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.

Chong’s statement on hospital project in KL ‘misleading’ — Abdul Karim

November 26, 2018

KUCHING, Nov 26: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chief Chong Chieng Jen’s statement on Sarawak building a hospital in Kuala Lumpur is misleading in nature as healthcare is under the purview of the federal government.

Describing Chong as “unprofessional”, Abdul Karim said Chong should not equate the lack of healthcare in the state to the Sarawak government investing in a hospital project.

“As a deputy minister (of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs), Chong should know that healthcare in under the federal (government). The delay of hospital construction in Sarawak, such as the Sri Aman Hospital and Petra Jaya Hospital, are federal government projects. They have nothing to do with the Sarawak government.

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.

Abdul Karim doubts PH govt will be able to fulfil all manifesto pledges within 100 days

August 9, 2018

KUCHING: The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has seven more days to complete all the manifesto pledges which it promised to fulfil within the 100 days period of governance.

However, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah doubted that the PH federal government could do that in time as promised by PH in its election manifesto.

“Looking back, almost none of the pledges has been done in full,” he said.

Sarawak state Minister denies calling assemblymen 'beggars'

Jul 17, 2018

KUCHING: A state Minister in Sarawak denied on July 16 having called any state assemblyman a "beggar".

Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (pic) however, stressed that the phrase "beggars can't be choosers" which he uttered, referred to the opposition's action of questioning how much allocation was given out to them.

"Previously, we (the state government) did not provide any allocation to the opposition. However, this time around, we give the allocation equally. Do not question the quantum of the allocation," said Abdul Karim who is also the Asajaya assemblyman.

Chong should focus more on Sarawak’s welfare than on polls — Abdul Karim

July 17, 2018

SIBU: Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumerism Chong Chieng Jen should focus more on the welfare of Sarawak and its development, than on politics and elections, says Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

In this regard, Abdul Karim points out that there is a long way to go before the expiry of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN)’s present term.

“The DAP (Democratic Action Party) Sarawak only has politics in mind. YB Chong should get down to work as a deputy minister, and should not bother thinking about the state election – unless he is also thinking about wanting to be the Chief Minister,” he said yesterday in response to Chong’s statement about DAP Sarawak staking its claim on 29 out of the total 82 seats in the next Sarawak state election, which might be called in the first quarter of 2021.

Poser on quantum of funds for opposition lawmakers

July 15, 2018

SIBU: Opposition lawmakers in Sarawak should be happy that Sarawak government is contemplating giving them funds to manage their service centres.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said: “I believe what they will get is much, much more than what opposition members in Malayan states are given and where PH is the government of the day.”

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, was commenting on Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen’s call for Sarawak government to reciprocate what the Pakatan Harapan-led federal government has done for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) members of Parliament (MPs).

Abdul Karim: Why no Sarawak Malays, Dayaks in cabinet?

July 3, 2018

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has shared his disappointment with Sarawakians over the lack of local MPs in the federal cabinet.

He lamented there was also no representation from the Sarawak Malay/Muslim as well as the Iban/Bidayuh in the new cabinet.

“I am disappointed that Sarawak is given only one full minister’s post in the new cabinet. That reflects how unimportant Sarawak is to the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership.

Abdul Karim disappointed over lack of S’wakians in federal cabinet

July 2, 2018

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has shared his disappointment with the rest of the people in the state over the lack of Sarawakians in the federal cabinet.

He lamented that there was also no representation from the Sarawak Malay/Muslim communities as well as the Iban/Bidayuh in the new Cabinet.

“I am disappointed that Sarawak is given only one full Minister’s post in the new Cabinet. That reflect how unimportant Sarawak is to the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership.

“Sarawak being the biggest contributor in resources to the national coffer is repaid back with just one Cabinet member. This is a slap in the face for all Sarawakians,” he said.

Kerajaan Sarawak tak perlu fail kes, Petronas yang patut ke mahkamah

June 25, 2018

ERAT SILATURAHIM: Abdul Karim (dua kanan) bergambar dengan Chong (kanan), ADUN Pending, Violet Yong (dua kiri) dan bekas Ahli Parlimen Stampin, Julian tan (kiri) yang mengunjungi Majlis Rumah Terbuka Aidilfitrinya di PCC, Demak Laut semalam.

KUCHING: Kerajaan Sarawak tidak perlu memfailkan kes di Mahkamah Tinggi untuk menuntut hak ke atas minyak dan gas di negeri ini, kata Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Sebaliknya, Abdul Karim yang juga mempunyai latar belakang sebagai peguam berkata, Petroliam National Berhad (Petronas) yang perlu berbuat demikian.

Jelas beliau, ini kerana kerajaan negeri mempunyai undang-undang khas yang terpakai iaitu Ordinan Perlombongan Minyak Sarawak 1958 (OMO), di mana bagi Petronas, undang-undang itu adalah tidak terpakai.

Chong slammed over remarks on autonomy, devolution of power

May 21, 2018

SIBU: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has slammed state Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chong Chieng Jen for trying to hoodwink Sarawakians.

The former points out that autonomy and devolution of powers have nothing to do with Democratic Action Party (DAP) – of which Chong is the Sarawak chairman.

“Who is YB Chong and DAP trying to hoodwink? Autonomy and devolution of powers are about decentralisation of powers from the central government to the state government.

Don’t act like a minister, Abd Karim tells Chong

May 18, 2018

SIBU: State Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman  Chong Chieng Jen should be patient and wait for his appointment before giving policy direction.

In urging Chong to take things slowly yesterday, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pointed out that Chong is not even a minister or spokesman for PH, but acted like one.

He added that Chong must not act arrogant, thinking as if DAP is the government of the day in Sarawak.

“Who has appointed YB Chong and DAP to be the judge and the executor?

PBB not in any talks with PH

May 13, 2018

SIBU: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) is not in any negotiation with Pakatan Harapan (PH), whether at state or federal level.

In this regard, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah describes PBB as a ‘well-cultured party that has overcome many challenges in its last 50 years or so’.

He adds that PBB and its state partners – Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) – are still ‘the government of the day’ in Sarawak.

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.

Manifesto PH tiada kejujuran, kata Abdul Karim

March 10, 2018

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Tiada kejujuran dalam manifesto Pakatan Harapan (PH), kata Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Beliau memberitahu, manifesto PH itu sekadar janji kosong yang tidak mempunyai hala tuju yang telus.

“Saya boleh katakan manifesto PH ini tiada kejujuran dan terumbang-ambing terutamanya dalam memperjuangkan hak Sarawak.

‘Pouring cold water’ tantamount to disloyalty to the state

March 9, 2018

SIBU: State DAP and PKR are slammed for ‘pouring cold water’ on whatever efforts are put forth by the chief minister and state BN to claim the state’s rights which have been eroded over the years.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president, said it was sad to see these opposition leaders taking such a stand.

He was reacting to the press statements from state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen and state PKR vice chairman See Chee How.

Chong tarik balik dakwaan terhadap Morshidi ekoran usul dibentang Karim

November 17, 2017

KUCHING: Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) semalam menarik balik dakwaan ke atas Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Sarawak Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani ekoran satu usul dibentangkan Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Karim membentangkan usul meminta Dewan menggantung Chong daripada menghadiri Persidangan DUN yang berbaki sehari, selepas pengerusi DAP Sarawak itu menggunakan perkataan ‘imbuhan’ (gratification) di dalam Dewan ke atas Morshidi.

“Saya menarik balik perkataan ‘imbuhan’ tetapi persoalannya ialah semua permohonan untuk status ‘penduduk tetap’ masih di atas meja setiausaha kerajaan negeri, kekal,” katanya ketika menjawab Speaker DUN Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar yang memintanya menarik balik perkataan itu.

Sarawak cuba berunding dengan Kerajaan Persekutuan untuk lebih banyak hasil Cukai Pelancongan

November 16, 2017

KUCHING: Kementerian Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan akan berusaha mendapatkan lebih lagi hasil daripada Cukai Pelancongan negara kepada negeri Sarawak.

Menterinya Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, pihaknya sedia maklum bahawa hasil Cukai Pelancongan akan diberi sama rata sebanyak 10 peratus kepada setiap negeri dalam Malaysia.

“Walaupun demikian, kita sedang cuba berunding dengan kerajaan persekutuan bagi mendapatkan lebih banyak lagi hasil Cukai Pelancongan negara untuk Sarawak,” katanya.

‘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’.

Minister not adopting any school

September 5, 2017

SIBU: Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah wants all school students in his constituency to be proficient in English.

However, he does not plan to adopt any particular school in his constituency for the English proficiency programme, saying he treats all the schools as ‘equal’.

“I would want all school students in my constituency to be proficient in English and not just focussing on one ‘adopted school’.