S’wak govt grants Olympic swimmer Welson Sim RM91,500 for training

April 30, 2019,

Abdul Karim (second right) presents an incentive to Sim (second left). Also seen are Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan (left) and Sarawak State Sports Council director director Dr Ong Kong Swee.

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has granted Olympic and national swimmer Welson Sim RM91,500 for his training expenses in Melbourne, Australia over the past four months since January, this year.

The 21-year-old Sarawakian swimmer from Jalan Foochow, here, who is currently undergoing intensive training in Melbourne, is aiming to participate for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

“The state government will not let our athletes be left on the ledge, that’s why we have to come in,” said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who was accompanied by Sim when met by reporters at the lobby of State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex, Petra Jaya here today.

‘Local handicrafts industry needs more boost’

April 29, 2019

Abdul Karim presents a memento to Miri Kedayan Association chairman Mohamad Abdullah Jamin at the ceremony.

MIRI: Greater effort is needed to develop and promote handicrafts from Sarawak, says Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

In this regard, he calls upon Sarawak Craft Council to always be proactive in charting the development of this industry in Sarawak.

“In terms of crafts, Sarawakians are proficient and this has been proven by the conferment of Kuching, as the ‘World Craft City’ by the World Crafts Council earlier this year. We are proud of that.

Cat City impresses Steven Seagal

April 28, 2019

Seagal (seated, third left) with his wife Erdenetuya (seated, second left), Abdul Karim (seated, third right), Hii (seated, right) and others pose with local and foreign media.

KUCHING: Hollywood star Steven Seagal is impressed by the capital city of Sarawak where he made a special appearance at the Asean International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa) 2019.

“I’ve been to Malaysia many times but this is my first trip to Kuching. It’s unspoilt, simple and charming.

“And really nice people as well as beautiful culture,” he told a press conference packed with local and foreign media as well as fans at the Old Court House here yesterday.

Abd Karim: No need for Chong to play politics

April 28, 2019

SIBU: There is no need for Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen to play politics, and appeal to Sarawakian lawyers to reject the proposed draft of Legal Profession Bill 2019.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawakians were mature enough to know who were really fighting for their rights.

“I am disappointed with Chong for calling on the legal practitioners in Sarawak to reject this draft bill, which would wipe out another matter that belongs to Sarawak,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Look for stories from Asean, filmmakers urged

April 27, 2019

Abdul Karim (third right) strikes the gong to launch Aiffa Biz World 2019, witnessed by Aiffa 2019 festival director Livan Tajang (second left) and others.

KUCHING: Sarawak government is willing to listen and offer incentives to filmmaking companies here to develop the local film industry, which also covers creative contents, so that it would be able to showcase the tourism attractions in Sarawak.

In this regard, Minister  of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes that the onus falls on the filmmakers and financiers to ‘unearth the best stories that we have in Asean, and to give them the spotlight that they deserve’.

He said this in his opening remarks for the launch of ‘Asean International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa) Biz World 2019’ at Kuching Old Courthouse yesterday.

29 films make it into finals of 4th AIFFA

April 26, 2019

Abd Karim, Lee (right), Hii (second left) and other guests with Seagal (centre) at the VIP table during the AIFFA 2019 opening night.

KUCHING: The jury has announced 29 films that have made it to the finals of the fourth edition of Asean International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA).

The shortlisted films, curated from hundreds of submissions, embody the great interest and prestige that AIFFA has generated throughout the Asean film community. The nominations were announced during the AIFFA 2019 opening night held at Grand Margherita waterfront on Thursday evening (April 25).

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah officiated at the event, which also wowed the crowd with thrilling stage performances by Naning Rhapsody and Majlis Seni Sarawak.

Sarawak govt to support local filmmakers with incentives

April 26, 2019



City Role Holdings Group Limited chief executive officer Zhao Liang (seated, left) and Aiffa 2019 festival director Livan Tanjang (seated, right) sign the MoU while Abdul Karim, Aiffa executive director Jaffri Amin (left) and City Role Holdings Group Limited chairman Deng QiDan (second right) look on.

KUCHING: The Sarawak government is willing to listen and offer its own incentives to filmmaking companies to develop the local film industry here.

It said such creative content was able the showcase the tourism attractions of the state.

“It falls on you as filmmakers and financiers to unearth the best stories that we have in the Asean region and to give them the spotlight that they deserve,” Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said in his speech when launching the Asean International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa) Biz World 2019 today.

Biggest ever Kuching Marathon set for Aug 18

April 22, 2019

Abdul Karim with the organisers, guests and sponsors at the launching ceremony of Kuching Marathon 2019 yesterday. 

KUCHING: The Kuching Marathon will return for its sixth year in August 18 with plans for more prize money to attract more participants.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who officiated the launch of Kuching Marathon 2019 yesterday, said the state government is looking into increasing the prize money for this increasingly popular event.

Last year, the cash prizes totalled RM80,000. As in previous marathons, prizes will be awarded for winners of the full marathon, half marathon and 10km run.

Kuching Marathon returns on Aug 18

April 21, 2019

Abdul Karim with the guests and representatives of sponsors in a photo call during the launching ceremony.

KUCHING: The Kuching Marathon returns for the sixth consecutive year on Aug 18 this year, with more prize money and expected to attract more international participants.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who officiated the launch of Kuching Marathon 2019 today, said the state government is looking into increasing the prize money for this increasingly popular event.

Last year, the cash prizes totalled RM80,000. As in previous marathons, prizes will be awarded for the winners of the full marathon, half marathon and 10-kilometre (km) runs.

Sabah DUN’s push for amendment ‘a little too late’ — Abdul Karim

April 21, 2019

KUCHING: The Sabah State Legislative Assembly’s (DUN) Sabah recent endorsement to push for Parliament to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution has been called ‘is a little too late’.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the endorsement should have been done before the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government tabled the amendment Bill in Parliament earlier this month.

“If the amendment Bill had been referred to the two states (Sabah and Sarawak) for deliberation and endorsement (before being tabled and debated in Parliament), probably it would be worth it for the DUN of the two states to debate on it.

16th edition of harvest, folklore fest to be held at SCV

April 18, 2019

Abdul Karim (centre) gives the thumbs up alongside Jane (second right), Hii (third left), Edwin (third right) and other guests as they unveil the buntings for SHFF.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Harvest & Folklore Festival 2019 (SHFF) is back with its 16th edition and will be held at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) in Santubong from April 26-28.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this year’s event is expected to attract a bigger crowd in view of the promotion undertaken by Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and SCV since last year.

“The staging of this four-day festival is also timely because we are expecting a lot of local and foreign tourists who are coming to Kuching for a number of events including the Asean International Film Festival and Awards (Aiffa) 2019 which is on from April 25-27.

Sarawak records 10 pct increase in visitors in first quarter of 2019

April 17, 2019

KUCHING: Sarawak’s arrival of visitors from January to March this year recorded an increase of more than 10 per cent, compared to the same period in 2018.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said thus far, the state has recorded more than 300,000 visitor arrivals for the first three months of 2019.

“In fact, in January there was a big jump of more than 60 per cent (of visitor arrivals) compared to last year in January due to events that were held that month.

What About Kuching back to celebrate arts, lifestyle

April 17, 2019

Abdul Karim and wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar (front row, sixth right) in a group photo with Snowdan (front row, fourth right), Hii (front row, fifth left), Tan (second row, fourth right), Sharzede (front row, third left) and other guests at the WAK 2019 Action Call Sundowner Party.

KUCHING: What About Kuching (WAK), the festival that celebrates arts, culture and lifestyle, is back for its third edition this year, running from Sept 28 to Oct 27.

The annual festival, which aims to support tourism, culture, heritage and the arts in a bold and innovative way, will gather talented communities from Sarawak and showcase their best efforts in the many genres of arts, culture and lifestyle.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says with WAK having received great response since its inception in 2017, the festival has the potential to become an international event where talents from other countries can also come here to showcase their creative talents.

BN’s winning streak shows people are ‘impatient, unhappy’ with PH — Karim

April 15, 2019

KUCHING: Barisan Nasional’s (BN) winning streak at by-elections held post-GE14 is a sign that the people are growing impatient and unhappy with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the back-to-back-to-back wins for BN in Cameron Highlands, Semenyih and the latest Rantau by-election reflects the groundswell feeling of unhappiness among the people.

“The rakyat (people) are beginning to see all the promises, pledges and good governance promised by PH prior to GE14 are just lies and they are now throwing the bat back at PH,” he said when contacted yesterday on the result of the Rantau by-election, which saw incumbent Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan retain the seat for BN with 10,397 votes in a four-cornered contest on Saturday.

Samarahan Regatta 2019 to add 20-paddler category

April 12, 2019

Abdul Karim and Ibrahim on his left in a photocall with other organising committee members at the press conference to announce the event.

KUCHING: The Samarahan Regatta 2019 from July 12-14 this year will introduce a 20-paddler category in the competition.

According to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the new category would be for villages in the area and among the 11 categories in the three-day event.

“The Samarahan Regatta to be held at Kampung Tambirat, which was last held in 2015, is back again to prepare competitors for the coming Sarawak Regatta,” he told reporters here yesterday at a news conference to announce the event.

‘Jelajah Belia Sarawak’ 2019 to be launched at Asajaya Sports Complex

April 11, 2019

Abdul Karim and Snowdan on his right and other officers hold the banner to promote the event.

KUCHING: The ‘Jelajah Belia Sarawak’ 2019 event will kick off this Saturday (April 13) with the launching ceremony at Asajaya Sports Complex in Samarahan.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the event will cover all the 40 districts across the state, whether in urban, sub-urban or rural areas.

He pointed out that several activities, which are targeted at youths would be organised in conjunction with the event that will run until end of next year.

Govt wants to tap tourism potential in sports — Karim

April 7, 2019

Karim, Snowdan (11th right), PAL president Igor Mazurenko (fifth right, squatting) and other guests pose with the Vendetta Top 8 pullers, referees and officials.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Government has taken a bold move in supporting this year’s Vendetta Top 8 Armwrestling Championship because it wants to further enhance Sarawak’s sports tourism potential and to project Sarawak as a major destination for hosting world class armwrestling events.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this is because Sarawak recognises the importance of sports tourism which include armwrestling and other endurance sports events which have a large number of followers all over the world.

“We are also hoping that, through this event, we are can promote our “Visit Sarawak Campaign” to a larger audience and to promote our traditional multi-cultural heritage as well as other tourism products.

Pakej istimewa untuk saksikan tiga festival muzik Sarawak

April 06, 2019

JOM SERTAI KAMI: Abdul Karim (empat kiri) ditemani (dari tiga kiri) Abdul Wahab dan Sharzede serta tetamu kehormat lain memperkenalkan Tiga Festival Satu Destinasi Sarawak.

KUCHING: Sarawak menjadi destinasi penganjuran tiga festival muzik antarabangsa yang akan berlangsung pada Julai tahun ini dengan menawarkan pakej dan harga tiket istimewa.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, ia buat julung kalinya tawaran kepada pencinta muzik di seluruh dunia.

Tiga festival antarabangsa itu, Festival Muzik Hutan Hujan Dunia (RWMF2019) Ke-22, Festival ‘Borneo Jazz Music 2019 Ke-14 dan Rainforest Fringe Festival.

Minister: Federal govt lacks sincerity in restoring status of Sarawak, Sabah

April 6, 2019

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah feels that the federal government lacks sincerity when it comes to restoring the status of Sarawak and Sabah.

He expresses his disappointment over the Bill seeking to amend Clause (2) of Article 1 of the Federal Constitution, regarding it as ‘unacceptable and totally ridiculous’ for such Bill to be presented to the MPs at the 11th hour.

“The MPs were not given enough time to study the Bill.

PH tidak ikhlas mengembalikan hak Sarawak

April 05, 2019

KUCHING: Kerajaan pusat yang dipimpin Pakatan Harapan (PH) tidak ikhlas untuk mengembalikan hak Sarawak dan Sabah mengikut semangat dalam Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63).

Perkara itu ditegaskan Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah ketika mengulas mengenai Rang Undang-Undang (RUU) Pindaan Perkara 1 (2) Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang dibacakan kali pertama di Dewan Rakyat, Khamis lepas.

"Secara peribadi saya amat kecewa dengan RUU ini, ketika kali pertama Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad mengumumkan untuk mengembalikan hak Sabah dan Sarawak, beliau tahu akan prinsip 'rakan kongsi' yang mana 'Borneo States' dan 'States of Malaya' merupakan entiti yang menubuhkan Persekutuan Malaysia ketika sambutan Hari Malaysia di Sabah tahun lepas.

Draf pindaan Perkara 1(2) Perlembagaan Persekutuan mesti diberi lebih awal: Karim

April 04, 2019

KUCHING: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karum Rahman Hamzah menegaskan bahawa draf pindaan Perkara 1(2) Perlembagaan Persekutuan mesti diberikan kepada ahli parlimen lebih awal.

Beliau menegaskan, ahli parlimen seharusnya diberikan draf berkenaan sekurang-kurangnya seminggu sebelum Rang Undang-Undang (RUU) pindaan dibentang seterusnya dibahaskan.

“Dalam kes biasa, sama ada persidangan parlimen atau Dewan Undangan Negeri, bagi mana-mana RUU sama ada baharu atau pindaan, draf mengenai pindaan mesti diberikan kepada ahli dewan sekurang-kurangnya seminggu sebelum bacaan pertama, kedua dan dibahas-kan, ujarnya.

Pembinaan infrastruktur di Taman Negara Gua Niah dilaksana tahun ini

April 04, 2014

KUCHING: Pembinaan infrastruktur merangkumi laluan dan jambatan gantung di Taman Negara Gua Niah akan mula dilaksanakan tahun ini selepas kabinet Sarawak meluluskan projek berkenaan.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata kementeriannya sedang menyiapkan kertas kabinet mengenai kos projek berkenaan.

“Ketua Menteri (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) telah mengarahkan agar pembinaan prasarana terutama laluan dan jambatan di Gua Niah dipercepatkan.

Sarawak terima agihan cukai pelancongan: Abdul Karim

April 04, 2019

BINCANG: Abdul Karim (dua kanan) mempengerusikan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Pemandu Pelancongan Negeri Sarawak, semalam. 

KUCHING: Agihan 50 peratus cukai pelancongan bagi tahun 2017 hingga Disember 2018 berjumlah RM2.58 juta telah diberikan kepada Sarawak.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata kerajaan persekutuan menerusi Kementerian Kewangan telah menunaikan janji untuk mengagihkan cukai pelancongan negeri-negeri termasuk Sarawak pada suku pertama tahun ini.

“Kita baharu sahaja menerima (agihan 50 peratus) cukai pelancongan bagi tahun 2017 hingga penghujung 2018. Walaupun jumlahnya tidak begitu besar, saya sangat gembira kerana kerajaan persekutuan telah menunaikan janjinya,” katanya.

Agihan cukai pelancongan, Sarawak terima RM2.58 juta

April 03, 2019

Abdul Karim ketika mempengerusikan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Pemandu Pelancongan Negeri Sarawak di sini, hari ini.

KUCHING: Sarawak sudah menerima agihan 50 peratus cukai pelancongan bagi tahun 2017 hingga Disember 2018 berjumlah RM2.58 juta.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata Kerajaan Persekutuan menerusi Kementerian Kewangan telah menunaikan janji untuk mengagihkan cukai pelancongan pada suku pertama tahun ini.

"Kita baharu sahaja menerima (agihan 50 peratus) cukai pelancongan bagi tahun 2017 hingga penghujung 2018.

Sarawak dijangka miliki satu lagi penerbangan terus

April 03, 2014

RASMI: Abdul Karim menandatangani replika plak sebagai simbolik pembukaan pejabat BESAC di Plaza Aurora di Kuching, semalam. Turut kelihatan Leo (dua kiri), Amelia (tiga kiri) dan Abang Karim (kanan) serta yang lain.

KUCHING: Sarawak dijangka mempunyai satu lagi penerbangan terus baharu iaitu Kuching-Jakarta, Indonesia.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, ia merupakan usaha Kerajaan Sarawak dalam menaik taraf perhubungan udaranya secara berperingkat.

“Saya baharu sahaja menerima panggilan daripada syarikat penerbangan AirAsia mengenai sektor penerbangan terus baharu iaitu Kuching-Jakarta.

Sports Minister lays out priorities on new facilities

April 2, 2019

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has decided to speak his mind on the provision of new facilities for the various sports.

“Not everyone will get their sports facilities approved, and it depends on how popular the sport is, and how much they have contributed to the success of that particular sport if they want to see the facilities approved,” he said when met at 6th Samarahan Bike Challenge on Sunday.

Abdul Karim, who is also the state assemblyman for Asajaya, revealed that almost all kinds of sports have own proposal to have their own complex.

80 cyclists from Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia compete in 6th edition of SBC

April 1, 2019

Abdul Karim hands over prizes to Mohd Faisal Izzudin Ahmad Joyo from ICC Club who won the Closed category (for Sarawak residents only).

KOTA SAMARAHAN: The 6th edition of Samarahan Bike Challenge(SBC) was a success when about 80 cyclists from Sarawak, West Malaysia and Indonesia participated in the race which was flagged off by the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah here yesterday.

SBC, which started in 2013 with a small group of cyclists, has grown to become a household name in the Sarawak cycling calendar.

From next year onwards, it will no longer be organised by the government agency in Samarahan District but by local cycling associations or clubs.