike Fest 2016 in the vicinity of Aiman Mall in Kota Samarahan yesterday.

“It is a painful experience having to deal with your own friends when they perish on the road. I do not want you to experience the same thing like I had,” he said.

He said it was always better to ride with care rather than to show off especially when riding a big machine as one never knows when disaster would strike.

“You may have a big and expensive bike but you are still small when you are on the road. Even a collision with the smallest vehicle can be fatal,” he added.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister for Housing, said losing an expensive machine was one thing but losing a life was a different matter altogether. The emotional impact was greater.

He was impressed that there were more people with big bikes now and once the Pan Borneo Highway was completed the number would probably soar.

Hakka contribution to state lauded, Yong Tau Foo included

September 25, 2016

KUCHING: The Hakka community and the Chinese as a whole in the nation is renowned for their resilience and hardworking attitude, said Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah.

He added that since leaving mainland China many years ago, Malaysian Hakka Chinese have had a very rich history as they left their mark in the country.

“Today, your legacy prevails in the form of your famous ‘Yong Tau Foo’ dish to the development on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia through pioneering the tin mining industry and even in Sarawak, where many lived and thrived in the first division,” he said at the Sarawak Hakka Community Association 82nd Anniversary Dinner at Chung Hua Middle School No 3 on Friday night.

“Through hardship and economic severance, the Hakka people had to be very independent before uniting as a close knitted community.”

Abdul Karim, who is also the Assistant Minister for Housing, praised the Hakka community for their emphasis in prioritising education.

“This has contributed to what our state is today. In rural areas, many Chinese schools are attended by other races and this has helped to develop a harmonious bond among one another,” he elaborated.

Karim later announced an allocation of RM20,000 in government funds to the association to carry out their activities.

Galeri: Camp United 2016 programme

September 24, 2016

Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud receiving a souvenir from Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak general manager Datu Aloysius Dris. At right is Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

‘Monitor proposed home loan scheme’

September 17, 2016

SIBU: The proposed scheme to allow housing developers to offer home loans must be regulated and monitored by the government.

In making the call, Assistant Minister for Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this would prevent developers charging exorbitant interest on loans and resorting to ‘strong arm tactics’ in loan recovery.

He said anything that could facilitate house buyers especially from the low to middle income categories to own a house was much welcomed.

“If granting developers moneylending licence could help solve problems of purchasers getting financing, it is much welcomed. But the government must ensure the scheme does not cause added burden on purchasers. Interest rates must be competitive with banks and there must be a proper procedure for recovery of loans in the event of default.

“We do not want developers to charge exorbitant interest on loan and use strong arm tactics in loan recovery.

The scheme must be properly regulated and strictly monitored by the government,” Abdul Karim said when contacted yesterday.

He was commenting on a Bernama report recently that the Cabinet had instructed the Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government to review and improve the home financing policy stated under the Moneylenders Act 1951 for house purchase.

Al-Fatihah untuk Allahyarham Datuk Dr. Haron Din

Sumber

Selamat Menyambut Hari Malaysia 2016

Karim surprised with Chong's ignorance

September 15, 2016

KUCHING: State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen is urged to go through matters contained in the Federal List, State List and Concurrent List prior to making any statement that would eventually expose his ignorance and lack of knowledge on federal-state relationship.

Assistant Minister for Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this in rebutting Chong’s claims that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s talk on autonomy for education was merely hot air and more of paying lip service rather than taking real action on matters regarding the development of English education.

He said he was surprised that Chong, as an MP, was unaware that education was contained in the Federal List of the Malaysian Constitution.

“Any change in policy or request by Sarawak or Sabah on the subject has to be referred to the federal government. It is on that matter that the chief minister has mentioned that he wished to apply to the federal government for approval of more private English-medium schools in Sarawak knowing fully well that the approving authority is in Kuala Lumpur,” he said in a statement received here yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, reiterated that this had nothing to do with ‘paying lip service’ as alleged by Chong or that the state Barisan Nasional (BN) was merely spinning stories and creating false hope.

“At the very least, the federal government would lend an ear if the request comes from the chief minister or the state BN. If ever Chong or DAP Sarawak were to knock on the federal government’s door, it will never be opened.”

He also said Chong’s latest outburst showed a sign of desperation from the state DAP leader to undermine Adenan’s efforts as well as to seek cheap publicity.

You’re ignorant, PBB man tells DAP’s Chong

September 14, 2016

Abdul Karim Hamzah denies that CM Adenan was only playing to the gallery when he asked for federal approval for more English schools.

PETALING JAYA: A senior PBB leader has accused Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen of ignorance on matters pertaining to the country’s education policy.

Speaking to FMT, Abdul Karim Hamzah rebuked Chong for suggesting that Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem was merely playing to the gallery when he asked the Federal Government to approve more private English-medium schools.

Yesterday, Chong said Adenan’s government needed to act to prove that its pledges to the Sarawak public were not mere rhetoric.

Karim, who is Sarawak’s Assistant Minister of Housing, said he was surprised that Chong, as a Member of Parliament, was unaware that education was in the Federal List of the Federal Constitution. “Any change in policy or request by the state of Sabah or Sarawak pertaining to education has to be referred to Putrajaya.”

Karim said Chong had displayed “utter ignorance” with his suggestion that the Sarawak Cabinet could easily give approval for the schools.

He denied that Adenan was “just paying lip service” or that Sarawak Barisan Nasional was “creating false hope” as alleged by Chong.

He said Putrajaya would “at the very least” consider the request because it came from Adenan and Sarawak BN.

Arus pembangunan bantu pergiatkan ibadah Qurban

September 13, 2016

Sebahagian daripada penerima dan wakil kumpulan penerima daging kurban yang menghadiri majlis diperkarangan Pejabat Daerah Asajaya

ASAJAYA: Arus pembangunan yang melanda kawasan Asajaya telah banyak membawa nikmat dan faedah kepada masyarakat tempatan termasuk aspek perlaksanaan ibadah Qurban.

Menurut wakil rakyat Asajaya Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, di tahun-tahun 70-an, amat jarang sekali ibadah Qurban akan dilaksanakan secara berterusan dari tahun ke tahun di suatu tempat.

Beliau berkata ini disebabkan pada ketika itu keadaan ekonomi tidak mengizinkan ramai individu untuk berbuat sedemikian.

"Pada ketika ini ramai anggota masyarakat yang mahu memberi sumbangan untuk melaksanakan ibadah Qurban.

"Ini disebabkan keadaan ekonomi masa kini yang lebih baik daripada masa dahulu," katanya ketika berucap di Majlis Pengagihan Daging Qurban di Kampung Asajaya Laut petang tadi.

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menyampaikan daging korban di Kampung Asajaya Laut.

Beliau seterusnya menjangka lebih ramai anggota masyarakat yang akan menghulur sumbangan untuk ibadah Qurban di masa hadapan.

Abdul Karim, yang juga merupakan Menteri Muda Belia dan Sukan, menegaskan pengertian korban bukan sahaja merujuk kepada ibadah Qurban yang dilakukan oleh masyarakat Islam setiap tahun.

Gov should stick to the current practice of controlling house prices for the poor

September 12, 2016

KUCHING: The government should stick to its current practices of controlling prices of houses which are meant to the poor and middle income group.

This was the opinion of the State assistant minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when asked to comment by a local English daily on the disclosure that the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry would review the National Housing Policy, which will end next year.

“Personally, I think the government should just control prices of houses that are meant for sale to the poor and middle income group and don’t let speculators and developers determine the prices.

“This way, the low and middle income category can have the opportunity to own houses.

If we were to let developers, speculators and market forces to determine the prices, we can come to a situation where unscrupulous speculators will ‘control’ the housing market and its prices," said Abdul Karim.

The Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar, reportedly said he had asked his ministry to look into ways that would enable the government to control the prices of homes to be included in the policy so that people from the low and middle-income bracket could own property.

Abdul Karim also expressed his perplexity on the statement because as it is, the government was already ‘controlling’ the prices of affordable housing built by government agencies or the private sector.

Selamat Hari Raya Haji Aidiladha 2016

No ruling yet on mosquito traps, says Abdul Karim

September 10, 2016

SIBU: Despite the detection of Zika virus in the country, the state Housing Ministry has not made any ruling on the requirement to install mosquito traps on all new housing projects.

Assistant Minister for Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak Housing Ministry would wait and see on the extent of the virus before making a stand.

He said this following disclosure by Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Tan Sri Noh Omar that developers were now required to install mosquito traps at all new housing projects following the detection of Zika cases in the country.

Noh Omar reportedly said the requirement must be met before any new developer’s licence was approved.

“We know that any new ‘additional installation’ on houses will mean an additional cost to developers and end users and this will not help the housing industry.

“We understand the danger posed by Zika virus but putting up netting to houses is just one of the preventive measures for one not to be bitten by mosquitoes but not a permanent solution,” said Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports.

He said the federal ministry also needed to look at other ways to prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.

‘Study scheme to give out housing loans’

September 9, 2016

KUCHING: The government’s move in allowing developers to provide housing loan facilities may just be the right solution for property buyers facing difficulties in securing bank loans.

Assistant Housing Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who expressed this view, noted that house buyers nowadays were facing difficulties in securing loans from end financiers or banks to finance their house purchase.

“This is an interesting new development from the Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government (Tan Sri Noh Omar) which is unprecedented but I believe we cannot rush through this new scheme without going through the finer details of it,” said Abdul Karim yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Youth and Sports Minister, was commenting on Noh’s announcement yesterday that eligible developers can now apply for moneylender licences to provide loan facilities of up to 100 per cent to property buyers.

Noh said his ministry, which would be issuing the licence under Money Lending Act 1951 (Amendment) 2011), will allow developers to provide housing loans to overcome difficulties faced by buyers in securing bank loans.

Despite being open about the government’s move, Abdul Karim feared that it might be a handful for developers if they were expected to be ‘bankers’ at the same time.

Sports associations need 'spring cleaning' to get rid of sports politics

September 6, 2016 

Asistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah wants to tackle sports politics heads on before it causes further damages to sports.

He claimed some sports associations had too much politics to the extent smothering the growth of sports which they were representing.'

“So this time round, we need to do a lot of 'spring cleaning' to make sure the associations are good and the centre(s) of excellence...(are) in the right place," he quoted by a local English daily.

The assistant minister was delivering his speech at the closing of the Sibu Open Track & Field Championship at Stadium Tun Zaidi in Sibu last Sunday.

He also said: "We also do not want to have athletes who are not supposed to be representing but were chosen over the better ones, whether it is in swimming, athletics or in any other sports.

This is why it is important for us to really focus in preparing ourselves in whatever tournament we are focusing if we want to cement our reputation as sport powerhouse.”

Abdul Karim also admitted that he was actually very disappointed that Sarawak failed to clinch the SUKMA overall title this year.

State BN always ready for election

September 6, 2016 

PBB is always ready for an election, says its Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“In fact, PBB machinery has always been actively running activities on the ground, irrespective of whether there’s an election coming or not,” said Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, to a local English daily.

He was commenting on a Bernama report that quoted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as urging BN components to gear up for GE14.

Meanwhile the PBB Secretary General Datuk Dr Stepten Rundi Utom also concurred with Zahid that Barisan Nasional should "make early preparations" for the general election.

He pointed out the present parliamentary term expires in 2018 which is about two years from now.

However, the Secretary General was confident that PBB had no problem to get ready for the GE as the party's election machinery was still intact and fresh from the recent state election.

SPDP revealed that it was heeding Ahmad Zahid’s call and actually had been making preparations.

Semoga mendapat keputusan cemerlang dalam UPSR 2016

Politiking musnahkan Sarawak jadi kuasa sukan

September 04, 2016

POLITIKING dalaman persatuan sukan menyebabkan Sarawak gagal menjadi juara keseluruhan Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) ke-18 yang dianjurkan negeri itu dari 20 hingga 30 Julai lepas.

Sehubungan itu, Menteri Muda Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, proses 'pembersihan' perlu dilakukan untuk membolehkan Sarawak menjadi kuasa sukan di negara ini pada masa hadapan.

"Kita harus melakukan 'pembersihan' ini untuk memastikan persatuan sukan dalam keadaan baik, menentukan pusat kecemerlangan berada di tempat yang betul dan atlet yang benar-benar layak mewakili negeri," katanya.

Abdul Karim berkata demikian ketika menutup Kejohanan Trek dan Padang Terbuka Sibu yang dianjurkan Persatuan Olahraga Bahagian Sibu di Stadium Tun Zaidi di sini hari ini.

Beliau membayangkan proses 'pembersihan' itu dilakukan secepat mungkin kerana Sarawak menyasarkan menjadi juara keseluruhan pada Sukma ke-19 di Perak pada 2018.

Galeri: Presentation of SUKMA incentives ceremony

Chief Minister Adenan and Jamilah (centre), with the Sukma contingent during last night’s presentation ceremony, with alongside Jerip (partially hidden), SSC chief Dr Ong Kong Swee, Abdul Karim, Fadillah (behind), Manyin, Masing and Asfia. Nerosha (file pic below) led the bowling team for the biggest incentive winner. — Photo by Chimon Upon

Semoga mendapat haji yang mabrur

New department to manage Sukma sports facilities

September 2, 2016

KUCHING: A new department will be formed to manage sports facilities built for the recent Sukma. 

Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the new department would ensure all the sports facilities are properly maintained. 

He said the government would work with the respective sports associations. 

"For example, if the sports venue and facilities are for badminton, then we want a badminton association to manage it as it will know best how to do that,” he told reporters when sending off 150 Haj pilgrims on Wednesday. 

Abdul Karim said Sarawak will be able to produce many sporting champions in the near future, judging from the very good results at school-level over the last 15 years. 

“Our school athletes have proven that they can excel in sports they compete in and, because of this, I am confident we can produce athletes of calibre and be the sports powerhouse,” he said. 

Abdul Karim said the way forward for these athletes to excel is to get professional guidance and training from sports associations. 

Jabatan baharu ditubuh urus fasiliti SUKMA

September 2, 2016

SELAMAT BERANGKAT: Karim bersalaman dengan para jemaah haji lelaki yang berlepas ke Jeddah malam kelmarin.

Ia akan memastikan segala kemudahan sukan dapat diselenggara, diguna pelbagai pihak: Karim

KUCHING: Kementerian Belia, Sukan dan Solidariti akan menubuhkan sebuah jabatan baharu bagi memastikan setiap fasiliti sukan yang digunakan pada temasya Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) Sarawak 2016 lalu dapat diuruskan dengan baik tanpa sebarang masalah.

Menteri Muda Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata jabatan itu berperanan memastikan segala kemudahan sukan dapat diselenggara dan digunakan oleh pelbagai pihak.

“Kita tidak mahu gelanggang sukan sedia ada menjadi ‘gajah putih’ tanpa diuruskan dengan baik.

“Malah ia dapat digunakan oleh semua pihak tanpa ada unsur birokrasi,” katanya ketika ditemui selepas menghadiri majlis menghantar kumpulan jemaah haji terakhir berangkat ke Madinah di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuching, malam kelmarin.

Mengulas lanjut, katanya ia akan membabitkan usaha sama antara agensi kerajaan dan persatuan sukan.

Menerusi strategi itu, jelasnya pelantikan persatuan tertentu dalam pelaksanaan mekanisme baharu itu adalah tepat kerana mereka terlibat secara langsung dalam sukan.

Menurutnya, kerajaan negeri telah membelanjakan lebih RM400 juta bagi projek membina dan menaik taraf fasiliti sukan di negeri ini untuk digunakan pada penganjuran SUKMA lepas.

Think like a Malaysian, DAP’s Chong told

September 1, 2016

PBB Supreme Council member takes Sarawak DAP chief to task for asking state government to not celebrate August 31.

PETALING JAYA: A PBB leader has slammed DAP’s Chong Chieng Jen as being petty and narrow-minded for having recently called for the Sarawak Government not to celebrate Merdeka Day on August 31.

PBB Supreme Council member Abdul Karim Hamzah told FMT that Chong, as a parliamentarian and lawyer, should know the history of Malaysia’s formation, and understand his role in uniting Malaysians.

He was responding to the Sarawak DAP chief’s statement that Sarawakian taxpayer money should not be wasted on celebrating August 31 in the state as the date had no historical significance compared with July 22, when Sarawak achieved self-governance.

Karim said there was no denying that many were confused with the various dates pertaining to the independence of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the formation of Malaysia.

However, rather than trying to cause a rift among Malaysians by asking the State Government to not celebrate August 31, Chong should be explaining the history of Malaysia’s formation.

Karim, who is the state assistant minister of housing said the nation’s founding fathers had agreed to August 31 being Independence Day.