Galeri: Malay Heritage Festival 2018

October 29, 2018

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg receives a wooden ‘Perahu Tambang’ replica from Temenggong Mohd Helmi Mohd Gol after he launches the Malay Heritage Festival 2018 last night. Also seen are Ministry of Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu.

Galeri: State-level ‘Youth Day’ celebration in Betong

October 29, 2017

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (standing front, fifth right) joins (standing front, from right) Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu and his father former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah in a photo-call with the youths. Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan is standing front, at second left.

Adenan coy on Uggah taking over Bukit Saban seat

January 25, 2016

Jabu gives the thumbs-up while posing for a group photo with his wife Dato Sri Empiang Jabu (fourth right), Dr Rundi (fifth right) and others. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: Election fever in the state is beginning to heat up as rumours are swelling that there is a possibility Betong MP Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas might swap seat with Bukit Saban assemblyman Robert Lawson Chuat in the coming state election.

However, PBB president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem was decidedly coy on the matter and merely hinted that there was a possibility that this might happen.

“There is always the possibility but it does not only apply to the state elected representative for Bukit Saban,” he told a press conference after chairing the PBB Supreme Council meeting at the party’s headquarters yesterday.

This led reporters to ask if other MPs from Sarawak including Petra Jaya MP Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof might contest during the state election.

Not one to be persuaded so easily, Adenan, who is also Chief Minister, quipped: “Your guess is as good as mine.”

The rumour mill has been on overdrive for the past two weeks as there are whispers from the grassroots that Uggah’s move to contest the state seat is to pave the way for him to become the next deputy chief minister.

Another rumour heard from the grapevine was that Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang might vacate his Layar seat to make way for his son Gerald Rentap.

Karim supports proposal for state minister to oversee JPNIN

September 21, 2015

SIBU: Placing a state minister or assistant minister to oversee the National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN) will ensure that activities and programmes rolled out are in line with needs of the state leadership.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this yesterday in support of JPNIN Sarawak director Dirwana Azool’s proposal.

Dirwana made the suggestion after launching the‘Unity Week’ cum closing of ‘Kibar Jalur Gemilang’ campaign at the civic centre in Kota Samarahan on Saturday.

“I fully support the Sarawak JPNIN director’s suggestion for a state minister or assistant minister be appointed to oversee the department’s role in Sarawak.

“This is a federal outfit whose task and responsibilities require them to be on the ground most of the time.

“A state minister being assigned to oversee them as proposed will erase all doubts, sensitivity and suspicion of their roles on the ground,” said Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman.

He added that placing a state minister to oversee them would also ensure that their activities and programmes met the requirements and expectations of the state leadership.

YB Fong should not utter words that tantamount to treason -Karim

April 24, 2015

KUCHING: Sixteen questions and 20 supplementary questions were answered by a minister and assistant ministers during the question-and-answer session of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday.

All of them came from Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives except for five posed by See Chee How (PKR-Batu Lintang) and Fong Pau Teck (IND-Pujut).

The one-hour session went well without bickering while the only minister taking questions was Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, who replied on behalf of the chief minister.

Fong asked the chief minister about the number of Bangladeshi and Indonesian workers in the state. After Jabu responded to his question, Fong further queried how many out of the numbers provided were illegal workers.

Maintaining his cool, Jabu said the figures he told the House were based on the records of the Immigration Department, which would not indicate the number of those entering the state illegally.

When pressed, Jabu reiterated: “We do not know the figure on the illegal workers, that is why I asked Pujut to tell us.”

Earlier, instead of posing his question the usual way by reading out the number, Abu Seman Jahwie (BN-Jemoreng) stressed the importance of being given a hearty answer.

Galeri: Chinese New Year Visit

First Day

SUPP Open House at the SUPP headquarters in Kuching

At the residence of Australian Business Council Chairman Roger Chan in Kuching

Bridging the gap after a 14-year wait

February 7, 2015

Jabu (second right) with (from right) Manyin, Fadillah, Nancy, Abdul Karim, Ali and others at the earth-breaking ceremony.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Work on the Batang Samarahan Bridge has finally started after a 14-year wait and is scheduled to be completed in 36 months.

By January 2018, people of Kota Samarahan as well as Asajaya and Sadong Jaya will no longer have to spend an hour on the road travelling between these areas.

The RM93.88 million project is set to benefit some 240,000 residents in the division, boosting socio-economic activities in the areas concerned with the new shortened travelling distance.

According to Minister of Works Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, the new bridge spanning 774 metres complies with the British Standard 5400 code of practice.

While it is a dual carriage bridge, a three-km pedestrian path connected to the bridge will also be built.

At the earth-breaking ceremony yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said he hoped the contractor and supervisor of the project would make certain that work on the bridge will be carried out as planned.

“Residents here have been waiting for this bridge to happen for over 14 years. Therefore, we hope to see full commitment dedicated to this project.”

Penantian lebih 14 tahun berakhir

February 7, 2015

PENANTIAN BERAKHIR: Projek pembinaan Jambatan Batang Samarahan kini bermula dan dijangka siap Januari 2018.

KUCHING: Penantian lebih 14 tahun penduduk Bahagian Samarahan berakhir apabila pelaksanaan projek jambatan di Batang Samarahan yang ditunggu-tunggu kini bermula.

Majlis pecah tanah pembinaan Jambatan Batang Samarahan itu disempurnakan Timbalan Ketua Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang mewakili Ketua Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem di tapak pembinaan, Kampung Baru, Kota Samarahan dekat sini semalam.

Menurut Adenan, pembinaan jambatan itu sudah pastinya akan membawa banyak perubahan dari segi ekonomi dan sosial rakyat di kawasan berkenaan.

“Kerajaan Sarawak yakin pelaksanaan Jambatan Batang Samarahan ini apabila siap kelak bakal memberi impak besar dari segi sosial dan ekonomi kepada pembangunan di bahagian ini. “Malah, jambatan ini bakal memanfaatkan kira-kira 270,000 penduduk di Bahagian Samarahan bagi menghubungkan Kota Samarahan dengan Asajaya dan Sadong Jaya,” katanya menerusi teks ucapan yang dibaca oleh Jabu pada majlis itu.

Beliau memberitahu, masalah perkhidmatan feri yang dialami penduduk di situ kerana hanya disediakan mengikut pasang surut air akan dapat diatasi seterusnya menjimatkan masa perjalanan.

“Selain itu, masalah pengangkutan terutamanya penghantaran bahan mentah atau industri tidak lagi terganggu,” tambahnya.

Mengulas lanjut mengenai projek itu, Adenan menjelaskan tempoh pembinaan jambatan berkenaan adalah selama 36 bulan dan dijangka siap Januari 2018 dengan kos bernilai RM93.88 juta.

Galeri: Majlis Perasmian Pecah Tanah Jambatan Batang Samarahan

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menyampaikan ucapan.

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menyampaikan ucapan.

Galeri: State-level Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri 2014

August 29, 2014

Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (fourth left) lights a bamboo cannon to symbolically launch the state-level Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri as (from left) Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Toh Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, Puan Sri Dato Jamilah Anu, Dato Sri Empiang, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (right) look on.

Karim receives a commemorative medal from State Government for his contributions to Sarawak

July 23, 2014

Jamilah receives the medal from Adenan

KUCHING: The state presented 104 Golden Jubilee Commemorative medals yesterday in connection with Sarawak’s 50th anniversary of independence. 

Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem presented the medals during an investiture ceremony at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex in Petra Jaya.

Among the recipients were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun; Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim; Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri.

Fellow medal recipients were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala and Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof were unable to attend the ceremony.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi also received the medal.

Adenan presents the medal to Empiang

Also receiving their medals from Adenan were his wife Puan Sri Datuk Jamilah Anu, and Dato Sri Empiang Jabu – the wife of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang.

State assistant ministers who received the medal were Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Datuk Mong Dagang, Datuk Stephen Rundi Utom, Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Liwang Lagang, Robert Lawson Chuat and Rosey Yunus.

The Golden Jubilee Commemorative Medals were presented in conjunction with the 50th anniversary celebration of Sarawak’s independence within Malaysia to those who had contributed to and sacrificed towards the development of the state after independence.

Galeri: Youth Day Celebration 2013

May 26, 2013

Tan Sri Morshidi Ghani, Abdul Karim Hamzah, Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Tan Sri William Mawan, Datuk Dr. Stephen Rundi and Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi giving the thumbs up after the launching. 

Peter John Jaban is a chameleon - Karim

June 11, 2012

“Hahaha … knowing this guy, who is like a chameleon, do you believe his words?" Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said deejay Peter John Jaban was free to do whatever he wished within the limits of his rights and freedom.

“This is a free and democratic country, and everyone is free to do whatever he or she pleases. But unlike anarchy, there are laws and regulations. Democracy is not about unfettered freedom. There are various shades and colours of the concept of freedom and democracy based on the wishes of the majority,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday.

Wan Junaidi, who is also Santubong MP, said this when asked to comment on Jaban’s statement that he had decided not to return to London where he had been working with foreign-funded Radio Free Sarawak (RFS) since 2010.

Wan Junaidi opined that Jaban’s struggles for his people were noble and honourable, adding that both were high sounding and provide the moral high ground, and advised him to stay clear of underhand tactics.

“One should not resort to underhand and irregular tactics and ways. Oblique minds and bias judgment would deprive one of the nobility of struggle and moral high ground one placed him or herself on. Therefore, everyone must observe the law and moral provisions in order to achieve noble objectives.”

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Housing Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, when contacted, responded: “Hahaha … knowing this guy, who is like a chameleon, do you believe his words?

“I won’t be surprised if he had been sacked by Clare (Clare Rewcastle-Brown) of RFS or that he had gone missing in action because he didn’t get what he was expecting there.”

Jabu and Karim dismisses report of Penan incest

May 16, 2012

“To me the report is malicious, degrading and an insult to the Penan and the native communities.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said the story by Metro Ahad stating that the Penans practise incest and marry immediate family members is only an assumption and a ‘sensationalised’ piece of news.

He said he did not believe the news, adding that it was only a game of certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs) out to manipulate the Penans.

“The news is only an assumption, and I don’t rely on assumption,” he said when met at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) lobby yesterday.

He called for a full investigation into the report to determine if there were elements of criminality.

The Minister of Rural Development pointed out that there were still people and NGOs who would not accept what the government had done to help the Penan.

He said the Penan were receptive to development, but there were small groups being manipulated by certain NGOs.

Asked whether the Penan community should send a protest to the newspaper, Jabu said it was up to the community.

New ministry, seven new faces in Sarawak cabinet reshuffle

September 29, 2011

KUCHING: The state cabinet reshuffle that will take effect on Friday will see a new ministry being created, five ministries renamed and seven new faces including a woman to be appointed as assistant ministers.

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the new ministry would be named the Welfare, Women and Family Development Ministry, to be headed by Datuk Fatimah Abdullah and assisted by two new assistant ministers who are also new faces, Rosey Yunus and Robert Lawson Chuat Vincent.

“The other new faces as assistant ministers are Julaihi Narawi, Abdul Karim Hamzah, Datu Len Talif Salleh, Dr Jerip Susil and Liwan Lagang,” he said, adding that the seven would be sworn in on Friday.

Julaihi will be appointed as Industrial Development Assistant Minister (Investment and Promotion) and Rural Development Assistant Minister, and Abdul Karim as Housing Assistant Minister and Social Development Assistant Minister (Youth Development).

Datu Len Talif will be appointed as Resource Planning and Environment Assistant Minister (Environment) and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Technical Education Promotion), Dr Jerip as Local Government and Community Development Assistant Minister (Public Health), and Liwan as Social Development Assistant Minister (Culture and Heritage).

“All the full ministers will be retained and some of their ministries renamed,” he said.

The five ministries renamed include the Social Development and Urbanisation Ministry, which is now known as Social Development Ministry and headed by Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom and Environment and Public Health Ministry, now known as Local Government and Community Development Ministry, headed by Sarawak United People’s Party deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.

Pembangkang sukakan publisiti murahan

July 1, 2011

SANTAI: Kelihatan ADUN-ADUN yang baru menyanyi ketika majlis makan malam anjuran Kelab Penyokong BN.

KUCHING: Pengerusi Ke­lab Penyokong Barisan Nasional (BN) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menyi­fatkan tindakan pihak pem­bangkang keluar dari dewan pada hari terakhir Persi­dangan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) yang baru selesai sebagai publisiti murahan.

Katanya, tindakan mereka adalah sekadar untuk meraih perhatian daripada pihak media.

“Pada hari terakhir mereka (pembangkang) terpaksa membuat seolah-olah pub­lisiti murahan di mana mere­ka bertindak meninggalkan dewan sebanyak dua kali untuk mendapat perhatian media.

“Mereka meninggalkan dewan ketika Timbalan Ketua Menteri menyampaikan uca­pan penggulungan dan ketika ADUN Tarat menyampaikan ucapan penggulungan, mere­ka turut keluar,” katanya lanjut.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap pada majlis makan malam anjuran kelab tersebut, dekat sini, malam kelmarin.

Sementara itu, beliau menyifatkan Persidangan DUN yang lepas telah diadakan dengan jayanya biarpun dengan kehadiran lebih ramai pihak pembangkang.

“Semua orang menanti (DUN) dengan penuh minat kerana pihak pembangkang berkata, inilah masanya untuk mereka menghentam kita.

Walkout a publicity stunt — Karim

July 1, 2011

KUCHING: The ‘walkout’ by DAP assemblypersons on the final day of State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Wednesday is nothing but a publicity stunt.

According to the chairman of Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the opposition’s action was only meant to gain publicity.

All 12 DAP assemblypersons abruptly staged a walkout when Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu delivered his winding-up speech.

Three other opposition members from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) however stayed in the chamber.

The group, led by Wong Ho Leng (Bukit Assek) later told the media that they decided to leave the chamber when the minister refused to take any clarification from them.

At the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club dinner on Wednesday, Karim said: “The walkout by DAP is something they do to gain publicity…it is just a publicity stint (by DAP).

“With their action, you will see and read in the newspaper tomorrow (today),” Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman pointed out.

Sarawak Election: All leaders of BN component parties to defend seats

April 3, 2011

KUCHING: All the four leaders of the component parties of Sarawak Barisan Nasional will be defending their respective seats in the upcoming April 16 state election.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is Sarawak Barisan chairman and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, will be defending his Balingian seat in Mukah.

Taib, 74, won uncontested his first state seat in the Sebandi (now known as Asajaya) by-election in March, 1981 before moving to the Balingian state constituency in the 2001 state election.

Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president Tan Sri Dr George Chan, 74, who is also Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister, will be defending his Piasau state seat for his sixth term.

Chan first won the seat in 1983 (then known as Miri) uncontested.

Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Seri Dr James Masing will be defending his Baleh seat in Hulu Rajang, also for his sixth term since first winning it in 1983.

As for Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president Datuk Seri William Mawan, he will be defending his Pakan constituency in Julau, which he has won six times consecutively since 1983.

Sekiteri Politik ke baru dikandal nangkup tanggung pengawa enggau angkun

 July 27, 2010

KUCHING: Sapit Kepala Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu manggaika pengarap ngagai bala Sekiteri Politik Kepala Menteri bejalai ke tanggung pengawa sida enggau naka pengangkun.

Jabu madahka, orang ti dipilih mangku pengawa tu nang chukup dikandal.

Ku iya, nya alai iya ngarapka bala sekitari politik tu bejalaika tanggung pengawa nitihka juluk ti dikarapka perintah.

“Sida ti dipih tu endang orang ti chukup dikarapka ulih bejalaika tanggung pengawa sida.

“Nya alai sida tu patut ngayanka diri ulih bekereja lalu mujur bejalaika tanggung pengawa sida nitihka juluk ati perintah,” ku Jabu.

Jabu mansutka jaku tu ngagai pemberita udah ti ngulu pengerami ngangkat sumpah mangku pengawa nyadi Sekitaeri Politik ditu kemari.

Bisi empat iku orang baru ti dipaduka mangku pengawa nya ngangkat sumpah sida ba mua Datuk Patinggi Jabu.