Over 2,000 youths expected at state-level Millennia Roadshow

March 30, 2018

Abdul Karim flanked by Snowdan (on his left) and Fazzrudin speaking during the press conference.

KUCHING: More than 2,000 youths are expected to converge on Plaza Merdeka and Padang Merdeka here for the state-level Millennia Roadshow (Jelajah Milenia Negeri Sarawak) on April 8.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the event promises to be an exciting one, particularly for the youths.

“The objective of this programme, which was previously held in Perlis, Pahang, Johor, Melaka and Putrajaya, is to reach out to the younger generation, otherwise known as the millennials. These are those who are between the ages of 10 and 30.

Belia 25-40 tahun banyak terlibat penyalahgunaan dadah: Karim

March 28, 2018

KUCHING: Golongan belia berusia 25 hingga 40 tahun adalah antara yang banyak terlibat dalam penyalahgunaan dadah pada 2017.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, mereka terdiri daripada penganggur dan yang ada pekerjaan.

“Pada tahun 2017, seramai 2,056 orang yang ditangkap akibat penyalahgunaan dadah adalah terdiri daripada mereka yang berusia 25 hingga 29 tahun.

‘More tracking dogs needed to curb drug trafficking’

March 28, 2018

KUCHING: More tracking dogs are needed to curb drug trafficking in the state, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.

He said the dogs are useful particularly in aiding enforcement personnel along the borders which have become major points of entry for drugs and smuggled goods.

The dogs also help in detecting drugs at the airports and ports, he added.

Minister reveals those aged 25-40 years most involved in drug abuse

March 28, 2018

Abdul Karim (left) chairs the state-level Drug Enforcement Action Council meeting in Kuching yesterday.

KUCHING: Sarawakians between the ages of 25 and 40 years have been found to be the ones most involved in drug abuse in 2017.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said a total of 5,638 persons from the 25-40 age bracket were nabbed for the offence last year.

“In 2017, 2,056 people arrested for drug abuse were aged between 25 and 29, while 1,894 people were aged 30 to 34 years and 1,688 between the ages of 35 and 40.

Anti-Fake News Bill to prevent misuse of social media – Abdul Karim

March 27, 2018

KUCHING: PBB vice president Datuk Karim Abdul Rahman Hamzah believed that once the Anti-Fake News Bill 2018 is passed, it will prevent social media from being misused by unscrupulous individual or organisation to intentionally spread untrue and fake news.

He pointed out that some forms of curbing fake news need to be introduced because nowadays it is easy to disseminate news and information through the many new forms of media, especially in social media.

“This new Bill should not be seen as curtailing freedom of speech as that is not what it is meant to be. Its introduction is to stop ‘fake and untrue’ news by individual or organisation who knows that the information being disseminated are false and yet they (make it viral).”

Drug abuse: S’wak remains in bottom three

March 23, 2018

Abang Johari (centre), flanked by Nur Jazlan on his right and Abdul Karim, joins the delegates from Pemadam at the Chief Minister’s Office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia.

KUCHING: Sarawak is still in the lowest three among all states in as far as drug abuse is concerned.

According to Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, this is due to the approaches and initiatives taken by the state government in educating the people, especially youths, on the dangers of drugs.

“For the past 10 years or so, Sarawak remains the third lowest in the number of drug abuse cases despite our increasing population and porous border.

Tangani penyalahgunaan bahan mengkhayalkan, kata Karim

March 23, 2018

SIDANG MEDIA: Karim (tengah) bersama Naib Presiden PEMADAM Kebangsaan Omar Osman dan ahli jawatankuasa PEMADAM yang lain pada sidang media selepas Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa PEMADAM di sebuah hotel terkemuka di Kuching, semalam.

KUCHING: Kerajaan persekutuan perlu memandang serius gejala penyalahgunaan bahan mengkhayalkan seperti gam, ubat batuk dan pil nospan dengan menggubal undang-undang khas untuk menanganinya.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahmah Hamzah berkata dengan adanya undang-undang seperti itu maka penjualan dan pembelian bahan-bahan tersebut akan dapat dikawal.

“Undang-undang khas ini tidak dapat dibuat melalui Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN), ia perlu di Parlimen tetapi walaupun sudah beberapa kali dicadangkan, ia masih tidak dilaksanakan.

Karim agrees there should be control over air fares

March 23, 2018

SIBU: The government must have control over air fares to ensure airlines do not dictate the prices, said Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said this is to ensure that the poor are not burdened.

“Airlines should not be allowed to dictate the ticket prices as they please according to the economic power of supply and demand.

Sarawak needs more guides who speak Mandarin

Mar 21. 2018

Abdul Karim in a press conference after chairing the Sarawak Tourism steering committee meeting.

KUCHING: Sarawak is in need of more Mandarin-speaking tour guides to cope with the rise in tourist arrivals from China.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said his ministry is looking at various plans to meet the shortage including hiring individuals who can converse in Mandarin as temporary tour guides.

He added that tourism players and stakeholders were told to tackle the lack of Mandarin-speaking tour guides by also sending their employees for courses.

Karim gembira sekiranya benar Mawan jadi ahli PBB

March 21, 2018

KUCHING: Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah gembira sekiranya benar Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom menjadi ahli Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

Bagaimanapun, Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan yang juga Naib Presiden PBB itu berkata beliau belum lagi pasti mengenai status keahlian Mawan dalam parti itu.

“Saya juga tidak tahu (Mawan ahli PBB), pejabat PBB lebih tahu...saya cuma tahu daripada surat khabar sahaja tapi adalah dengar khabar angin beliau merupakan ahli PBB.

Mandarin-speaking tour guides mulled for Chinese tourists

March 21, 2018

Abdul Karim (seated third right) addresses the press conference after the meeting. Also seen seated from left are Abang Abdul Wahap, Abdul Wahab,Hii,and Snowdan.

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports is looking at temporary tour guides with Mandarin proficiency to accommodate the growing number of visitors from China.

Its minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this was brought about by the about 20,000 air passengers, mostly from China, who came here in the first three months since the inaugural Kuching-Shenzhen flight at end of December last year.

“The ministry is seriously looking into this issue and is hoping to address it with contingency plan or else it would have an impact on our Chinese guests,” he told a press conference after chairing the Sarawak Tourism Steering Committee meeting here yesterday.

Can Mawan contest under BN? Up to PM and CM, says Karim

March 20, 2018

PBB supreme council member Datuk Karim Rahman Hamzah said it was up to top BN leaders to select the candidates for Sarawak BN for GE14.

KUCHING, March 20 — Only the prime minister and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg can decide if former state minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom can contest under Barisan Nasional’s (BN) ticket in the upcoming polls.

Datuk Karim Rahman Hamzah said Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Abang Johari are also responsible for deciding the other candidates for the Sarawak BN.

“Whether it is a good idea or not for Mawan to defend his Saratok seat is not for me to answer. The question should be answered by the two leaders,” he told reporters after chairing the state tourism steering committee meeting here.

Galeri: State delegation visit to Wellington and Auckland, New Zealand

March 16, 2018

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (third right) presenting a souvenir to Steve Riley of Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) New Zealand (fourth right). Others seen are Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan (fifth right); permanent secretary to Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Hii Chang Kee (second right); Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib (fourth left); Charlie Ives, executive officer of Regional Tourism NZ (third left); Rajah Suresh, first secretary of Malaysian High Commission in New Zealand (second left); CEO of Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) Dr Ong Kong Swee (left) and Dr Suzie Lim, head of Statistics Unit, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports (right). -TheBorneoPost

Karim ketuai delegasi Sarawak ke New Zealand

March 16, 2018

KUCHING: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah mengetuai delegasi Sarawak ke Auckland dan Wellington, New Zealand pada Selasa hingga hari ini.

Delegasi itu disertai Menteri Muda Belia dan Sukan Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib, Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Hii Chang Kee, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Perbadanan Sukan Sarawak (SSC) Dr Ong Kong Swee dan delegasi lain.

Objektif lawatan itu fokus kepada dua bidang dan bertujuan memberi pandangan lebih mendalam mengenai strategi pembangunan pelancongan New Zealand dan mekanisme ‘Tourism Satellite Account’ (TSA) untuk bidang pelancongan.

Abdul Karim hopes to see proposals on re-starting Rajang River cruise

March 12, 2018

SIBU: Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah wishes to see tourism players coming up with proposals to start Rajang River cruise.

He believes that the Rajang River Cruise would be a good tourism product because of the many longhouses along the Rajang River that could be promoted to tourists.

“The Rajang River Cruise definitely would be a good tourism package. The government is supportive but it has to be initiated by the private sector. I wish there are tourism players out there who would come up with proposals to start this Rajang Cruise,” the Asajaya assemblyman told The Borneo Post yesterday. 

Galeri: Digital Tourism Forum 2018

Mar 10, 2018

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah receiving a memento from Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi (right) after launching the Travel App at the Digital Tourism Forum 2018. - TheStar

Tourism players urged to join more events

March 10, 2018

KUCHING: Tourism players should be more proactive when it comes to participation in any event or forum meant to boost the sector.

In this regard, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stresses the importance for them to keep abreast with the latest trends to remain relevant in the field, especially through the use of social media for promotion.

“With so much potential and demands, we are confident that with the right development and marketing initiatives for our (tourism) destinations, Sarawak and Malaysia will shine on the world stage,” he said at the official opening of the 12th Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Sarawak Fair in Boulevard Shopping Mall here yesterday.

Don’t rely on Kuala Lumpur to promote our tourism — Abdul Karim

March 10, 2018

KUCHING: Sarawak must not rely on Kuala Lumpur to promote the state as a tourist destination.

According to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, there is a need for Sarawak to establish ties with other countries, especially those in the Asean region, in order to attract more visitors.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the 2018 Digital Tourism Forum yesterday, he noted that some 150,000 Sarawakians had visited Thailand as compared to only around 7,000 Thais visiting Sarawak last year.

Manifesto PH tiada kejujuran, kata Abdul Karim

March 10, 2018

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Tiada kejujuran dalam manifesto Pakatan Harapan (PH), kata Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Beliau memberitahu, manifesto PH itu sekadar janji kosong yang tidak mempunyai hala tuju yang telus.

“Saya boleh katakan manifesto PH ini tiada kejujuran dan terumbang-ambing terutamanya dalam memperjuangkan hak Sarawak.

‘Pouring cold water’ tantamount to disloyalty to the state

March 9, 2018

SIBU: State DAP and PKR are slammed for ‘pouring cold water’ on whatever efforts are put forth by the chief minister and state BN to claim the state’s rights which have been eroded over the years.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president, said it was sad to see these opposition leaders taking such a stand.

He was reacting to the press statements from state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen and state PKR vice chairman See Chee How.

High performance centre in 3 years

March 7, 2018

KUCHING: Sarawak could boast a high performance sports centre within the next three years.

This was revealed by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

“Near our sports complex here, we have got a school and we want to change that school into a sports school.

‘Sarawak Museum Campus to also serve as research centre’

March 7, 2018

KUCHING: The Sarawak Museum Campus will serve as a research centre for local and international students aside from being a venue to display Sarawak’s artifacts.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the new museum campus, when completed, would also become a very important resource centre for the culture and history of Sarawak.

“As a research centre, interested international students can come over and stay in Sarawak for some time to do research into our history, culture and so on,” he said after receiving a courtesy call from Sarawak Arm Sport Association (Sasa) at his office here yesterday.

MBKS calls on Abdul Karim about sports tourism

March 7, 2018

Abdul Karim (third left) and Chan
exchange souvenirs in a photocall

KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk James Chan Khay Syn paid a courtesy call on Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

“The brief meeting was to discuss how sports tourism in Sarawak and Kuching City, in particular, could be best promoted.”

“The establishment of friendship relationship with various cities like Zhenjiang, Zhanjiang, Quanzhou, Chongzhou and Kunming in China, Guro City, South Korea and Toyota City in Japan could also play part in introducing a peaceful and stable Sarawak and beautiful Kuching City with its diverse cultures, traditions and foods to visitors and citizens of those cities,” said MBKS in a press statement.

Sasa advised to lobby for arm wrestling in Sukma

March 7, 2018

Abdul Karim (centre) receives a souvenir from Sasa advisor Datuk Seri Teng Chi Lik (left) while Matthew looks on.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Armsport Association (Sasa) will need to persuade other states to popularize arm wrestling before it can be included in the Malaysia Games (Sukma).

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah made this suggestion while saying that it will require at least eight states agreeing to participate before the sport could be included.

“While arm wrestling is getting popular among our youths now, for it to be contested in Sukma you need get the support from other states as well.

Galeri: A courtesy call by Sarawak Borneo Cross Country Rally 2018 organising committee

March 3, 2018

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah with members of Sarawak Borneo Cross Country Rally 2018 organising committee (from right) Borneo Post Online head of operations Dorge Rajah, Unides Event managing director Kho Sze Min, Brighton Travel & Tour managing director Wilson Chiam Tak Chee, HKS marketing manager (Borneo Superbike) and technical partner Kenny Lim Thian Hoe and the ministry’s assistant secretary (sports section) principal  Zul Usup.

Harus berhati-hati selesai kes berkaitan agama, kata Karim

March 02, 2018

KUCHING: Ahli politik yang turut mengamalkan profesion guaman seharusnya lebih berhati-hati dalam menyelesaikan kes khasnya berkaitan dengan agama.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, ini kerana perihal keagamaan adalah satu perkara yang amat sensitif bagi semua masyarakat.

“Ahli politik atau peguam yang juga ahli politik diharapkan lebih berhati-hati dalam menangani apa sahaja kes yang mereka kendalikan termasuk mengenai agama.

Kuching to host Digital Tourism Forum 2018

March 2, 2018

KUCHING: Kuching has been chosen as the venue for the Digital Tourism Forum 2018 on March 9.

According to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, several Asean countries and China would participate in the forum, which is organised by the Association of Chinese-Asean Entrepreneurs (ACEA), with the support of the ministry and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) as a strategic partner.

“The main purpose of the forum is to highlight Sarawak as a tourist destination to our friends in Asean.

None of S’wak’s three major tourism products make it to award

March 2, 2018

 KUCHING: Sarawak has three world-renowned tourism products, namely Sarawak Cultural Village, Rainforest World Music Festival and Mulu National Park, with the latter even recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

However, none of these major products made it to the 20th Malaysia Tourism Award which was published as an advertorial in The Borneo Post yesterday.

When asked for his comments, Minister of Tourism Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he would not like to interfere with the decision of the organising committee.

Tread carefully when handling religious cases — Abdul Karim

March 2, 2018

KUCHING: Politicians who are lawyers by profession should be more careful when handling cases especially when they involved religions.

Minister of Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sport Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this is because religion is a sensitive issue in the society.

“Lawyers who are politicians should be more sensitive in handling any cases including those involving religion. Regardless of whether they are Christian or Muslim they should be more sensitive, and we all should learn from past incidents,’ he said when met by reporters here yesterday.

State gets 38,204 tourists from China out of 4.56 million tourist arrivals in 2017

March 2, 2018

KUCHING: Sarawak recorded 4.56 million tourist arrivals in 2017 out of which 38,204 tourists come from China.

According to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during the same year, Sarawak recorded RM8.95 billion in spending by tourists.

“Overall, the number of visitors to Sarawak last year was 4.56 million arrivals and from that, 38,204 were Chinese visitors. China is one of the largest visitors to Sarawak after Indonesia and Brunei, but viewed from the participation of Malaysia’s Second Home programme, China’s tourists are among the largest,” he added during a press conference at his office here yesterday.