Pelawan rep reminded MA63 talks began before PH took over Putrajaya

January 8, 2019

SIBU: DAP Sarawak deputy chairman David Wong appears to have ‘short memory’ when insinuating that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government ought to be credited for initiating discussion on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through the setting-up of the Special Cabinet Committee.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the Pelawan assemblyman seems unaware that discussions on the devolution of power between Putrajaya and the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak were ongoing even before the last general election.

“It (discussion) did not come about only after PH came to power. He (Wong) should recall that the late Pehin Sri Adenan (Satem) raised these issues on state rights that diminished through the years since 1963 including our rights on oil and gas, and he had asked for a return of these rights,” he said yesterday.

Sarawak to hold discussions with Najib over tourism tax share

September 1, 2017

This is because the tax collection will be made by the finance ministry, and Najib is the finance minister, says Sarawak minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

PETALING JAYA: The Sarawak government plans to hold discussions with Prime Minister Najib Razak over the state’s share of the tourism tax revenue.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this was because the tax collection would be made by the finance ministry, and Najib is the finance minister.

Abdul Karim: Tourism tax exemption for Malaysians is good news

July 27, 2017

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has welcomed the federal government’s move to exempt Malaysians from the tourism tax.

“Any news where Malaysians do not have to pay additional taxes is always good news to all.

“I am glad that the Malaysian public is exempted from this tourism tax and hopefully the Finance Minister (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) will confirm this good news,” he said.

Only Najib, not Nazri, can defer tourism tax implementation - Karim

June 28, 2017

KUCHING: Only Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, has the right to defer the date for the implementation of the tourism tax, said Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Therefore, Abdul Karim said, it is not for federal Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz to announce the deferral date for implementation of the tourism tax.

“The right to defer the date (for the implementation of tourism tax) is on the Prime Minister in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and not the Minister of Tourism and Culture who earlier claimed that the enforcement of the tourism tax is on July 1 and now suddenly deferring it to Aug 1.

“We must remember that it was not the Ministry of Finance or the Prime Minister who came up with the date July 1.

“Under the Tourism Tax Act, the minister referred to is the Minister of Finance and he has the power to exempt or defer (the implementation of tourism tax). The Minister of Finance is our Prime Minister,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Abdul Karim sambut baik pelawaan Masidi bincang Cukai Pelancongan

June 24, 2017

KUCHING: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menyambut baik pelawaan Menteri Pelanco-ngan, Kebudayaan dan Alam Sekitar Sabah Datuk Masidi Manjun berkaitan memorandum Cukai Pelancongan.

Beliau memberitahu memorandum itu bukan bererti kerajaan negeri membantah pelaksanaan cukai tersebut tetapi mahu memastikan semua pihak terlibat termasuk pemain industri pelancongan dan pengendali perhotelan mendapat maklumat jelas mengenai perkara berkenaan.

Menurutnya, memorandum akan diserahkan kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak itu dikumpul bagi memperhalusi perkara berkaitan pelaksanaan cukai tersebut supaya memberi manfaat kepada Sarawak dan Sabah.

Directly to state’s coffers

June 23, 2017

State says tourism tax inevitable but wants safeguard revenue collected is used to promote local tourism

Karim (right) addresses the media as Ik Pahon looks on.

KUCHING: The implementation of tourism tax is unavoidable since it has already been passed in Parliament, and Sarawak will abide by it.

However, the state wants its share of nationwide revenue from tourism tax collection to be channelled straight to the state government and not diverted elsewhere.

Stating this yesterday, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak wants a win-win formula for the collection and distribution of the tax. 

The state’s stand was communicated to the federal government during a recent meeting between Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He disclosed that based on the outcome of that meeting, which took place few days ago, Najib has assured the tourism tax collection will be distributed among the three regions of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

Okay with tourism tax but collection must go to Sarawak Government

June 22, 2017

Sarawak Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state government will now accept the implementation of the tourism tax which will see customers being charged between RM2.50 to RM20 per hotel room per night depending on the ratings.

However, Abdul Karim said the state government wants a share of the tax to be channelled to Sarawak.

“We want our share from the tourism tax collection to go straight to the state government and not be channelled through other agencies or any other means.

Channel tax collection back to Sarawak, Abdul Karim says of tourism tax

June 22, 2017

Karim (right) addresses the media as Ik Pahon looks on.

KUCHING: Sarawak accepts the implementation of the tourism tax, but it wants its share of tax collected to be channelled straight to the state government, and not diverted elsewhere.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this stand has been communicated to the federal government during a recent meeting between Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said based on the outcome of the meeting, the Prime Minister has assured that funds from the tourism tax collection would be distributed between the peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak.

“We want our share from the tourism tax collection to go straight to the state government and not be channeled through other agencies or any other means. 

"This will be a win-win formula, since the allocation will hopefully bring benefit to Sarawak in terms of promoting tourism.

Unfair or not, Sarawak subject to tourism tax

June 14, 2017

Sarawak minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, however, says the manner surrounding the implementation of the tax is unfair.

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has conceded that come July 1, the state, too, will be subjected to the new tourism tax, despite his calls for it to be deferred.

This, said the Sarawak tourism, arts, culture, youth and sports minister,was because taxation powers rested with the Federal Government, not the state.

However, he insisted that the manner surrounding the implementation of the tax was unfair.

Leaders welcome PM’s readiness to discuss MA63

November 13, 2016

KUCHING: State Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders have welcomed the readiness of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to discuss the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the readiness shown by Najib showed that the Prime Minister is practical.

“I am sure he can feel how the people of Sarawak and Sabah feel. It is good for him to reciprocate and come up with this statement that he is willing to discuss with Sabah and Sarawak leaders on MA63 if this agreement had been misinterpreted by Putrajaya all these years,” he said yesterday.

“I am sure this statement from him will go a long way in building a more prosperous and united Malaysia.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, said that the form of discussion between the federal government and state governments of Sabah and Sarawak must done in the right manner.

“In what form (will the discussions be held); within the four walls, or in the open via the State Legislative Assemblies of Sabah and Sarawak. This we need to know,” he said.

“I would prefer the discussion on MA63 within the four walls. Then, Putrajaya and the two East Malaysia states will have serious and meaningful discussions on important matters without input from the opposition, who will certainly politicise the matters just for the sake of publicity.”

Sarawak leaders not happy

June 28, 2016

Sarawak leaders unhappy state loses full minister’s post in new cabinet lineup, accept PM’s prerogative in federal ministerial appointment

KUCHING: The federal cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday is a disappointment for the state, as the minister’s post vacated by Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas was not filled by a Sarawakian.

Uggah, who stepped down as Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister to take up the post as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, said many had expected the replacement for his federal post to come from the state.

“I am very disappointed that no MP from Sarawak was considered to take over my former position. We believe one of our MPs is qualified enough to be appointed. I am speaking on behalf of Pesaka wing in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).”

Uggah, who is PBB senior vice president and still the Betong MP, contested in the last state election in Bukit Saban constituency where he won by 4,599 vote-majority in a straight fight.

He was appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the new state cabinet lineup announced on May 13 and he was also given the portfolio of Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Economy.

Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong who was appointed Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism is the only appointment from Sarawak.

Prior to yesterday’s federal cabinet announcement, speculations were rife that Kapit MP and Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi or Saratok MP Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom would be appointed to take up the post vacated by Uggah.

‘Anti-Najib movement an unfortunate episode in country’s history’

March 7, 2016

KUCHING: The anti-Najib movement led by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and opposition leaders has been described as an unfortunate episode in the country by Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“It is out of my wildest dream that the ‘Hunter’ and the ‘Hunted’ could sit down and be in the same ‘Team’.

“How juicy can Malaysia’s political scene be? It sounds a bit like a Hindustani movie, however, this time it is for real,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.

“Personally I think Tun Mahathir should stay ‘above board’ and avoid politics, he has his days. As such, he should just be a senior statesman and a person whom the present leaders can seek for his views and opinion for the good of the nation. It’s just unfortunate he chooses to be directly involved in such movement.”

Abdul Karim opined that Mahathir should respect the mandate that the ‘rakyat’ had given Najib in the 13th General Election (GE13) and leave the present administration alone.

“He has poked his nose at former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and now he is doing the same against current prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Does he think he is the only capable prime minister?” Abdul Karim questioned.

On another development, Abdul Karim who is also the Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban) said the State Barisan Nasional (BN) is not taking the forthcoming state election lightly despite being confident of a sure win.

‘Perak DAP chief should bear responsibility for offensive FB posting’

February 20, 2016

KUCHING: Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming should take responsibility over the recent posting on his alleged Facebook account, which had altered caption of a photo depicting Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also PBB supreme council member, urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate the matter.

He believed that MCMC and other relevant authorities should take action against such act carried out by what he deemed as ‘a despicable individual out to create ill feeling and anger among the multi-ethnic races in this country’.

“Nga should be responsible for his posting and the anxieties that it created, especially to Sarawakians. Even though the posting has been removed, the damage has been done. DAP and Nga must apologise to Chief Minister Adenan for what they did.

“The caption of the photo on the Taiping MP’s Facebook account originally stated: ‘Adenan: Our Government will always treat the Chinese well’, but this was altered to ‘Balik Tongsan, Cina Babi’ and ‘Apa Lagi Cina Mau’.

“Such act is despicable, malicious, provocative and forthright idiotic — even more so that it was coming from a supposedly honourable MP,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, was referring to a Facebook page bearing Nga’s name that carried the ‘Balik Tongsan, Cina Babi’ (Go back to China, Chinese pigs) caption sloppily placed above Adenan’s picture.

Baru’s comments on Najib draw flak from Abdul Karim

October 21, 2015

SIBU: Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday blasted state PKR chairman Baru Bian’s comments on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, said this only reflected that Baru had run out of issues on Sarawak and his attempt to be seen as still relevant as an opposition leader.

Appalled by Baru’s comments and his views on Najib’s statement, the PBB Supreme Council member, added: “Firstly, Baru’s flip flop comment on PKR relationship with DAP on state Pakatan Rakyat reflects his incapability in steering state PKR.

“At one point, he is seen as ‘true and true’ with PAS and would not stab this Pakatan partner.

“Suddenly he is toying with the idea of accepting the new ‘Parti Amanah’ and working things out with DAP/Amanah in the next election.”

He was commenting on Ba Kelalan assemblyman’s statement that he (Baru) was appalled by Najib’s effrontery in continuing to make statements, which he claimed the ‘rakyat’ (people) were tired of hearing and which only the most gullible die-hard Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters would believe.

Abdul Karim said Baru had now run out of issues against state BN and the chief minister and had resorted to ‘attacking’ Najib.

Devolution of power means Putrajaya confident in state leadership

September 17, 2015 

KUCHING: The first phase of devolution of power announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak shows the federal administration has confidence in the ability of the state leadership under Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the confidence was a good sign for Sarawakians, apart from upholding the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement signed in 1963.

“This is really good and happy news for all Malaysians, especially when it was announced in conjunction with Malaysia Day. This makes the celebration even more meaningful,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, was commenting on Najib’s statement on Wednesday on the federal government’s agreement to give authority to federal government directors in the state to make major decisions without having to refer to their counterparts in Putrajaya.

Najib added that the state government would also be empowered so that priority for projects involving rural areas, infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and so on could be decided and implemented by them.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Social Development, said the decision of the federal government also showed what was said by Adenan was true.

“Our chief minister was correct when he said there was no prime minister before this who has done many things for Sarawak like Najib.

State DAP gets brickbats for unsettling Bersih rally

September 1, 2015 

KUCHING: Several Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders have taken the state DAP, notably its chairman Chong Chieng Jen, to task for trying to turn the Bersih rally here into something it is not meant to be.

PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Chong’s outburst against the rally organiser showed he was a ‘leader in desperation’, while state BN Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairman Abdullah Saidol and SUPP Youth publicity chief Milton Foo noted that the party had hijacked the gathering.

Abdul Karim said while Chong, who is also Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, had the right to call for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s resignation, it was not in sync with the objectives of the rally.

“I thought Bersih 4 was a rally calling for, among others, clean government, transparency, and good governance. The organiser is the one that keeps to their promises to the authority that comes with the clearance for the rally.

“It was not a venue just for the DAP, but for all. Chong wanted to hijack the Kuching Bersih rally but the organiser was not stupid. They could smell the rat in their midst and ended the rally early before the DAP and Chong turned it into a DAP rally,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Abdullah said it was pleasant that the rally organiser kept their promises to ensure a peaceful gathering.

“Chong confidently said the crowd would be overwhelming, of no less than 10,000 people. But it seemed the rally in Kuching received only a cool reception.

Pemimpin BN sentiasa sokong kerajaan bersih

September 1, 2015

Tanggapan Karen Sheperd bahawa pemimpin BN terlepas sesuatu daripada perhimpunan BERSIH 4 adalah silap

KUCHING: Jurucakap perhimpunan BERSIH 4, Karen Sheperd tidak mengikuti pembangunan politik dan kemajuan di negeri ini, kata Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Malah menurut Karim yang merupakan Menteri Muda Belia (Bandar) dan Menteri Muda Perumahan, Karen adalah silap atas tanggapan bahawa pemimpin Barisan Nasional (BN) terlepas sesuatu daripada perhimpunan itu.

“Jika Karen berpendapat bahawa pemimpin BN tidak menyokong kerajaan yang bersih maka beliau adalah silap dan tidak mengikuti pembangunan politik dan kemajuan negeri.

“Pemimpin BN tidak menyertai perhimpunan di Padang Song Kheng Hai itu kerana BN Negeri terutama Ketua Menteri kita dan pentadbirannya adalah cemerlang.

“Jadi, mengapa kita perlukan perubahan atau reformasi dalam negara ketika kita telah mempunyainya sekarang,” katanya ketika dihubungi semalam.

Karen sebelum ini berkata, pemimpin BN terlepas banyak peluang atas ketidak-hadiran mereka pada perhimpunan BERSIH 4, 29 Ogos lepas bermula jam 2 petang hingga tengah malam.

Mereka menurut Karen, bukan sahaja terlepas peluang untuk berjumpa dengan rakyat Sarawak dan lebih penting tidak mendengar mesej yang disampaikan oleh rakyat.

Cabinet reshuffle common practice, says Abdul Karim

July 29, 2015

KUCHING: This is the beauty of parliamentary democracy, said Assistant Minister of Social Development (Youth) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when commenting on the Federal cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak yesterday afternoon.

"The change in the lineup of the Federal cabinet is a common phenomena and practice in every parliamentary democracy.

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak has the full power and prerogative to decide who and who he wants in his cabinet.

"Definitely there is bound to be dissatisfaction among supporters of those who are dropped but we must understand that there would be jubilation to supporters as well as those who got appointed or promoted," he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted yesterday.

"We just hope that the ripples created after this reshuffle will cool down so that the government can carry on with its duty to develop and bring the country forward," said Abdul Karim

He also pointed out that the newly promoted and appointment ministers should be given time to adapt to the new environment to succeed.

Pemimpin UPP, TERAS wajar diterima oleh BN: Abdul Karim

June 6, 2015

KUCHING: Pemimpin Parti Rakyat Bersatu (UPP) dan Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (TERAS) wajar diterima oleh Barisan Nasional (BN) kerana mereka mendukung prinsip-prinsip BN baik pada peringkat persekutuan mahupun negeri.

Menurut Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, pemimpin kedua-dua parti politik itu juga dipilih di bawah logo BN.

“Saya percaya harapan dan keinginan Perdana Menteri (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) adalah agar rakyat bersatu di bawah mana-mana saluran atau parti BN yang mendukung prinsip BN. Saya fikir ia juga prinsip-prinsip yang diguna pakai oleh BN negeri,” ujarnya semalam.

Beliau berkata demikian berhubung kenyataan Parti Demokratik Progresif Sarawak (SPDP) yang menolak konsep BN Plus yang disokong oleh Najib pada Majlis Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat di Stadium Perpaduan, Khamis lepas.

Kenyataan ahli kanan SPDP menolak konsep tersebut kerana antara lain menurut mereka ia akan memusnahkan kerjasama antara parti komponen BN yang telah menyatu dan mengukuhkan perikatan pemerintah.

Abdul Karim menegaskan pendekatan mesra BN yang dibawa oleh TERAS dan UPP memastikan mereka terus berada dalam kabinet kerajaan negeri selain menghadiri acara rasmi.

“Kita melihat menteri, menteri muda dan ketua parti dari parti mesra BN menghadiri acara ini kerana pemimpin mereka mendukung prinsip BN selain dipilih di bawah logo BN,” katanya.

Inclusion of UPP, Teras in BN fold justified — Karim

June 6, 2015

KUCHING: Leaders of United People’s Party (UPP) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) are subscribing to Barisan Nasional (BN)’s principles both at federal and state levels and as such, making it right for both parties to be part of the ruling coalition.

Making such remarks, Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, added that the leaders of both parties were also elected under BN banner.

“I believe that Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) wishes and hopes are for the people to be united under any BN (component) party or vehicle that subscribes to its principles.

“I guess that they are also the principles adopted by the state BN,” he told The Borneo Post via WhatsApp yesterday.

Abdul Karim was asked on a statement by SPDP rejecting the BN-Plus concept endorsed by Najib during the ‘Leader-Meets-People’ session at Stadium Perpaduan here on Thursday.

The statement by senior SPDP members rejected such concept, saying that it – among other things – would destroy the cooperation between existing BN component parties that had served as the bedrock of unity and strength of the coalition.

On this, Abdul Karim – who is also Asajaya assemblyman – stressed that the BN-friendly approach by leaders of Teras and UPP had seen them being retained in the state cabinet and attending numerous state functions.