Stadium, stars on track for Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open — Karim

March 31, 2017

Karim (squatting at second left) with Aziz (second right) checking out the floor while (from left, standing) Wahap and Kameri and others look on at Sarawak Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya yesterday.

KUCHING: Sarawak is all set to welcome top players in the world like Datuk Lee Chong Wei, China’s Lin Dan and Chen Long to the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open badminton championships to be held at the Sarawak Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya from April 4-9.

“All preparations have gone smoothly except for a few finishing touches,” Assistant Minister of Youth, Sports and Solidarity Datuk Rahman Hamzah said after inspecting the facilities and venue at Sarawak Indoor Stadium yesterday.

Accompanying him were permanent secretary to the ministry Kameri Affandi, Kuching City North Commission mayor Datuk Abdul Wahap Abang Julai and Sarawak BA president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain. 

According to Karim, both Lee and Lin Dan have skipped the Indian Open to prepare for the Malaysian Open so fans can expect a showdown here.

“All top 10 seeded players (men’s and women’s) are coming to this prestigious event. 

Karim: Need to revisit effectiveness of anti-drug strategies

March 28, 2017

SIBU: The increasing number of drug addicts in the country has prompted calls to revisit the effectiveness of existing strategies, programmes and activities to curtail drug abuse.

According to National Anti-Drugs Agency’s (AADK) statistics, 22,643 new addicts were detected in the country last year compared to 20,289 new addicts detected in 2015.

In 2014, there were 13,605 new addicts detected nationwide.

“Based on statistics, the number of drug addicts in the country seems to be on the rise and this is bad news.

“I do believe there is a need for a revisit on the effectiveness of existing strategies, programmes, activities and especially enforcement in our fight against drug abuse,” Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Abdul Karim: Wiping out drug menace should be concern of all

March 24, 2017

SIBU: Eradicating the drug menace requires the concerted efforts of everyone in society, Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.

Stating that drug abuse is not associated with a particular race or age group, he also said the menace affects all strata of society and not only those in the urban areas.

“It should not be left entirely to the relevant enforcement agencies, schools or non-governmental organisations (NGOs),” he emphasised.

Abdul Karim is the state chairman of National Association for the Prevention of Drugs (Pemadam).

Stampin MP Julian Tan recently called for the police to address cases of drug-related activities in schools, claiming that there were increasing drug cases infiltrating schools and involving students.

Govt to consider land application for wushu centre

March 21, 2017

Karim (seventh left), WFS president Allen Wong (eighth left), WFS deputy president James Ting (sixth left), MSNS wushu coordinator Thomas Chia (third right), Sarawak athletes and officials gesture during the flag presentation at Karim’s office at Bangunan Perumahan yesterday.

KUCHING: The State government will be looking into the application by Wushu Federation of Sarawak (WFS) for a piece of land to build its wushu centre.

Youth, Sports and Solidarity assistant minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pledged that he will try his best to help in this matter.

“I have been to the state elite training centre last year and it is in a pathetic state. Wushu really needs a proper training ground,” he said when receiving a courtesy call from WFS president Allen Wong and officials, state athletes and team officials for the Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) Wushu Championship to be held in Kuala Lumpur from Mar 24-26.

The wushu athletes currently train at the Kota Sentosa Sports Centre. 

Athletes can be easily distracted as their training ground is adjacent to the futsal courts.

Abdul Karim foresees Pakatan Harapan Sarawak breaking up soon

March 21, 2017

SIBU: It is just a matter of time before members of the newly formed Pakatan Harapan Sarawak scramble for seats and fight each other as they have different agendas and goals.

Hence, whether it is Pakatan Rakyat or Pakatan Harapan or Pakatan with or without PAS or Pakatan with or without Amanah makes no difference to Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) or the people of Sarawak, said Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“It is just a loose pact of political parties which have separate agendas and goals in their struggle. 

This loose pact is just meant for the 14th general election…unlike BN, where the coalition is permanent and having a common BN struggle for the people’s wellbeing and the nation.

“Pakatan pact can be easily summarised as a pack of political parties sleeping together but having different dreams. 

Karim working on soil erosion solution

March 21, 2017

Abdul Karim (left) seen at the Kampung Beliong jetty yesterday with local officials and villagers.

ASAJAYA: Villagers of Kampung Beliong here can breathe a sigh of relief now that their assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has revealed that he is working to solve the soil erosion issue plaguing the village.

Speaking to The Borneo Post at the Kampung Beliong jetty yesterday, he said he is looking to take immediate action to prevent the banks of the Samarahan River at the village from further eroding.

“This is because the problem needs urgent attention and action as it is posing a serious threat to the public, especially those who live near the river banks.

“The purpose of my visit today is to see the condition of the river banks here at Kampung Beliong myself. 

I hope to solve the problem as soon as possible,” he added.

Over 20 teams at 4th edition of Samarahan Bike Challenge

March 20, 2017

Elite category winners having a group photo with Karim after the prize presentation ceremony.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Local and foreign cyclists from more than 20 teams competed in Samarahan Bike Challenge 2017 which started and ended at Summer Mall in Jalan Datuk Mohd Musa here yesterday.

They raced in the men’s elite 42 km criterium, veteran all star 36 km criterium, Sarawak Closed 42km criterium, Junior men’s 30km criterium, and women’s 30km criterium.

Themed ‘The Road Warrior,’ the fourth edition of the event was organised by DTTG Samarahan, Samarahan District Office and Sarawak Bicycle Association.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah felt the event deserves support as cycling is one of the core sports competed in Sukma. 

Apart from grooming new talents, organisers also aim to promote Kota Samarahan as a sport tourism destination and a destination in criterium bike events (closed circuit).

PBB man sees paranoia in Sarawak DAP chief

March 19, 2017

PETALING JAYA: A PBB official has dismissed Sarawak DAP leader Chong Chieng Jen’s recent remark about religious teachers as the ranting of a person showing signs of paranoia.

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, a member of the Sarawak ruling party’s supreme council, said Chong was generalising when he claimed that religious teachers from Peninsular Malaysia would change the thinking of Muslims in the state.

In a statement he released on Friday, Chong called for a halt in the import of Islamic religious teachers from Peninsular Malaysia, saying he feared that they would influence local Muslims to adopt their ways of thinking and living.

Speaking to FMT, Abdul Karim acknowledged that Sarawak Muslims were more liberal than their counterparts on the peninsula, but he said Islamic teachings were the same everywhere in Malaysia and only paranoia could have caused Chong to think otherwise.

He said the sensitive matter of religion was seldom used in political discourse in Sarawak and it wasn’t right for Chong to do so.

Lima bahagian Sarawak dipilih lokasi Larian Obor Sukan SEA

May 18, 2017

LARIAN OBOR: Karim (tengah) mempengerusikan sidang media bersama Snowdan (kiri) dan Abdul Haris di Bangunan Baitulmakmur semalam.

KUCHING: Sebanyak lima bahagian negeri ini dipilih sebagai lokasi Larian Obor Sukan SEA Ke-29 dan Sukan Para Asean Ke-9 2017 Peringkat Negeri Sarawak yang akan bermula dari 8 hingga 13 Jun.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata acara ikonik itu akan bermula dari utara negeri iaitu di Lawas, Limbang pada 8 Jun melibatkan larian sejauh 7km.

Ia kemudian diterbangkan ke Mulu, Miri pada 10 Jun melibatkan larian sejauh 5km dan diteruskan keesokan harinya (11 Jun) di Sekuau, Sibu sejauh 8km.

Galeri: Press Conference on Sukan Sarawak

March 18, 2017

Sports Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong (right) and his assistant minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (left) unveiling the SukSar logo at a press conference in Kuching yesterday. -The Borneo Post

Enforcement against drug offences in Limbang gets thumbs-up from Abdul Karim

March 18, 2017

KUCHING: An assistant minister has commended enforcement agencies in Limbang for taking firm steps in tackling the drug menace in the division.

According to Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, people from both political divides have been ‘barking’ about the drug problem in the division for years, but there has always been a lukewarm response stating that there is no serious problem.

“I’m glad that the enforcement agencies are finally making drug arrests in Limbang. 

Both sides of the political divide have been ‘barking’ about this (drug problem) for many years, but the response has always been lukewarm; that there was no serious problem of drugs there. 

Now it seems that it’s not so,” said Abdul Karim – also the state chairman of National Association for the Prevention of Drugs (Pemadam) – when contacted yesterday.

Sarawak eye maiden win in women’s football Cup

March 17, 2017

KUCHING: Sarawak’s women footballers will capitalise on homeground advantage to try lift the 30th Tun Sharifah Rodziah Cup when 12 teams in the country converge on Miri to vie for the crown.

With lucrative cash prizes of RM20,000, RM10,000 and RM5,000 for the top three teams, this is the first time that the tournament – from April 8-18 – will be hosted in Sarawak.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has assured the organisers of state support through his ministry to ensure smooth sailing of the national-scale event.

It would promote greater interest of women football here whereby, Sarawak has been among a fierce contender in the tournament with a consistent track record in finishing their campaigns at the semifinal stage.

He noted that with various large scale tournaments held here, this would cultivate interest for athletes to participate in sports regardless of whether it is a well known sport or a least favourable one.

Excitement mounts for Malaysia Open Badminton C’ship

March 16, 2017

Karim speaking during yesterday’s press conference. From left are Hadi, Dr Ong and Chew.

KUCHING: With less than three weeks to go the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2017 Badminton Championship has received an overwhelming response from the country and around the world as tickets to the semi-finals and finals have been sold out.

Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, however, assured that a quota of 500 tickets will still be sold at the venue – State Stadium, Kuching – during the competition from April 4-9.

“This is the kind of response we have received from all over the world, we will have a lot of players, supporters and fans from all over the world coming here for the championship,” he told a press conference yesterday.

He also noted that authorised tickets agents, who will be selling tickets until March 20, have reported that the tickets are selling like hot cakes.

Authorised tickets agents are LEA Sports Centre retail outlets in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri, and World Sports Equipments Sdn Bhd, TN Sports, Thumb’s Up Badminton Academy and Pro Wira Badminton in Sibu.

Abdul Karim raps Chong for unwarranted comment on Islam

March 14, 2017

KUCHING: PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has asked state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen to do a little research before commenting on Islam and Islamic teaching in Sarawak.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Housing, was lambasting Chong over his statement that the 433 Peninsular Malaysian Islamic religious teachers to be brought in to teach in Sarawak would be bringing in their version of Islamic teaching and indoctrinate children in the state with the Umno-version of Islamic teaching and further cause racial segregation.

“Before commenting on Islam and Islamic teaching in Sarawak, it is better for Chong to do a little research on what Islam is. 

Karim wants DAP and Chong do homework

March 14, 2017

KUCHING: PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told DAP and its State Chairman Chong Chieng Jen to do some homework first before saying that the Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg’s warning to all state BN assemblypersons as a mere rhetoric.

He said yesterday the opposition was just good in making noises, which was why voters knew they were not capable of solving their problems.

“We have seen many elections in Sarawak. The fact that in every election contested, the voters voted for BN shows that the people are happy with BN and the candidates that BN placed in those constituencies. 

Galeri: Launching of PPA1M Melia Residences @ Parkcity Eastwood

March 14, 2017

(from Left) Samling Group CEO Datuk Seri Yaw Chee Ming, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Gani,  Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa, Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and others applaud as Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg launches the PPA1M Melia Residences @ Parkcity.

No such thing as Umno's version of Islam, Karim tells DAP's Chong

March 13, 2017

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (right) lashed out at Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen for claiming that Peninsular Malaysia religious teachers will promote Umno's version of Islamic teachings among children in Sarawak. File pix by NADIM BOKHARI.

KUCHING: A Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu supreme council member has slammed Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen for calling on the state government to stop taking Islamic religious teachers from Peninsular Malaysia to teach in the state.

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Chong was being insensitive in claiming that Peninsular Malaysia religious teachers will promote Umno's version of Islamic teachings among children in Sarawak.

Karim, who is also the Assistant State Youth and Sports Minister, said such paranoid outlook only exist in Chong's mind and among Sarawak DAP leaders.

“There is no such thing as Umno's version of Islamic teaching as he had claimed.

“Islam is universal and the teaching is the same. Chong should not have touched on sensitive matters such as religion.

Sarawak youths reject radicalism — Abdul Karim

March 12, 2017

SIBU: While the involvement of youth in radicalism in Malaysia is quite worrisome, Sarawak remains the only state with zero involvement, said Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said no youths in Sarawak involved in radicalism.

In this regard, Abdul Karim reckoned this was also an interesting finding which Putra Jaya should not just brush aside.

Recently, Bernama quoted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying in a statement that the involvement of youths in radicalism currently was rather worrisome, where 80 per cent of the arrests the police had made as of Sept 20 last year involved those under the age of 40.

Ahmad Zahid was quoted as saying a comprehensive study conducted by the Malaysian Institute for Research in Youth Development had identified the tendency of youth being involved and their support for militant activities by the Daesh (ISIS) group.

DAP’s rhetoric just to win votes, say state BN leaders

March 7, 2017

KUCHING: It is easy for DAP to ‘dangle carrots or promise the sky’ to Sarawak and Sabah with pledges like returning 50 per cent of taxes from the two states if it comes to federal power, said PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

However, Abdul Karim said the question that needs to be answered is whether DAP can win and form the government with the number of seats it is contesting.

Abdul Karim was commenting on the announcement by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng that the party will return 50 per cent of taxes collected from the two states if it comes to federal power.

Besides that, Lim said DAP would ensure that the two states get 20 per cent oil royalty and the states would have full autonomy in healthcare and education.

“Sabah and Sarawak are not fools to be toyed around with ‘sugar coated’ promises when we know Lim Guan Eng cannot speak for and on behalf of the whole Pakatan Harapan, and DAP on its own would never be able to form a government.

Setting an international stage

March 03, 2017

KUCHING: Sarawak will be hosting the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2017 championship, a World Badminton Super Series, from April 4 to 9 at Stadium Perpaduan Sarawak.

About 350 athletes from 20 countries, namely Malaysia, China, Taiwan, India, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Denmark, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Egypt, Germany, Bulgaria, Russia, France, Spain, United States, Hong Kong and England will be in Kuching for the championship.

As the hosting country, Malaysia will see 46 players participating, followed by China with 40 players. Indonesia is the largest contingent with 53 players competing in the tournament.

Sarawak Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (pic) said the international event will be the biggest tournament ever hosted by Sarawak.

“This is one of the World Super series, second in line in terms of tournament ranking. The top-ranking tournaments are the Olympics and the world championship,” he said at a press conference in Stadium Negeri.

Sarawak to host Malaysian Open for veteran athletes

March 2, 2017

Karim (fifth right) showing a sample of the bidding booklet for the 21st Asia Masters Athletic Championship while Dr Ong (second left), S Sivapragasam (third right) and others look on.

KUCHING: Sarawak will host the 31st Malaysia International Open Masters Athletics Championship at the Sarawak Stadium, Petra Jaya from July 22-23.

Assistant Minister for Youth, Sports and Solidarity Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this is the first time that Sarawak is hosting this event which is one of the highlights in the Malaysian Masters Athletes Association (MMAA) calendar.

Some 600 athletes aged 35 and above from 12 countries will be competing.

“This year’s event would also attract entries from all over the world and since Sarawak is the biggest state in Malaysia, the Youth and Sports Ministry will work together with the State government to ensure that the event would run very smoothly while showcasing Sarawak’s culture and heritage during the championship.

“This is very good for Malaysia and Sarawak, especially for the state’s tourism industry. Whereby, athletes who are participating may come with their families and friends as well as their coaching team,” he told a press conference at Stadium Negeri on Tuesday.

Pandelela Aquatic Centre open for public recreation

March 2, 2017

Abdul Karim (second left) and other guests giving the thumbs up for the aquatic centre.

KUCHING: The Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre is now open to the public. 

It was officially opened by Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

He said it is the first water theme park in Sarawak, albeit a mini one, which can be utilised by families for recreational activities.

Abdul Karim has doubts on proposed Anti-Social Behaviour Act

March 1, 2017

SIBU: The proposed Anti-Social Behaviour Act, if it aims at curtailing loitering by random arrests, might not serve to groom the youths into good citizens, Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah opined.

He said he would prefer a more flexible and soft approach of engaging the youth in sports and community-related activities.

This is because in that way, they could integrate with society and be groomed into patriotic and forward-looking citizens, he explained.

Abdul Karim was commenting on Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed’s statement that the ministry would study the possibility of introducing laws relating to anti-social behaviour, which among others, could control behaviours of minors in public places.

Nur Jazlan had reportedly said it was still at the proposal stage and the existing laws had no provision that allowed action to be taken against anti-social behaviours.

Chong Wei, Lin Dan showdown in Kuching?

March 1, 2017

(From left to right) Chew, Mohamed Al Amin, Abdul Karim, Abdul Aziz and others displaying the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2017 banner yesterday.

KUCHING: The clash of badminton titans Malaysia’s Datuk Lee Chong Wei and China’s Lin Dan is a distinct possibility in the Celcom Axiata Malaysian Open to be held in Sarawak Stadium, Kuching from April 4-9.

The tournament is a top tier World Super Series event in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) calendar

The US$600,000 total prize money is expected to attract top 10 players in the world including Malaysia’s crack doubles and mixed doubles pairs of Tan Wee Kiong-Goh V Shem and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying.

“We thank Badminton Association Malaysia (BAM) and BWF for giving Sarawak the opportunity to host this prestigious event … We hope no one has pre-match injuries and the top seeds will not miss the game,” said Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at a press conference here yesterday.

A total of 351 players from Malaysia (46 players), Denmark (24), Korea (17), China (40), Hong Kong (16), Chinese Taipei (37), Germany (3), Thailand (20), England (11), Indonesia (53), India (32), France (1), Japan (24), Spain (1), USA (1), Singapore (7), Bulgaria (3), Russia (3), Egypt (6), Australia (6) are due to vie for honours.