Calon KM adalah boneka DAP

June 12, 2014

“Mengapa mereka tiba-tiba berubah arah? Pada masa sama mengapa DAP mahu masyarakat Dayak menjadi Ketua Menteri dan mereka tidak berminat dengan jawatan tersebut." -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP) diingatkan agar tidak terus mengelirukan masyarakat Dayak dengan pelbagai gimik politik untuk meraih sokongan bagi mencapai agenda mereka.

Setiausaha Agung Barisan Nasional (BN) Negeri Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi berpendapat, parti pembangkang dari Semenanjung Malaysia itu tidak mempunyai niat untuk membantu masyarakat Dayak di sini.

“Semua tahu mereka hanya cuba meraih sokongan masyarakat Dayak untuk berkuasa dengan memperkenalkan pelbagai gimik seperti Impian Sarawak, ‘Go Rural’ dan sebagainya.

“Namun berdasarkan amalan mereka sebelum ini, DAP tidak pernah mempedulikan masyarakat Dayak. Ini semua semata-mata kerana politik.

“Oleh itu, berhenti mengelirukan masyarakat Dayak dengan pelbagai tipu helah,” ujar Dr Rundi yang juga Menteri Muda Kemudahan Awam.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta memberi pandangan mengenai kenyataan Pengerusi DAP Negeri, Chong Chieng Jen yang menegaskan pendirian mereka untuk mencalonkan dari kalangan masyarakat Dayak sebagai Ketua Menteri sekiranya Pakatan Rakyat (PR) menang pada Pilihan Raya Negeri akan datang.

Chong dipetik berkata demikian ketika Sambutan Rumah Terbuka Gawai Dayak di Stadium Mini Sri Aman minggu lepas.

Galeri: Handing over of Sarawak flag to Sarawak SUKMA squad

May 22, 2014

Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (second right) handing over the Sarawak flag to Datuk Lee Kim Shin (centre) while (from left) Lucas Kalang, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi look on.

Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (centre) together with Datuk Lee Kim Shin (fifth right), Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (fourth right) and Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi (seventh right) cheering on the state’s Sukma contingent at the ceremony yesterday. 

Karim: DAP still pushing ‘Go Rural’ campaign as it does not see its Pakatan partners are relevant

April 28, 2014

“It came up with its recent rhetoric that in the event DAP gets into power in Sarawak, they will put a Dayak as CM… I thought DAP has always advocated good government, based on merits and justice. Has that been compromised just to please the Dayaks in their quest to win the hinterland?” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Rural folk are very comfortable and happy with the BN government which is doing its level best to fulfill the people’s needs.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi was reacting to state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s statement that they would continue pushing their ‘Impian Sarawak’ campaign to further penetrate the rural areas, even if the fledgling effort might not turn out to be fruitful in the coming election.

“I am sure by now they (DAP) are smart enough to know what kind of response they receive from rural people and we, rural people have learnt enough from their struggle since the early formation of Malaysia and would not want to undergo the same experience again as we are very comfortable with the present situation though we need to improve on some areas as we all aware of.

“And the BN government is trying its very best to fulfil the people’s needs, and changing the government is not the answer.

“We need a stable government to bring in more development and prosperity to the country,” said Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).

PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said despite knowing that the fledgling effort of its ‘Impian Sarawak’ campaign was not gaining support, DAP was still pushing for its ‘Go Rural’ campaign as it did not see its Pakatan partners as relevant.

DAP had a big agenda in wanting to split the Bumiputera along racial and religious lines, noted Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

Karim: Fong must rid himself of DAP’s racist undertone if he wants to support BN

April 17, 2014

“We will support him if he does. If he thinks of being with BN as a temporary vehicle to ‘park’ himself…he is not welcome.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: The top leadership of Barisan Nasional (BN) will have the final say on those wanting to join them as members, says its state (BN) secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi.

He said BN generally welcomed someone with integrity and serious about serving the people.

Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), was asked to comment on news report that party-less Pujut assemblyman Fong Pau Teck had not discounted the possibility of joining BN.

Fong, who was shown the door by DAP, reportedly said he would consider joining one of the BN component parties in Sarawak if its policies were fair to the people, particularly when it came to Chinese-medium schools.

Dr Rundi said: “It is not for him to decide but we (BN) will, and we will accept someone who plays by the rule and with high integrity.

“We want someone who is loyal to Sarawak and willing to protect the rights of Sarawakians and Malaysians as a whole and serious about serving the people. Not someone who is into rhetoric politics like many peninsula-based politicians are inclined to do.

Meanwhile, PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said BN welcomed anyone who wanted to support them.

“Supporting BN can be done by joining a BN party or supporting it from the outside…openly supporting its leadership and policies.”

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said no condition had to be set.

“As it is, BN is already the government of the day in Sarawak. the people has given the mandate to BN to govern Sarawak.

“Those who won seats under the opposition ticket and now realise that the BN government is fair are welcome to support it,” he said.

He said fairness need not only relate to the preservation of Chinese education and Chinese culture but encompassing all aspects.

He noted that Fong had a problem in DAP and was sacked.

Fong must rid himself of DAP’s racist undertone if he wanted to support BN, Abdul Karim suggested.

“If I read it correctly, he did mention that he might consider joining BN if BN was fair in respect to helping Chinese schools and cultures….my question….Has Malaysia and BN not been helping these institutions? No need to look far.

“Compare Malaysia’s policy on education with our Asean neighbours.”

He noted that Fong still had strong traits of DAP mentality in him, and advised him to rid that mentality.

“We will support him if he does. If he thinks of being with BN as a temporary vehicle to ‘park’ himself…he is not welcome,” Abdul Karim said.

  

Galeri: Penyerahan Bendera Sarawak Kepada SUKMA Sarawak

April 5, 2014

SELAMAT BERJUANG: Datuk Lee Kim Shin (empat kiri) menerima bendera kontinjen daripada atlet angkat berat, Jelinie Empera sambil disaksikan Abdul Haris Ishak (kiri), Affandi Keli, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, Lucas Kalang dan Dr Ong Kong Swee di Dewan Suarah Kuching semalam.

Karim - Victory indicates people accept leadership of Adenan as the CM of Sarawak

March 31, 2014

“The voters of Balingian have made a good choice and I am sure the BN state government and the new YB will not forget them.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Voters in Balingian rejected PKR as they want development, stability and harmony that only Barisan Nasional (BN) can deliver several state BN leaders concluded yesterday.

They said the people realised that the opposition were all about politicking rather than rendering sincere service to people.

To state BN youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof, the big win was a reflection of many factors.

“The trust of the people in Balingian not only on the policies of BN but the hope and belief that BN can bring benefits to the people in Balingian in all aspects of development from physical to human development and welfare of the people.

“More importantly, unity, stability and harmony was what the people voted for,” Fadillah, who is also Works Minister and Petra Jaya MP, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said the landslide victory showed that the people rejected the opposition.

“Yes, indeed that was exactly what we told our people in Balingian and they proved and showed that the ‘Pakatan Pembankang’ has no place in their hearts…better forget about “impian Sarawak”…it is not mere politicking but sincere service to the rakyat that is important,” added Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).

Karim: What 'Justice for Balingian' you are talking about?

March 21, 2014

“If they expect an overnight metropolitan Balingian like KL or Kuching, then maybe PKR needs to have an ‘Alladdin Lamp’ as even BN won’t be able to do that. -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Barisan Nasional (BN) translates people’s support into physical development for their betterment, state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said yesterday.

“The opposition, on the other hand, only makes empty promises,” he said, adding that people in constituencies represented by PKR/Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had become increasingly frustrated.

“PKR’s slogan of ‘Justice for Balingian’ was merely to attract people’s attention,” he said.

“It’s an attempt by the opposition to manipulate the issues at hand.

“But they never reveal what they can afford to do that is better than what BN has delivered thus far,” he said.

Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), was asked on PKR’s slogan of fighting for the long-term needs of Balingian folk.

State PKR vice-chairman See Chee How claimed that people of Balingian would not be swayed by the goodies dished out by BN during the by-election because what the people wanted were long-term facilities.

Karim: It is good that PKR has beautiful dreams of winning Balingian

March 17, 2014

“But when you wake up and face reality, only then you realise it’s just a dream, and the good feeling is just temporary.” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: PKR will face the full might of the BN in the Balingian by-election, said state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi.

Promising an all-out fight to keep their stronghold, he added they would fight the opposition as a ‘BN team’.

“We have anticipated their style of campaigning and shall not be overwhelmed by their aggressiveness,” said Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).

He was reacting to PKR Lanang branch chief George Chen’s statement claiming of brighter chance of wresting the seat from BN.

Chen had on Saturday revised their chances of winning Balingian from 30/70 to 50/50 due to “positive vibes on the ground”.

Dr Rundi said PKR were entitled to their opinion and BN would not be affected by it.

“Whatever it is, we will not be morally affected as we know our strength and, to some extent, theirs as well. We will go and fight them to our utmost strength as a BN team.”

Galeri: Majlis Penyerahan Geran dan Penghargaan 2014

March 7, 2014

Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (second right) presenting the government grant to Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) deputy president Datu Abu Bakar Marzuki (right) while (from left) Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Rural Areas) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin look on. -Source

Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (front row, third right) together with (from left) Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Rural Areas) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Ministry of Social Development permanent secretary Affendi Keli during a photo call with the grant recipients. -Source

Karim: Balingian is as good as ours already

March 2, 2014

KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) which indicated that it will contest in the Balingian by-election, will hardly be a match for juggernaut BarisanNasional (BN).

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the seat “is already as good as ours (BN)”.

“Whoever is going to contest against BN is the least of our concerns.

“We are not being arrogant, but the seat is as good as ours already,” the Assistant Minister of Youth Development pointed out in his text message.

The Balingian seat fell vacant after Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud relinquished the chief minister’s post on Feb 28 and was appointed the seventh Head of State.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing, said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) of PKR was just “wasting their time” contesting as the constituency is a stronghold of PBB and BN.

State BN secretary-general DatukDr Stephen Rundi Utom has also said BN was ready for the opposition and stands united against its fledgling foe.

Karim advices Baru: Don't waste public fund just because want to try luck to be Chief Minister

February 21, 2014

“My advice to him – we are not like PKR who love to see election after election being held." -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian’s prediction of an early state polls does not carry weight.

In saying this, state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi added it was up to the present government to decide when and ground sentiments are of prime importance.

“The government is working very hard to fulfil its promises as stipulated in the manifesto before facing the people,” added Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).

He was responding to Baru’s prediction that the 11th state election might be called between this September and next September.

Baru had said his prediction stemmed from the fact that new leaders wanted a fresh mandate from the people as soon as possible.

The state assembly’s term will expire on June 20, 2016 but the chief minister has the prerogative to dissolve it earlier.

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem is scheduled to succeed Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud as chief minister this Feb 28.

Newly-formed state Pakatan Rakyat Council is ‘old hat’, says PBB supreme council member

February 17, 2014

SIBU: There will be no united front in the newly formed state Pakatan Rakyat Council as parties aligned under PR have never been able to consolidate in Sarawak.

PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this was because there was no difference from the earlier PR when the pact was claimed to be a united platform.

“Since when has DAP, PKR, PAS and now SWP been able to work together in Sarawak? They align themselves under PR but that is only to hoodwink us that they are ‘united’.

“Come election, they start bashing each other and fight over who should contest. Every party wants to contest practically every seat that is available for contest,” said Karim, who is Asajaya, assemblyman.

“Now, they form the state Pakatan Rakyat Council, which is no different from the earlier PR that they claimed as a united platform. People are not easily taken in by all these names.

“It is just the same snake that has shed its skin. There will be no united front among them,” said Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development.

He was asked if the newly formed council would see PR working as a united front.

‘PKR Baram merely political posturing’

January 26, 2014

KUCHING: A PBB Supreme Council member believes PKR has an ulterior motive for announcing its intention to contest in Marudi and Telang Usan in the 11th state election.

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah opined that by making known its intention early, the party would have more bargaining power when it comes to seat allocation later on.

“Personally, I see it as a bit too early to make an announcement (to contest in the two seats) as the term of the current State Legislative assembly (DUN) only expires in 2016.

“PKR probably has other agendas for making an early announcement. I believe the DAP and their new ally, Sarawak Workers Party (SWP), are also keen to contest in many Bumiputera seats, so by making an early announcement, it will give them (PKR) more bargaining power,” said Abdul Karim, who is also assistant youth development minister, said in his text message.

PKR Baram branch deputy chief Roland Engan was quoted as saying yesterday that his party would contest the two seats, both housed under Baram parliamentary constituency, in the state polls.

Among others, Roland said the party was confident of winning the two seats based on the recent 13th general election result, where the party lost by a mere 194 votes. The current term of the 71-seat Sarawak Legislative Assembly expires on June 20, 2016, but the chief minister has the prerogative to dissolve the Assembly earlier.

Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim said the Barisan Nasional (BN) was not worried about who they would be up against in those two seats.

Review cyber law for teeth — Abdul Karim

January 21, 2014

SIBU: The government needs to review the cyber law, including tightening and enforcing it to prevent abuse that could stir unrest, Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday.

Karim: Sibu is not easy for DAP

 January 11, 2014

“DAP’s 3+1 formula for Sibu is laudable but it is not going to be easy for them. - Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: BN has its own strategy to come out victorious at the next state election, according to state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, who pointed out yesterday that DAP’s claim of breakthroughs only bolstered BN’s determination to win the election.

State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen had recently mentioned that his party targeted to retain the three state seats of Pelawan, Bukit Assek and Dudong and capture Bawang Assan, all in Sibu.

“That is what they claimed and thanks for the reminder, and that makes BN more determined not only to retain Bawang Assan or any BN seat,” Dr Rundi said.

Added he: “But we know we can re-capture the lost seats from DAP/PR, we definitely have our own strategy to come out victorious.”

Dr Rundi is the Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).

PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, meanwhile, said it was good to see DAP readying itself for the state election and had set up its election machinery for Sibu.

He said every political party had its aspiration and goal in preparing for the election.

DAP, don’t insult the intelligence of rural folk

January 7, 2014

“Their going into rural areas is merely ‘window dressing’ to show that they care for the Bumis, to show that they care for the rural folk, when in actual fact that is their least concern.” - Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: The DAP has been told not to insult rural folk’s intelligence by expecting to win their support without walking the talk. 

State Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi opined on Sunday that the urban-based opposition party should abandon the idea of going rural.

“If they (DAP) ever dream of getting support from rural Sarawakians, but are not doing something that can support rural Sarawakians and walk the talk as what BN has had been doing, better forget it,” Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), told The Borneo Post.

He was commenting on state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen’s announcement on Saturday that his party would launch nine more ‘Impian Sarawak’ projects in the first quarter of this year.

Chong said this was to ensure that the BN would not take the votes of rural Sarawakians for granted, and play its role as the government of the day to improve basic infrastructure that was lacking in these areas.

Dr Rundi said he was puzzled by DAP’s sudden concern for rural folks.

“If it is with political motives, we are not that blind just to succumb to their tricks. Don’t insult our intelligence,” he said.

Dr Rundi scorches opposition’s effort

November 6, 2013

 

"Whether they can make inroad into any seat is yet to be seen." -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi yesterday warned the opposition not to expect the people to fall for its brand of politics.

He was asked if the coming state election would see a different political landscape following the emergence of many new political parties in the scene, and whether the state BN expect a tougher fight than that in the last state polls.

The five new newcomers are Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras), Parti Bumi Kenyalang, Peace Party and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) and Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (Persb).

“We don’t expect much difference and if any, there will be more confusion within the opposition if they think they can instigate/manipulate the Dayaks,” the Kemena assemblyman told The Borneo Post.

Making it a crowded affair, SWP announced that they would contest in seven state constituencies in the next state election though it is at least two years away.

Its president Larry Sng said the seven seats they intended to field candidates in included Pelagus, Meluan, Engkilili and Tamin whose candidates had been identified.

Of the four state constituency seats, two are held by BN with Dr Johnical Rayong (SUPP) as assemblyman for Engkilili and PRS Datuk Joseph Mauh, assemblyman for Tamin.

     

Karim: All voters, regardless of their age, are equally important

September 9, 2013

“As such, we have to approach and engage all voters and prospective voters whether they are still in school, in their twenties, thirties and forties.” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has been engaging youths in the state as it recognises the key role they play in the future of the party.

PBB Youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof, who is also state BN youth chief, said yesterday recruiting youth had been an on-going effort of the party.

He was responding to a call by PBB secretary-general Datuk Stephen Rundi who reportedly said it was imperative for the party to recruit the youths in Form Five and undergraduates from institutions of higher learning.

Dr Rundi was also quoted to have said that the party must empower both the women and youth to go all out to recruit new members.

Meanwhile, PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday other segments of voters must also be approached as well.

“I don’t deny that youths play a big part in determining the winner or loser in elections. However, I don’t see them as the trump card in determining the winner as every voter at whatever age, too are important.

“As such, we have to approach and engage all voters and prospective voters whether they are still in school, in their twenties, thirties and forties,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said.

Some new political parties will die a natural death

September 5, 2013

SIBU: Some of the five new political parties in the state will die a ‘natural death’ a few years from now.

PBB Supreme Council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he believed this would happen because Sarawakians are intelligent and know which party is good for them.

The five new parties are Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras), Parti Bumi Kenyalang, Peace Party, Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) and Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB).

“Personally, I don’t see the need for so many parties to vie for so few seats in Sarawak. But being a democratic country, we cannot stop anyone from setting up political parties. This is a fundamental right enshrine::alaysian constitution,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Abdul Karim said not all parties will get the people’s support.

“We may say it will split the people further or it will split the Bumiputras or Dayaks further, but we forgot one thing … the people have the final say.

“Don’t underestimate the intelligence and maturity of Sarawakian voters,” said Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.
   

Parti-parti baharu disaran tidak kelirukan rakyat

September 4, 2013

 

“Kalau mereka berminat maka mereka harus memohon untuk menjadi parti komponen BN atau tidak perlu langsung menubuhkan parti baharu semata-mata untuk memberitahu bahawa mereka adalah mesra BN.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Parti-parti politik yang baharu ditubuhkan disaran agar tidak mengelirukan orang ramai mengenai misi dan visi perjuangan politik mereka.

Menurut Setiausaha Agung Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak merangkap ADUN Kemena Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, sama ada misi atau visi perjuangan mereka mesra BN atau tidak, mereka harus menyatakan dengan jelas mengenai hala tuju parti masing-masing.

“Persoalannya bukan sama ada mereka tetap bersama atau telah meninggalkan BN sebelum ini tetapi PBDS Baru merupakan parti politik baharu yang didaftarkan oleh Jabatan Pendaftar Pertubuhan (ROS) baru-baru ini.

“Oleh itu, mereka harus menjelaskan secara terang arah tuju perjuangan mereka sama ada mereka mesra BN atau sebaliknya kerana mereka hanya merupakan parti politik yang baharu didaftarkan,” ujar Rundi ketika dihubungi kelmarin.

Beliau berkata demikian setelah diminta memberi pendapat mengenai kenyataan Pengerusi sementara Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) Louis Jarau, yang memberitahu bahawa PBDS lama serta ahli-ahlinya tidak pernah meninggalkan BN seperti yang dinyatakan sebelum ini.

Sementara itu, Ahli Majlis Tertinggi BN Negeri me-rangkap ADUN Asajaya Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, dari sudut guaman PBDS Baru merupakan sebuah parti baharu walaupun terdapat perkataan PBDS di hadapannya dan bukannya parti yang lama seperti yang disangkakan.

“PBDS yang lama sudah terkubur setelah pendaftarannya dibatalkan oleh ROS sebelum ini. Maka tidak perlulah bagi sesiapa untuk berusaha memutarbelitkan fakta dan keadaan dengan mengatakan bahawa PBDS Baru merupakan parti komponen BN,” ujar Abdul Karim.