‘Unfulfilled promises by PH, choice of candidate among reasons for BN’s win in Cameron Highlands’

January 27, 2019

SIBU: Unfulfilled promises by Pakatan Harapan (PH) to voters and the choice of candidate were among the many reasons for Barisan Nasional (BN)’s win in the just concluded Cameron Highlands parliamentary by-election, said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Abdul Karim expressed this personal view today when asked for the factors contributing to BN’s success in retaining the seat, which it held since 1974 general election.

“There are many reasons why voters gave their votes to BN in Cameron Highlands despite the landslide win by PH in the last GE.

Kerajaan PH bertanggungjawab teruskan projek dalam pelaksanaan di Sarawak

July 24, 2018

SERIAN: Kerajaan baharu persekutuan pimpinan Pakatan Harapan (PH) bertanggungjawab untuk memastikan projek-projek yang sedang dalam pelaksanaan di Sarawak diteruskan dan dipenuhi seperti yang telah dijanjikan.

Menteri Pelancongan, Keseniaan, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata banyak perkara yang telah dijanjikan oleh kerajaan terdahulu iaitu Barisan Nasional (BN) sebelum Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-14 (PRU14).

Antaranya, Lebuh Raya Pan Borneo, pembinaan hospital, jambatan dan banyak lagi projek lain yang dijanjikan kepada rakyat negeri ini.

PRS, Masing should not dictate GPS structure, setup’

June 18, 2018

SIBU: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing should not dictate on how Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) structure and setup should be.

According to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, GPS has just been set up and yet to be fine-tuned.

“GPS is even not registered with Registrar of Societies (ROS) yet. Why use the media to put in your terms and conditions?

“This are matters that are supposed to be discussed in close-door (meetings) among ‘members’ who aspire to be members and a part of this coalition,” he said today.

Abdul Karim slams Ku Nan, claims Sarawak BN was 'never treated fairly'

June 15, 2018

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak state minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has slammed Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor for suggesting that Sarawak Barisan Nasional was not a good comrade.

Tengku Adnan, who is Barisan secretary-general, had told the New Straits Times that the state coalition had failed to uphold the spirit of comradeship.

“I expected this to happen, even though the spirit of comradeship dictates that when we are down, all our friends should stay together and fight for the cause, nation and the people,” he was quoted as saying by the daily.

Wong, others can also manage and run a state government, not just DAP!

June 11, 2018

SIBU: Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei must have faith in the Sarawak government’s administration with regards to devolution of power and autonomy.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah in saying this highlighted the fact that the Sarawak government has been given very good rating by credit rating agencies such as Standard and Poor, and RAM, among others.

“King Wei must have faith in the state government. Administering a state government is not like administering a coffee shop or a household.

Sarawak minister cries foul over RTM news blackout

25 May 2018

KUCHING, May 25 — A member of the Sarawak Cabinet claims the state government has been unfairly treated by national broadcaster, RTM, after Pakatan Harapan (PH) took over Putrajaya following the 14th general election.

Questioning RTM’s sense of responsibility in nation building, he said state ministers were not given any coverage and information about their programmes were not disseminated.

“Personally, I think this should not be the way. If our chief minister or other ministers from Barisan Nasional (BN) have functions that are apolitical, RTM should be impartial and air the news,” Abdul Karim said.

Cooperation between federal-state govts can still be worked out – Abd Karim

May 13, 2018

KUCHING: There is a possibility that some level of cooperation between the state Barisan Nasional (BN) government and Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government could still be worked out.

PBB vice president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, however, stressed that the rumours saying the state BN was joining PH were just that (rumours).

As such, he called on state PH leaders namely state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen and state PKR chairman Baru Bian not to be jumpy and panicky over such speculations of state BN parties, especially PBB, wanting to cross over to PH.

Karim sokong Rubiah pertahan kerusi Parlimen Kota Samarahan

April 18, 2018

SIMBOLIK: Karim ditemani Rubiah menyempurnakan simbolik perasmian mula kerja pembinaan masjid baharu Kampung Tanjung Bundong.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Naib Presiden Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menyatakan sokongan padu kepada penyandang kerusi Parlimen Kota Samarahan Rubiah Wang untuk menjadi calon Barisan Nasional (BN) pada Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-14 (PRU14) ini.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan itu berkata, untuk itu jentera parti di Parlimen Kota Samarahan harus memberi sokongan padu untuk memastikan kubu kuat itu kekal milik BN.

“Saya memberi sokongan kepada beliau untuk menjadi calon sekali lagi untuk mewakili Parlimen Kota Samarahan pada PRU14 ini.

Abdul Karim: Mawan knows ground sentiment in Saratok

January 26, 2018

KUCHING: Tan Sri William Mawan, the incumbent Saratok MP, has never expressed his desire to leave Barisan Nasional, says senior Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leader Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“He knows the ground sentiments in Saratok well and, as rightly said by him, whoever aspires to lobby for that seat must have the ground support.

“It would be pointless to contest the seat just because the seat is given based on the ‘quota’ as agreed under the BN coalition, but only to lose the seat to the opposition,” said Abdul Karim through a press statement yesterday.

‘Close ranks to recapture Sibu, Lanang’

December 2, 2017

SIBU: State Barisan Nasional leaders are echoing the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s recent statement that there is a fighting chance for BN to wrest two opposition strongholds - Sibu and Lanang - this parliamentary election if Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and United People’s Party (UPP) could close ranks and work out an amicable solution to their apparent division before the 14th General Election (GE14).

The Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sport Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told TheBorneoPost that in order to win any seat or win any election, the party contesting must be able to maintain and secure unity of its members and supporters.

“I fully agree that to win Sibu and Lanang, BN parties SUPP, PBB, PRS and PDP as well as parties linked to BN like UPP in those seats must be able to unite their members and supporters and make sure they support the BN’s candidates.”

‘Slamming of Umno-PAS pact by opposition reeks of hypocrisy’

October 15, 2017

SIBU: DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen and state PKR chairman Baru Bian should not become the ‘stooges of unhealthy politics of the west’, and that they need to relook at themselves before questioning Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN).

In making this statement, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the condemnation by Chong and Baru of the purported Umno-PAS alliance only showed their hypocrisy, in that PAS was once under the Pakatan pact.

He recalled that when PAS was in Pakatan, it was regarded as a loyal partner and nothing was mentioned about it being ‘an evil party’.

No issue in Umno-PAS pact, says Abd Karim

October 13, 2017

State minister welcomes Umno’s overture to PAS if it brings unity, strengthens Barisan Nasional

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is all for any move that unites Malaysians.

Hence, he saw no issue in United Malays National Organisation (Umno) combining forces with Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) in Peninsular Malaysia, saying it will make Barisan Nasional (BN) stronger in the coming general election.

“Anything that can bring strength and unity to BN and Malaysia is very much welcome and if this electoral pact could serve that purpose, then why not?” he said when contacted yesterday.

Karim okay with Khairy's suggestion

June 12, 2016

SIMUNJAN: The tiff between Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz and Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah should be resolved in the spirit of Barisan Nasional, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. 

The Barisan Youth chairman said he believed both individuals should sit down to resolve their differences, adding that it is important the solution should be based on the spirit of Barisan comradeship. 

It was reported that Nazri had labelled Abdul Karim, who is Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, as a "greenhorn" over his remarks on the implementation of tourism tax. 

"I just discussed the issue with Sarawak BN Youth chairman Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, and I hope it will be resolved in the Barisan spirit of musyawarah (discussion). We have the principle of comradeship and consensus, and that the issue should not be extended to the media," said Khairy. 

He said that he believes the issue will be settled as it is a policy matter which can be discussed between two ministers. 

Abdul Karim foresees Pakatan Harapan Sarawak breaking up soon

March 21, 2017

SIBU: It is just a matter of time before members of the newly formed Pakatan Harapan Sarawak scramble for seats and fight each other as they have different agendas and goals.

Hence, whether it is Pakatan Rakyat or Pakatan Harapan or Pakatan with or without PAS or Pakatan with or without Amanah makes no difference to Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) or the people of Sarawak, said Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“It is just a loose pact of political parties which have separate agendas and goals in their struggle. 

This loose pact is just meant for the 14th general election…unlike BN, where the coalition is permanent and having a common BN struggle for the people’s wellbeing and the nation.

“Pakatan pact can be easily summarised as a pack of political parties sleeping together but having different dreams. 

Karim wants DAP and Chong do homework

March 14, 2017

KUCHING: PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told DAP and its State Chairman Chong Chieng Jen to do some homework first before saying that the Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg’s warning to all state BN assemblypersons as a mere rhetoric.

He said yesterday the opposition was just good in making noises, which was why voters knew they were not capable of solving their problems.

“We have seen many elections in Sarawak. The fact that in every election contested, the voters voted for BN shows that the people are happy with BN and the candidates that BN placed in those constituencies. 

Jamilah’s landslide win a ‘thank you’ to Adenan, says party

PETALING JAYA: Jamilah Anu’s landslide victory in yesterday’s Tanjong Datu by-election was the constituents’ way of saying “thank you” to her late husband, former Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem, said a senior PBB leader.

Speaking to FMT, PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah congratulated Jamilah who contested the seat previously held by Adenan until his death last month.

Adenan was Tanjong Datu’s elected representative for more than nine years, having first won the seat in the ninth Sarawak state election in May 2006.

“The big win is also a clear manifestation and endorsement of Tanjong Datu voters towards Sarawak BN,” Karim said.

He added that although BN knew they would win the seat, what wasn’t expected was the margin of victory, with BN getting 96.5% of the votes.

BN/PBB hopes Tanjung Datu by-election uncontested

January 20, 2017

KUCHING: Assistant minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hopes to see Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) win Tanjung Datu uncontested in the Feb 18 by-election.

He said winning the seat — which is vacant following the demise of Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem — uncontested “is a very good way to finish it off.”

The Assistant Minister for Housing said: “From what we have seen since the passing of Datuk Patinggi (Adenan), you can see he is very much loved by the people.”

“We know it is democracy and that anybody can contest. But then as a sign of last farewell for his area, we’d love to see (BN-PBB) win uncontested,” he said when met by reporters after the swearing-in ceremony at the State Legislative Assembly Complex here yesterday.

Karim, who is also Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, has absolute confidence that BN would not just retain Tanjung Datu but register a big win if there is a contest.

‘BN unperturbed by sensationalised issues in the next election’

December 5, 2016

SIBU: The issues sensationalised by the opposition will not affect Barisan Nasional (BN)’s chances of winning in the 14th general election (GE14), in that the current ruling coalition has been managing such issues quite well.

According to Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, there is no country or political system that is ever spared from crises and issues – each has experienced its own ups and downs.

His remarks came following views by political analysts that BN would retain power in the next election.

Specifically, Asia Institute of University of Tasmania director Prof James Chin had said that BN would win in GE14 as the decisive and majority votes would still come from the rural areas.

“At the rate we are going, I have full confidence that BN will still be in power after GE14. Definitely there’s unhappiness here and there, as well as issues cropping up that are being sensationalised by the opposition, but that is normal.

“We just need to manage such crises well and strive to instil confidence in the general public. So far, Malaysia has done pretty well and despite issues like 1MDB, the economic outlook for Malaysia is still much better than most other countries.

“It is on this note that I feel the people will still vote for BN. The opposition is much needed as well, for checks and balances,” Abdul Karim told The Borneo Post yesterday.

SWP may apply to join BN if subscribed to the struggle

November 16, 2016

 

SIBU: A PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says any party may apply to join BN if they subscribed to BN’s struggle.

“However, before applying, one needs to see whether their act could strengthen BN or it is done for some personal agenda," said Abdul Karim in reference to a claim by Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) that it has sent an application to join the coalition.

He added: “There are already four BN parties in Sarawak and I am unsure having another one would be an appropriate action.”

Meanwhile the State BN Secretary General Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi disclosed that he had not received any application from the party.

“(Furthermore) we have not discussed the matter,” Dr Rundi, who is Public Utilities Minister, told The Borneo Post yesterday when asked if he had received the application and on the status of the application.

In a press conference here last Saturday, SWP president Munan Laja claimed that they had sent the application but were yet to receive any feedback from BN.

Nonetheless, Munan was hopeful their application would be accepted as the party’s intention was to work with the BN in developing the state.

Rumour about local PKR leaders is no surprise to state BN

October 15, 2016

SIBU: The ‘hot rumour’ about three local PKR leaders leaving the peninsular-based party to join a local party – Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) presents no surprise to the state Barisan Nasional (BN).

It is said that these PKR leaders want a stronger voice, seeing that they could not do so if they stick to the same platform.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah wasn't surprised with the rumours stressing that ‘anything is possible in politics’.

“Who would imagine an ex-Umno and BN chairman Tun (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) is now ‘hugging’ his nemesis (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim), (Lim) Kit Siang and (Lim) Guan Eng?

“It is the same with Sarawak PKR leaders. We could see them out of PKR – who knows one day, they might be sitting with us in BN,” said Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman and also a supreme council of PBB – the state BN backbone party.

Adding on, he reckoned that state PKR leaders would need to relook their struggle.

Abdul Karim also pointed out that what Sarawak and Sarawakians needed and hoped for now would be for political parties and leaders to fight for the return of state rights, which appeared to be diminishing over the years.