Electric bus debuts on Friday, passengers ride for free for 3 months

February 26, 2019

The bus will operate hourly, have free WiFi and cover 26 stops around Kuching city centre.

KUCHING: Sarawak’s first electric bus will hit the roads this Friday (March 1) enabling locals and visitors here to travel around the city centre with ease.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the CRRC electric bus will go on a three-month trial run covering 26 stations that include the Open Air Market, Kuching Waterfront, iCom Square and Sarawak Museum, among others.

“The free electric bus will provide commuters with the convenience to travel around the city centre, especially for those who are from outside Kuching.

IPD Kota Samarahan commended for keeping order in municipality

February 25, 2019

Abdul Karim joins Rubiah (front, left), Aidil (fourth right), Lee (front, second left) and other guests in a photo-call during the event at IPD Kota Samarahan.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: This parliamentary constituency has undergone major changes over the last 20 to 30 years, making it among those experiencing rapid development.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah observes that the area is now a municipality with its own council, a number of high-rise buildings and shopping malls, and is also regarded as Sarawak’s educational hub in that it houses many local and international colleges and universities.

However, he also points out that with modernisation, there are also social problems affecting the local community.

Don’t insult our intelligence, Sarawak minister tells Chong over BSH sabotage claim

February 24, 2019

PETALING JAYA: A Sarawak state minister has chided a federal deputy minister for accusing district officers in the state of not cooperating with the government to roll out the cash disbursement programme Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH).

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the state minister in charge of tourism, arts, culture, youth and sports, described Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Chong Chieng Jen’s claim as silly, saying it would be self-defeating for the state agencies to sabotage the federal programme.

He said Chong also got his facts wrong when he said district offices in Bau, Serian and Simanggang refused to register BSH recipients.

Sarawak PH accepting Bersatu won’t change anything – Karim

February 24, 2019

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says the state Pakatan Harapan (PH) decision to accept Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will not change its political scenario.

He pointed out that even though Bersatu has joined the coalition in the state, it would still be dominated by Democratic Action Party (DAP).

“Any different from the previous set up?…nothing because it will still be dominated by DAP and the state PH chairman Chong Chieng Jen calling the shot and dictating to other Bumiputera based parties,” he said yesterday.

RTM should revisit its original purpose of promoting unity — Abd Karim

February 24, 2019

Abdul Karim joins Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang (left), Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidil Lariwoo (fourth left) and a guest in a photo-call with the lion dance performers.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: The alleged guidelines that forbid Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) to provide coverage for states under opposition rule are narrow-minded and may subvert the national broadcaster’s original purpose, which is to promote and uphold unity.

In stating this, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah regards RTM as an agency meant to unite the people, not split them.

“In Sarawak, most of the state government programmes are meant to unite the people, but there isn’t any coverage (by RTM) just because they’re a state government’s events or functions.

Peranan RTM satu padukan rakyat, bukan pecah belahkan

February 23, 2019

Abdul Karim bersama (dari kiri) Ahli Parlimen Kota Samarahan Rubiah Wang (kiri), Ketua Polis Daerah Kota Samarahan DSP Lee Chong Chern dan ADUN Sadong Jaya Aidel Lariwoo melakukan simbolik perasmian majlis.

KUCHING: Kenyataan yang mendakwa larangan kepada Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) dalam membuat liputan di negeri-negeri di bawah pemerintahan pembangkang disifatkan pemikiran sempit.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, ia ternyata tersasar daripada matlamat sebenar penubuhan RTM.

Menurut beliau, RTM adalah agensi untuk menyatupadukan rakyat dan bukan memecahbelahkan rakyat.

Sarawak to host world badminton amateur tourney

February 23, 2019

Karim with (from left) Ong, Snowdan, Wu, Hii, Ting (third left, standing) and others giving the thumbs up during the press conference.

KUCHING: Former and current badminton superstars like Malaysia’s Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat as well as Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat are expected to grace the 26th World Masters Badminton Championship Kuching at the Sarawak Sports Complex, Petra Jaya from Oct 31 to Nov 3.

More than 3,000 shuttlers, officials and supporters, friends and family members from more than 20 countries will converge on Kuching for this event specially organised for non-professional players aged 25 and above.

It is also the largest amateur badminton tournament in the world.

“We are indeed honoured that Kuching, Sarawak was given the trust to be the host for this World Chinese Badminton Federation (WCBF) tournament which is held outside China for the third time after the Philippines and Thailand.

Alleged guidelines on coverage on opposition-ruled states goes against RTM’s original role – Abdul Karim

February 23, 2019

Abdul Karim poses for a group photo at the event.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Alleged guidelines forbidding RTM to provide coverage for states under opposition rule are narrow minded and subvert Radio Television Malaysia’s (RTM) original purpose, says Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He was referring to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s Facebook post, which alleged that there were guidelines regarding the coverage and broadcast for states under opposition rule, thus claiming there was no media freedom under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.

Abdul Karim said RTM was an agency meant to unite and not to split the people.

Sarawak pertama di Malaysia miliki ‘aerodome’

February 22, 2019

Abdul Karim bersama (duduk dari kanan) Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Hii Chang Kee, Presiden WCBF Wu Jun Yan, Menteri Muda Sukan Datuk Snowdan Lawan dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Perbadanan Sukan Sarawak (PSS) Dr Ong Kong Swee bergambar kenangan bersama wakil dari WCBF Sarawak dan WCBF.

KUCHING: Sarawak akan menjadi negeri pertama memiliki fasiliti aerodome yang akan digunakan sebagai venue penganjuran Kejohanan Badminton Masters Dunia Ke-26 diadakan dari 31 Oktober hingga 3 November 2019.

Menurut Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, pembelian stadium buatan dengan kos bernilai RM2.6 juta itu telah dibuat dan ia dijangka mula dipasang pada Julai depan di perkarangan parkir bersebelahan Stadium Negeri, Petra Jaya.

“Untuk mendapatkan 3,000 atlet bermain bermakna kita memerlukan gelanggang yang besar kerana gelanggang sedia ada tidak mencukupi.

Abd Karim: Kuching Waterfront should be managed by single entity

February 22, 2019

Abdul Karim (third right) visits a booth which showcased ideas for the Kuching Art Mural together with (from right) Dr Sim, Abdul Wahap and Wee at the Chap Goh Mei festival that was held at the India Street Pedestrian Mall on Wednesday.

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah feels that the whole stretch of the Kuching Waterfront should be managed by a single entity.

Currently, he said the Kuching Waterfront is jointly managed by Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) “which does not make sense”.

“I feel that there should not be more than one entity to manage the Kuching Waterfront properly as it may affect the development and tourism plans in the area,” he suggested at the Chap Goh Mei festival at India Street Pedestrian Mall on Wednesday night.

Taxis to display Visit Sarawak Campaign stickers

February 21, 2019

Abdul Karim giving the thumbs up alongside Sharzede (second left) and Abdul Wahab (left) after placing the VSC car sticker on a taxi to symbolically officiate the launch.

KUCHING: More than 2,000 car stickers will be distributed to taxis throughout Sarawak in conjunction with the Visit Sarawak Campaign (VSC).

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the taxi drivers will be displaying the stickers on their vehicles as part of Sarawak Tourism Board’s (STB) efforts to promote the state.

“The car stickers will be distributed to taxi drivers not only in Kuching but also in Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and so on.

Abdul Karim suggests taxi associations merge

February 21, 2019

Abdul Karim speaks to reporters after officiating at the VSC Car Sticker Launch.

KUCHING: Taxi associations in Kuching have been advised to merge and come under one roof so as to ensure a stronger and unified voice for the taxi drivers.

This was suggested by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is of the opinion that the capital of Sarawak currently has too many taxi associations.

“Kuching is a small city and there are five taxi associations regulating the taxi drivers.

Sarawak Museum Campus open to public in Sept 2020 — Abd Karim

February 21, 2019

The nearly completed Sarawak Museum Campus.

KUCHING: The much-awaited Sarawak Museum Campus will only be open to the public in September 2020, even though the physical completion of the project and the handing over from the contractor to the Sarawak government will be done next month (March 2019).

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who said this, explained the long time taken is to allow historical artefacts to be moved to the building and to ensure the artefacts are displayed with accurate description.

He also hinted that Sarawak Museum Campus, which is set to be the second biggest museum in South East Asia, will take on a new name when it is officially declared open in September 2020.

Teksi bantu promosi Kempen Melawat Sarawak

February 20, 2019

Abdul Karim (dua kanan) bersama Sharzede (dua kiri) dan Abdul Wahab (kiri) selepas menyempurnakan pelancaran pelekat kereta Kempen Melawat Sarawak hari ini.

KUCHING: Lebih 2,000 pelekat kereta akan diedarkan kepada teksi di seluruh Sarawak sempena Kempen Melawat Sarawak.

Menurut Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, inisiatif tersebut adalah sebahagian daripada usaha kementeriannya melalui Lembaga Pelancongan Sarawak (STB) untuk mempromosikan pelancongan Sarawak.

"Pelekat kereta ini akan diedarkan kepada pemandu teksi di Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri dan bahagian-bahagian lain di seluruh Sarawak,” katanya selepas majlis pelancaran pelekat Kempen Melawat Sarawak di perhentian teksi, Plaza Merdeka di sini hari ini.

Taxis parade Visit Sarawak Campaign stickers to promote tourism

February 20, 2019

Abdul Karim puts the finishing touches on a taxi’s Visit Sarawak Campaign sticker at the launch.

KUCHING: More than 2,000 car stickers and decals will be distributed to taxis throughout Sarawak in line with the Visit Sarawak Campaign (VSC).

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the taxis will be displaying the stickers on their vehicles as part of Sarawak Tourism Board’s (STB) efforts to promote the state.

“The distribution of the car stickers will involve taxi drivers not only in Kuching but also in Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and so on.

Galeri : A press conference after PBB meeting

February 17, 2019

NO CABINET RESHUFFLE - Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg gestures during the press conference at the PBB HQ here in Kuching. He is flanked by deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas (seated, second left) and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. Standing fourth right is Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. -TheBorneoPost

Minister assures funding for research

February 17, 2019

Abdul Karim gets ready to sign the exhibition poster during the launch, witnessed by Chung (front, left), Mohd (second right) and Mohamad Faizuan (right).

KUCHING: Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah assures all that he would continue to provide funding for the research works on and preservation of traditional arts and culture for as long as he is still the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports.

He said that by doing so, the arts and culture could be preserved and passed on to the younger generation.

He said the common feature of these arts and culture being practised in villages, have resulted in city youngsters not knowing their existence.

Requests for funds for those involved in arts and culture welcome – Abdul Karim

February 16, 2019

Abdul Karim signing the exhibition poster at the event witnessed by Chung (second left, in red) and others.

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is committed to providing funding to institutions of higher learning for the purpose of research for arts and culture in the state.

He said he will continue to do so as long as he’s still holding the portfolio.

“I welcome institutions of higher learning to come to my office with their working papers and apply for funding if they’re doing research.

Would-be-travellers advised to use travel, tour agencies with good track record

February 15, 2019

SIBU: Members of the public who plan to go travelling or on a tour are advised to liaise with travel and tour agencies that have a good track record in handling tour packages rather than using unknown ones.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when giving this advice here yesterday also stressed that this was important to avoid falling prey to unscrupulous travel agents who lure unsuspecting tourists with cheap travel packages.

He said this in response to the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents’ (Matta) call for consumers to be vigilant over ‘cheap travel packages’ offered by travel agencies, especially online. Matta president Datuk Tan Kok Liang had commented on a media report on a travel package scam involving over RM810,000 and affecting some 120 travellers.

Galeri: Paying last respect to the late Andrew

February 14, 2019

(From second right) Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian pay their last respects to former deputy chairman of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) the late Dato Andrew Wong Kee Yew. At right is Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. -TheBorneoPost

‘Be careful when seeking greener pastures abroad’

February 11, 2019

KUCHING: Sarawakian youths must be careful when seeking or accepting job opportunities abroad so as not to fall victim to human trafficking syndicates.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said prior to accepting any offer, it is important to carry out a thorough check to ensure the prospective overseas employer is legitimate and not involved in any illegal activities.

“Due to communication now being very advanced, we (government) cannot stop or monitor youths who go abroad seeking greener pastures.

80 varsity students from seven nations in ‘Night in the Museum’ event

February 9, 2019

Abdul Karim (second right) gets ready to cut the ribbon to launch the programme. Also seen from left are Hii, Fasihuddin and Suria.

KUCHING: About 80 university students from Thailand, Indonesia, Yemen, Laos, Brunei, Pakistan and host Malaysia are taking part in the ‘Night in the Museum’ programme here yesterday and today (Feb 9).

The programme organised by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s (Unimas) Faculty of Language and Communication entails the students spending two nights at Sarawak Museum and participating in a treasure hunt.

Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when launching the programme yesterday at the compound of the Sarawak Museum said it was a good idea to hold the programme to foster friendship among the students from the various universities.

Sarawak to bring human skeletons found in Niah Caves back from US

February 9, 2019

KUCHING: The Sarawak government is in the midst of a discussion to bring back the over 100 human skeletons, which were excavated from Niah Caves, from the United States.

Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the skeletons, which were kept at a university in Nevada were brought to the USA for study by scientists.

He said the study had been completed and the authority in Nevada had agreed that the skeletons be returned to Sarawak.

Galeri :Tan's Chinese New Year open house

 February 8, 2019

(Seated from second left)  Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Datuk Tan Jit Kee, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, and his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang join a photo call during the visit. -TheBorneoPost

Galeri: Dr Sim's Chinese New Year open house

February 8, 2019

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg chats with Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, while Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang speaks to Dr Sim’s mother Puan Sri Lim Siew Kheng. From left are Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi and Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. -TheBorneoPost

Sarawak mulls covering losses from axed swim meet

February 04, 2019

KUCHING: The Sarawak government says it will provide assistance to those affected by the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision to bar Malaysia from hosting a swim meet which became embroiled in controversy after Putrajaya’s refusal to allow the participation of Israeli athletes.

However, Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said discussions would be held first as this was a state decision.

“The state is concerned for all those involved, and will definitely look into every aspect of this matter to decide what is best and come up with a win-win solution,” he told FMT.

Providing airfare subsidy to Sarawakian students commended

February 3, 2019

Abang Johari (centre), flanked by Abdul Karim (right) and AirAsia non-independent, non-executive director Datuk Abdul Aziz Abu Bakar answers a question during a press conference  after the launching of ‘AirAsia Sarawak Campaign Livery’ yesterday.

KUCHING: The provision of airfare subsidy to Sarawakian students going back home during festive seasons is a commendable effort by the Sarawak government, says Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The subsidy, according to him, would enable more Sarawakian students who are studying in Peninsular Malaysia, to spend more time with their families during the festive holidays.

However, he could not comment about this programme further without having the full details on such policy.

‘Five-million tourist arrival’s target remains achievable for Sarawak’

February 3, 2019

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg cuts the ribbon to officiate at the launch of the ‘Air Asia Sarawak Campaign Livery’ at KIA. With him are Abdul Karim and Abdul Aziz, on his right.

KUCHING: Sarawak is confident of achieving its target of five million tourist arrivals this year, despite AirAsia’s plan of discontinuing its Kuching-Shenzhen route.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes that Sarawak should still be able to welcome tourists from China coming in via Sabah and towards this end, his ministry is making certain arrangements with Sabah to facilitate this.

“Aside from that, tourists from China can still come to Sarawak via Kuala Lumpur,” he told reporters after the launching of ‘AirAsia Sarawak Campaign Livery’ by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at Kuching International Airport (KIA) yesterday.