Best to wait till next year

July 6, 2017

Brooke (centre) presents Abdul Karim (second right) with a memento during the 137th anniversary remembrance and Lan Ngabang Raya joint celebration at Fort Margherita.

Abdul Karim says not time to implement tourism tax yet, several issues yet to be ironed out

KUCHING: The best time to implement tourism tax in Sarawak is early next year, says Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Following a discussion with their Sabah counterparts, Abdul Karim said July 1 was not practical as there are still a number of questions to be answered such as how the taxes would be distributed to East Malaysia, and how the mechanism would work.

“We have to give due consideration to forward booking. We have come up with all these good packages, hoping for tourists to come. 

"They have bought the promotion that we offered via Matta fair and so on. 

"And now, we want to tax them? That’s not good,” he said.

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.

Karim welcomes proposed amendment to gambling law

February 17, 2017

SIBU: Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah welcomed the news on the proposed amendment of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 to curb online gambling.

“However, I have yet to study this proposed amendment and do hope it could curtail online gambling,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

The assistant minister was commenting on the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s recent statement that the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 would be amended to combat online gambling.

 

Meanwhile the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the move to amend the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 is long overdue as there is a need to add more bite to the Act with gambling becoming very sophisticated these days.

He also pointed out that there is a need to update the Act to cope with the technological advances as it is difficult to check and trace online gambling.

State BN always ready for election

September 6, 2016 

PBB is always ready for an election, says its Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“In fact, PBB machinery has always been actively running activities on the ground, irrespective of whether there’s an election coming or not,” said Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, to a local English daily.

He was commenting on a Bernama report that quoted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as urging BN components to gear up for GE14.

Meanwhile the PBB Secretary General Datuk Dr Stepten Rundi Utom also concurred with Zahid that Barisan Nasional should "make early preparations" for the general election.

He pointed out the present parliamentary term expires in 2018 which is about two years from now.

However, the Secretary General was confident that PBB had no problem to get ready for the GE as the party's election machinery was still intact and fresh from the recent state election.

SPDP revealed that it was heeding Ahmad Zahid’s call and actually had been making preparations.

Galeri: Majlis Perasmian Sejiwa Senada Samarahan 2016

April 16, 2016

Sarawak BN leaders question PBS’ motive in spreading wings beyond its shores

November 16, 2015

SIBU: Sarawakians are in the good hand of state-based parties under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, hence there is no need for outside party/s to provide ‘advice’.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said yesterday Sarawakians are standing solidly behind Adenan’s leadership.

Dr Rundi was asked to comment on the media report of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), with the green light from the Registrar of Societies (ROS), spreading its wings to Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

PBS president Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan in his speech at the party’s delegates conference had requested that PBS’ application to expand to the peninsula and Sarawak be looked into.

“Whatever their (PBS) reasons are, this is a democratic country and they are free to decide as they deem fit, subject to ROS approval.

“But as far as Sarawak and Sarawakians are concerned – we are confident that we are in the good hand of Sarawak-based parties and we trust the leadership of our YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan and will stand steadfastly behind him.

“And I don’t think we need any party/s outside Sarawak to tell us what is best for us and what to do for the better future for Sarawakians,” Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), told The Borneo Post.

Zahid to Muslims: Give respect to earn respect

September 26, 2015

Zahid, flanked by Abdul Karim (second right) and Abang Johari, presents the meat to a villager, as Rubiah (right) looks on.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Muslims should refer the Quran when it comes to maintaining good relationship with the non-Muslims.

In pointing this out, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reminded Muslims in the country to use their wisdom in dealing with any tension involving racial and religious issues.

“Such tense situation would not happen if Muslims would truly follow the teachings from the Quran.

Cyber gambling rampant

August 1, 2015

Abdul Karim says this social threat springing up everywhere, calls for immediate action to curb its growth

The councils and police should not be in cahoots with operators of these outlets. How could they not know these outlets are all over the place.

SIBU: Cyber gambling seems to be getting from bad to worse, despite pledges by police and local authorities to decimate this social menace.

This was said by Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who said cyber gambling outlets were springing up everywhere and many youths addicted to cyber gambling ended up in financial difficulties.

“I am happy to see that one day after being appointed as Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi), he has given a statement about the menace of illegal gambling being rampant in our society.

“Likewise, (Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment) Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan also commented on cyber gambling, which is causing problems in our society,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Recently, Bernama reported Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as instructing police to boost the fight against illegal gambling activities in the country as efforts in the past four months seemed to be ineffective.

The newly-appointed Deputy Prime Minister reportedly said such activities must be ‘fought 100 per cent’ and that he would come down hard on those who tried to protect gambling activities, including police personnel.

Abdul Karim appealed to local government enforcement authorities and police to come down hard on these outlets, saying: “It’s really ruining our youths’ life.”

Abdul Karim: Setting up district-level MCPF the right move

March 31, 2015

SIBU: Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah praised the effort to set up the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) in all districts nationwide yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, was commenting on Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that MCPF would set up branches in districts nationwide to curb crimes involving juveniles aged between seven and 14 years old.

“I do agree that crimes are being committed by those in the younger age group, and though it has not reached a critical stage, this is something for us to ponder and address because these young offenders will be getting older and we do not want them to continue their bad habits,” he added.

He pointed out that schools, NGOs (non-governmental bodies), and especially parents, had a big role to play in moulding youths so that they would not end up a menace to society.

“They must be guided to be responsible citizens even when they are still young,” he stressed.

“Hopefully all members of society could play their part as this cannot be addressed by the police or schools,” added Abdul Karim.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reportedly said crimes involving juveniles rose despite a drop in the 2014 crime index to 12.6 per cent since the Prevention of Crime Act 2013 was introduced.

BN masih guna pakai kempen ortodoks

October 24, 2014

SIBU: Sistem penyampaian secara peribadi terutama terhadap pengundi luar bandar menjadikan Barisan Nasional (BN) Negeri semakin kuat.

Beberapa pemimpin BN Negeri percaya penggunaan kaedah ortodoks seperti berkempen dari rumah ke rumah bertemu dengan peng-undi, perhimpunan, banting, poster, radio dan iklan TV masih lagi diperlukan.

Setiausaha Agung BN Ne-geri Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi berkata, sentuhan peribadi dengan rakyat di luar bandar masih lagi relevan.

BN to maintain traditional campaigning in next election

October 22, 2014

SIBU: Several state BN leaders believe the use of traditional methods of campaigning like going house to house to meet voters, rallies, posters and banners, radio and TV adverts are still needed to reach a wider segment of society and voters.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said personal touch with the people in particular rural folk remained their pillar of strength.

“It is not about changing or shifting our strategy, but a matter of adapting to the needs of the new aspirants, and, of course, we are looking at every angle holistically in order to win people’s support,” he said yesterday.

"Demi Rakyat' is meant to hoodwink rakyat - Abdul Karim

February 22, 2013

SIBU: The opposition’s manifesto under the slogan ‘Demi Rakyat’ is a discreet attempt to mislead, confuse and ‘sugar-coat’ the people with more empty promises prior to the impending 13th general election.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pointed out yesterday that many of their promises pledged prior to the last polls in 2008 had remained unfulfilled.

“The many promises the opposition pledged before the last general election, like free water in Selangor, monetary help to the poor and destitute and affordable housing, have remained empty promises.

“Now, more ‘sugar-coated carrots’ are being dangled to hoodwink the people.

“I hope the people know that opposition can bring nothing good to them,” said Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Youth Development.

“If even at this stage the opposition are willing to lie and confuse the people, I don’t know what is going to happen if they happen to be in power.

“The people must never let themselves be pawned by them.”