World Press Photo show kicks off WAK festival

September 30, 2018

(From right) Korteweg, Karim, Mössenlechner, and van de Bunte marvel over a series of photographs at the exhibition. 

KUCHING: Photographs could leave an impact on the people with their presentations of today's world that will invoke a range of emotions, says Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

In his speech during the launch of World Press Photo Exhibition 2018 at Padang Merdeka yesterday, Abdul Karim said all the exhibited 66 photographs will "offers us in Kuching a view of the world of today, and seen with an open mind, it will allow these ‘Stories that Matter’ to reach out to us and make us think about today’s world.”

Karim also added that the photojournalism workshops organised this weekend in conjunction with the exhibition received overwhelming response.

Karim not for using Penang example to combat rabies

September 30, 2018

SIBU: Miri MP Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng’s suggestion of using Penang as an example of good management on how Sarawak should address the rabies problem might not be justified.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was reacting to Dr Teo’s suggestion that Sarawak should emulate measures of mandatory mass-vaccinations, humane capture, quarantine and culling taken by Penang in stopping the spread of rabies in the state two years ago.

The Miri MP had further mentioned that the disease has already claimed 12 lives in Sarawak and mass vaccination did not stop the outbreak which has becoming worrying.

SUKMA: Karim mahu ‘post mortem’ terhadap sukan gagal menang pingat

September 28, 2018

KUCHING: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah mahu ‘post mortem’ dilakukan terhadap mana-mana sukan yang gagal memenangi pingat pada temasya SUKMA XIX Perak yang berakhir baru-baru ini.

“Kita mendapati sesetengah sukan bukan sahaja sukar memenangi pingat emas, malah pingat gangsa pun tidak dapat.

“Justeru, kita akan melakukan ‘post mortem’ untuk melihat di mana kesilapan sama ada daripada cara kita mengendalikan persatuan atau cara mencungkil bakat baharu,” katanya semalam.

Sibu to host Youth Day 2018 celebration

September 28, 2018

Abdul Karim with Hii (left) and others during the conference.

KUCHING: At least 5,000 youths are expected at the state-level Youth Day 2018 to be held at the Indoor Stadium in Sibu from Nov 16 to 18.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said a series of activities had been lined up for the three-day event, to recognise the contributions of youths in Sarawak’s development.

“We had it in Betong last year and in Kuching the year before that. This year we are having it in Sibu, to also enhance closer rapport between the youths and the government.

Tough times ahead, Sarawak Sukma contingent warned

September 28, 2018

KUCHING: Sarawak is proud of its contingent’s achievements in the 19th Sukma in Perak despite finishing fourth overall with 42 gold medals, said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“Of course we still hope to be Sukma overall champion.

“It is what every contending contingent is hoping for,” he said in response to a question during a news conference held at Bangunan Baitul Makmur in Petra Jaya yesterday.

Abdul Karim pointed out that Sarawak might face stiffer competition in the future given that most of the states had equipped themselves with better sports facilities.

Abdul Karim hopes locals will take up BASE jumping

September 21, 2018

Two of the jumpers who took part in the trial jump.

SIBU: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah expressed the hope that Sarawakians will take up extreme sports like BASE jumping considering that the ongoing International BASE Jump has managed to place Sibu town on the global map.

“We hope to see a successful show again this year from the BASE jumpers. Come to Sibu on Sept 20 to 23 and see a thrilling show by these participants,” he said yesterday when asked to comment on the Sibu International BASE Jump, which enters its 10th year.

Meanwhile, jumpers from 14 countries conducted trial jumps from Wisma Sanyan, Sarawak’s tallest building, at 8am yesterday watched by spectators who took advantage of the fine weather to watch them in action.

Minister moots fixed dates for jazz festival

September 20, 2018

SEDC deputy general manager Edwin Abit (third left) presents mock festival tickets to Abdul Karim while others look on. 

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hopes the annual Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival is held on a fixed date each year or by end of September to allow jazz lovers worldwide know when to book their flights here.

Based on the inaugural event last year, which was a sold-out, he is confident that this year’s festival would be the same.

“Even people from Indonesia came here for the festival, and it shows how popular it is.”

‘Immigration autonomy integral right of Sarawak in MA63’

September 19, 2018

KUCHING: Opposition MP, Umno stalwart and supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz has been told to read back history books on how Malaysia was formed before making presumptions that Sarawak will lose its immigration autonomy upon gaining equal status with Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia as regions.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday said immigration autonomy is an integral right of Sarawak and there should not be any compromise on it.

“Likewise, it’s the same with the status of Sarawak as signatory to the Malaysia Agreement.

“Sarawak penned the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) with Federation of Malaya and not with Perak or any of the Malayan states,” pointed out Abdul Karim, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) vice president and Asajaya assemblyman.

Lakukan yang perlu perbetul hak Sabah, Sarawak

September 18, 2018

KUCHING: Kerajaan persekutuan diharap akan melakukan sesuatu yang perlu untuk memastikan hak-hak Sabah dan Sarawak dalam Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63) yang telah terhakis selama 55 tahun dibetulkan sewajarnya.

Perkara itu ditegaskan Naib Presiden Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah ketika mengulas jaminan Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir mengembalikan status ‘rakan sekutu’ kepada Sabah dan Sarawak ketika berucap merasmikan Majlis Sambutan Hari Malaysia di Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu malam kelmarin (Ahad).

“Pengisytiharan Tun Dr Mahathir untuk mengembalikan status ‘rakan sekutu’ kepada Sabah dan Sarawak adalah perkhabaran yang sememangnya dinanti-nantikan oleh rakyat kedua-dua negeri ini.

Assurance of equal status for Sabah, Sarawak a historic declaration — Abdul Karim

September 18, 2018

SIBU: The Prime Minister’s assurance that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government would return the status of equal partners to Sabah and Sarawak as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is a historic declaration.

In lauding the assurance, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah described it as a good step towards a greater and harmonious Malaysia.

“Definitely…this declaration is much awaited by all Sabahans and Sarawakians.

“Finally, Putrajaya has accepted the fact that Sabah and Sarawak are regions that formed Malaysia and not just mere states like the other states in Peninsular Malaysia.

Majlis Makan Malam di DUN rai Hari Malaysia peringkat Sarawak

September 15, 2018

SIDANG MEDIA: Abdul Karim bercakap tentang Sambutan Hari Malaysia Peringkat Negeri Sarawak 2018 di Kuching, semalam.

KUCHING: Sambutan Hari Malaysia Peringkat Negeri Sarawak pada 16 September ini akan diraikan menerusi Majlis Makan Malam di Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) di sini.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, majlis itu akan dihadiri Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud dan isteri Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib.

“Turut hadir ialah Ke-tua Menteri Datuk Pa-tinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg dan isteri Datin Patinggi Datuk Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang,” katanya sambil menambah majlis itu akan diadakan secara tertutup.

‘Miss World Malaysia 2018 promotes Sarawak’

September 10, 2018

KUCHING: The final of Miss World Malaysia 2018 held here on Saturday was a good platform to promote Sarawak to the world, said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

According to him, such events have the potential to attract more tourists to Sarawak, more so with the state declaring 2019 as Visit Sarawak Year.

“Sarawak’s tourism has benefitted from this event and I am glad the contest’s final round is held here in Sarawak. We hope to see more (such) future events held in the state future,” he said during the grand finale.

Galeri: Miss World Malaysia 2018

September 9, 2018

The wife of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib (left) arrives at the BCCK with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg  and his wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang (second left) to attend the Miss World Malaysia 2018 final contest. Also seen is Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. -TheBorneoPost

Sarawak contingent reminded of their mission in Perak

September 9, 2018

Karim (fourth left) helping Abang Johari to put on the official Sarawak contingent jacket for Sukma as (from right) Snowdan, Uggah and assistants chef-de-mission look on.

KUCHING: Sarawak athletes competing in Sukma XIX in Perak have been reminded to conduct themselves well, keep their focus or be sent home in disgrace.

The advice came from Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

“We don’t want to hear anyone being picked up by the police, get into fights, being reported of disciplinary issues or you will be on the next flight home,” he warned.

Abdul Karim: Get everybody involved in arts and culture

September 9, 2018

Abdul Karim (centre) receives a memento from Foo (second right) during the launch of WAK 2018 calendar of events. Looking on are (from left) Tan, Lee and Hii.

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah wants everybody to get involved in arts and culture.

He said that it is beautiful to see young people of Kuching show their talents and turn Kuching into an exciting place.

“We can see Kuching has lots of talent. We want to see them giving back to society,” he said during the launch of the WAK 2018 calendar of events at Old Courthouse here on Wednesday.

Chong's support for Maszlee on English usage puzzling - Abdul Karim

September 8, 2018

SIBU: Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen's support of Minister of Education's stand on English is a huge diversion from his previous stand and a betrayal to all Sarawakians, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah suggests.

He pointed out that Chong should be aware of the special rights accorded to Sarawak including on the use of English in schools and official correspondences including in the Courts and State Legislative Assembly (DUN).

The Asajaya assemblyman was responding to Chong's statement in defending Dr Maszlee Malik over his comment that using English as the medium of instruction in schools would be illegal as it contravened the Federal Constitution.

Preparations on track for Sukma, says Abdul Karim

September 7, 2018

Karim (centre) and Henry (fourth left, second row) shout the Sarawak battle cry with the swimmers and officials at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya on Wednesday.

KUCHING: Sarawak’s preparations for the Sukma XIX in Perak have received the thumbs up from Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“We are now in the final phase of training for all sports that we are involved in and we are fully prepared for it (Sukma),” Abdul Karim said after visiting the diving and swimming teams in training at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya on Wednesday.

“Our preparations had begun ever since the end of last Sukma where we have lined out our strategies and selected the best athletes.

Don’t be too strict on English usage, Education Ministry urged

September 6, 2018

KUCHING: The Education Ministry should not be too strict on the usage of English as medium of instruction in schools to the extent of making it unlawful and justifying its move by referring to various laws and the Federal Constitution over the issue.

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who is Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports said as English is an important global language, children and Malaysians in general should be encouraged to master the language.

“English is the language for business and understood all over the world, let’s not get too emotional about this,” he added.

Festival budaya meriahkan Kuching sepanjang WAK 2018

September 06, 2018

SIMBOLIK: Karim pada Majlis Pengenalan Kalendar WAK 2018 di Old Court House, semalam.

KUCHING: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata program What About Kuching (WAK) 2018 merupakan pelaburan dalam komuniti Kuching yang kreatif.

Belia berkata ini kerana WAK 2018 adalah festival yang dianjur sepenuhnya oleh komuniti untuk komuniti.

“Oktober ini khasnya bermula 29 September ini hingga 28 Oktober bakal menyaksikan Kuching menjanjikan suatu yang hebat untuk penduduk setempat dan pelancong.

Fix annual date for inclusion in tourism calendar, Pesta Tasik Biru organisers told

September 5, 2018

Abdul Karim (seated centre), Henry (third left) and festival organising committee members in a photo-call following the briefing on Pesta Tasik Biru 2018, which will be held from Sept 28-30.

KUCHING: Pesta Tasik Biru or formerly known as Jong Festival can be incorporated into the state’s tourism calendar if organisers can decide on a fixed date to have it each year.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the festival just needs to be ‘tidied up’ in terms of the day and month it is to be held, as opposed to random dates during the year.

“I had suggested to the organisers that they should have at least have a fixed date, month, and week when they organise Pesta Tasik Biru so that it can be programmed into the state tourism calendar.

All set for Sukma with a week to go

September 5, 2018

KUCHING: Sarawak has set a target of 77 gold medals which officials hope will be enough to carry home the overall title in Sukma XIX starting in Perak on Sept 12.

Much has been done to prepare the 700-strong contingent including talent spotting, systematic planning and training, overseas exposure and reviving the Sarawak Games or Suksar, a multi-sports event held at the state level.

“A lot of secret trainings have been done, we have sent our athletes to train in places like China, Thailand, Sabah and even to Canada. 

Abdul Karim: S’wakians will reject non local-based parties

September 4, 2018

KUCHING: Sarawakians want only Sarawak-based parties and Sarawakian leaders to lead and manage Sarawak, says state Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president said he has trust and faith in Sarawakian voters to continue supporting the local coalition, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as they do not like to be pushed around and be given empty promises.

“The forthcoming state election will be the same…I have my trust and faith in Sarawakian voters who do not like to be pushed around and be given empty promises, especially on the return of state’s rights and (autonomy over) our oil and gas.