Abdul Karim: 11 days enough for campaigning

April 12, 2018

KUCHING: The 11 days between nomination day and polling day is sufficient for campaigning for the 14th general election (GE14), says Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

In fact, he added, all political parties had been campaigning for months or even years for the election.

“This (11 days campaign) is sufficient because as it is, campaigning by all political parties has started months or even years ago…so it’s good that Election Commission (EC) set aside only 11 days for final campaigning,” Abdul Karim, who is Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, pointed out.

THANK YOU to Sarawak PKR and its chairman Baru Bian

January 27, 2017

KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has been credited for its commitment in not contesting in the upcoming Tanjong Datu by-election.

Assistant Minister for Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said by not contesting in the by-election, PKR had shown maturity in their political struggle and also showed that it did not oppose just for the sake of opposing.

“I would like to thank the state PKR and Baru Bian (Ba Kelalan assemblyman and state PKR chairman) for their gracious commitment in not contesting

in Tanjong Datu by-election as a mark of respect for (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri) Adenan (Satem) and for his effort to bring back our diminished rights. Such effort will go a long way in uniting Sarawakians,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Baru, in announcing the party’s decision not to contest in Tanjong Datu by-election on Wednesday, said it was a gesture to let Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and the state government continue implementing the vision and policies that Adenan made for Sarawak while he was the chief minister.

Chong sarat dengan imaginasi politik jahat

February 1, 2016

Dakwaan kononnya Adenan pengaruhi SPR berhubung tarikh PRN satu lagi cubaan burukkan populariti KM

KUCHING: Pengerusi Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP) Sarawak Chong Chieng Jen berniat jahat apabila beiau mendakwa Ketua Menteri Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem mempengaruhi SPR berhubung tarikh PRN, kata Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah,

Tambah beliau lagi, dakwaan Chong itu menunjukkan betapa kerdil dan mengarutnya Ahli Parlimen Bandar Kuching merangkap Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Kota Sentosa itu.

“Chong hanya menggembar-gemburkan perkara yang kecil. Ketua Menteri (Adenan) hanya mencadangkan tarikh penamaan calon dan hari mengundi untuk Pilihan Raya Negeri (PRN) akan datang iaitu pada 18 April dan 30 April masing-masing.

Chong is playing dumb on date issue, says Karim

January 30, 2016

KUCHING: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Ching Chieng Jen has irked a PBB supreme council member for playing dumb on the Election Commission’s freedom to decide nomination and polling dates.

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also the Asajaya assemblyman, said Chong was trying to conjure up a negative perception that the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem was trying to dictate the dates.

"How petty and ridiculous YB Chong can be. 

"The Chief Minister is just making a proposal on the dates of Nomination and Polling for the State Election to be on the 18th and 30th April," he said in his Whatsapp message, adding: "Surely YB Chong knows" what is a "proposal".

Adenan had made known the proposed dates – April 18 for nomination and April 30 as polling day – when launching an election seminar for Satok constituency at the Damai Beach Resort on Friday night.

Karim said even if the commission decided to agree with the proposal, "it does not mean that the Chief Minister controls the Election Commission" as alleged by Chong, who is also the State DAP Chairman.

Chong was reported as saying the chief minister had chosen April as the date for the polls in order to coincide with his Bersih 4 trial.

CIA candidates will be treated as independents — Abd Karim

August 27, 2015

SIBU: Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) supporters and sympathisers will have to contest as independent candidates unless they register their movement – CIA (Calon Independent Alliance) – as a political party before the coming election, Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.

He also said they would have to use symbols provided by Election Commission (EC) and probably could opt to use a common symbol.

He was reacting to the formation of Calon Independent Alliance (CIA) by S4S.

At a press conference here on Monday, former DAP member and Pujut assemblyman Fong Poh Teck announced the formation of CIA – an unregistered body comprising potential candidates for the election which must be held by June 20 next year.

“Calon Independent Alliance or CIA need not be registered as a political party but candidates that want to be associated with CIA will have to use logos that are provided by EC and probably they can opt for a ‘common’ logo.

“This alliance is not illegal as it is a loose alliance ….just like Pakatan Rakyat which is not a legally registered political party.

“Parties under Pakatan use their own party logos in previous election,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

BN will win Dudong, Meradong, Ba Kelalan, Krian at next polls

July 19, 2015

KUCHING: A PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes the state Barisan Nasional (BN) can wrest Dudong, Meradong, Ba Kelalan and Krian from the opposition in the next state election while maintaining the two-thirds majority track record.

He said some of the presently opposition-held urban seats such as Dudong and Meradong that BN failed to defend in the last election was due to in-fighting in the party.

“Do not be surprised that we may be able to capture all these seats. I think DAP knows about that also,” he said when met at his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Jalan Astana yesterday.

Karim, who is Assistant Minister for Youth Development (Urban Areas) and Assistant Minister of Housing, said the state BN would still win the election with two-thirds majority – with or without the 11 new seats.

“Whether the 11 new seats are going to come into play or not does not really affect us. Personally, I see that the 11 new seats will give more leeway to the chief minister to patch up the component parties and the splinter group.

“If the 11 new seats come into play, of course the chief minister will have more space to arrange. But without those 11 new seats, we will have a landslide win also. With the new seats, we may probably lose one or two of them. It is not going to be 100 per cent ours.”

He said the verdict on the appeal of the 11 new seats could be expected on July 20, adding “if we win the appeal, the 11 new seats will be there. If we lose, we may have to stay put with the 71 seats.”

Karim predicted that the next election would be called either end of this year or early this year.

Pemutus kot nadai nanggul BN nyendia diri napi PRN

May 28, 2015

Pekara nya entara Kot Tinggi enggau SPRM, tepulai ba sida enti deka ngapil baru tauka enda

KUCHING:Pemutus Kot Tinggi Kuching nginsil notis pengawa magi garis sitak Kunsil Nengeri ti dipejalai Komiti Pengawa Bepilih (SPRM) bedau lama tu tadi,nadai nanggul Barisan Nasional (BN) nyendiaka diri napi Pengawa Bepilih Kunsil Nengeri, ku Sekretari Besai BN Menua Datuk Dr. Stephen Rundi anak Utom.

“Ba pemutus Kot Tinggi ti digaga bedau lama tu tadi bekaul enggau pengawa magi garis sitak Kunsil Nengeri baru nya entara SPRM enggau Kot Tinggi.

“Ba penemu BN, enti SPRM deka ngapil, nya barang ku sida iya laban sida iya nemu agi kini tunga kuing ke patut dituju sida iya. Kami (BN Menua) nadai kaul enggau penemu SPRM, nya entara SPRM enggau Kot Tinggi,” ku Rundi.

Ba penemu exco Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), ti mega nyadi Menteri Muda Pengawa Berumah Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah madahka pemutus Kot Tinggi nya enda ngachau penuduk BN.

“Enda ngira semua kerusi nya 71 tauka 82, enda ngachau…Kami ditu gawa ke rayat. Ni naka pemayuh kerusi nya pan, nambah tauka enda, BN Sarawak udah besedia,” ku Abdul Karim.

Sarawak dijangka deka ngatur pengawa Bepilih Kunsil Nengeri (PRN), pemadu laun bulan Jun taun baru tu ila, beratika timpuh Kunsil Nengeri ke diatu abis timpuh manggai Jun 2016.

Hari Satu nyin tadi, Hakim Kot Tinggi Kuching, Datuk Yew Jen Kie minta notis ti dikeluarka bekaul enggau pengawa magi garis entara sitak DUN ti dikeluar SPR kena 5 Januari tu tadi, dikinsil sereta enda dikemendarka kelimpah ari enda ngachau pekara bekaul enggau undang-undang.
  

71 or 82, it does not matter

May 28, 2015

NO PROBLEM ... Tan Sri William Mawan (right) and Datuk Dr Stephen RUndi (second right), speaking to the media as Datruk Haji Bdul karim rahman Hamzah (left) and Kameri Affandi look on. 

KUCHING: The High Court's decision in declaring that the Election Commission's (EC) delineation exercise notice as null and void will not affect the State Barisan Nasional's (BN) preparation for the state election.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom stated this when asked by the media yesterday.

"It won't affect us. As far as we are concerned, whether it is 71 or 82 state constituencies, it doesn't matter. We are committed to serve the people, we are here to serve and fulfil what we have promised to the people," he said, commenting on the High Court's decision in declaring the Election Commission's delineation exercise as null and void.

Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Rural), said the matter was between EC and the court.

"For us, if EC wants to appeal, it is up to them. But I think they will make the right decision on this. So I believe they know what to do. We have nothing to do with EC," he said.

Meanwhile, Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister for Youth Development (Urban) said: "It doesn't matter whether it is 71 or 82, we are prepared."

On 15 May, Kuching High Court Judge Datuk Yew Hen Kie ordered the EC to republish its notice to re-delineate the state's electoral boundaries, under Schedule 13 of the Federal Constitution.

Jumlah kerusi DUN mungkin kekal 71

May 18, 2015

Ia kekal jika tiada lakaran cadangan persempadanan semula ikut peruntukan

ASAJAYA: Kemungkinan jumlah kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) pada Pilihan Raya Negeri (PRN) akan datang kekal dengan 71 kerusi, kata Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Beliau memberitahu, sekiranya Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) tidak melakukan segera lakar semula cadangan persempadanan semula itu mengikut peruntukan yang ditetapkan dalam Jadual Ketiga Belas maka jumlah kerusi kemungkinan kekal seperti yang ada.

“Cadangan persempadanan semula kawasan DUN ini memerlukan masa di peringkat negeri dan persekutuan, sekiranya ia tidak dilakukan pada masa ini maka kemungkinan pada PRN ke-11 nanti kerusi (DUN) kekal 71 kerusi,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas mengenai perkara itu selepas Majlis Kesyukuran Gereja di Kampung Sampun Tebun, Asajaya di sini semalam.

Karim yang juga ahli Majlis Tertinggi PBB berkata, namun masih terdapat masa untuk SPR melakukan lakaran semula persempadanan kawasan DUN mengikut peruntukan yang ditetapkan.

“DUN bubar pada Jun tahun depan, jadi masih terdapat waktu untuk SPR melakukannya semula,” jelasnya.

Ditanya sama ada keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi Jumaat lepas menjejaskan persiapan BN khasnya PBB dalam PRN akan datang, Karim berkata ia tidak menjejaskan persiapan bagi kerusi sedia ada.

DAP patut meretika Akta Pilihan Raya, Akta Perlembagaan Persekutuan sebedau mantah

January 14, 2015

KUCHING: Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP) dipinta macha sereta meretika Akta Pilihan Raya enggau Akta Perlembagaan Persekutuan sebedau ngepunka sebarang kimpin ngulihka sain jari bekaul enggau pemutus muka sitak DUN baru pengawa bepilih kunsil nengeri (PRN) ngagai Komiti Pengawa Bepilih (EC).

Seiku kaban Kaunsil Pemadu Tinggi Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, madah, DAP udah ngepunka kimpin ngulihka sain jari dikena mantah raban pemesai parti enggau raban parti ke bukai ngambi ke besetuju enggau pemutus netapka sitak baru PRN nya.

“DAP patut macha enggau silik Akta Pilihan Raya enggau Akta Perlembagaan Persekutuan sebedau mansutka sebarang bantah sereta ngepunka kimpin ngulihka sain jari dikena mantah pemutus nya,” ku Abdul Karim.

Karim ke mega Kaban Kunsil Nengeri (ADUN) Asajaya mansutka penemu nya lebuh dirandau pengarang berita, kemari.

Iya bisi ditanya bekaul enggau tuju DAP Sarawak ngatur kimpin dikena ngulihka sain jari dikena mantah pemutus perintah netapka 11 buah kerusi sitak DUN nengeri Sarawak ke baru empai lama ke udah.

Chairman DAP nengeri, Chong Chieng Jen madah, kimpin nya deka belabuh dipejalaika ba bagi menua sepiak selatan nengeri tu lalu disempulang puak menua sereta deka bepengujung di utara nengeri Sarawak, tang pemutus nya deka diputuska enda lama agi.

Abdul Karim ke mega Menteri Muda Pemansang Raban Nembiak Pengawa Berumah Sarawak, madah, pekara nya ngembuan proses ke engkeman ari raban pengundi dikena mantaika bantah sida.

Signature campaign sign of DAP’s ignorance — Abdul Karim

January 14, 2015

KUCHING: DAP is urged to read the Federal Constitution and Election Act before embarking on a signature campaign against Election Commission (EC) on the delineation proposal.

PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said DAP’s intention to launch such a campaign reflected the ignorance of the party’s leaders of the delineation process.

“DAP should read up the Federal Constitution and Election Act and be well-versed with the contents before embarking on the signature campaign, which is purely to seek cheap publicity,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, said yesterday when contacted.

He was asked on Sarawak DAP’s intention to launch a signature campaign to object to EC’s proposal to establish 11 new state seats.

State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has been quoted as saying that the campaign would start in the state’s southern region, while the campaign in the central and northern regions would be announced later.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Housing , reminded DAP that those unhappy with the proposal could object through the proper procedure.

“There is a standard process by voters who are unhappy with the exercise to express their objection, and a signature campaign is definitely not one of them,” he asserted.

Abdul Karim tells PKR to respect voters’ rights

January 10, 2015

SIBU: PKR should respect the rights of voters who would make their choice during election and not take out on the Election Commission (EC), PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday.

He was reacting to PKR Kanowit chairman Thomas Laja’s statement that the proposed new state seats would only benefit the Barisan Nasional (BN), especially PBB.

Laja described the proposal as unfair, not right and unjust, particularly to the Opposition.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, asked: “How could PKR know that the delineation would only benefit BN?

“We have not even had an election yet to determine who will win those new seats.

“Or is PKR already ‘throwing in the towel’ even before the big fight?”

The EC has announced that it will make known its initial delineation proposal of 11 new state constituencies, namely Batu Kitang, Stakan, Serembu, Triboh, Gedong, Kabong, Tellian, Selirik, Murum, Samalaju, and Long Lama. The proposal would affect 12 parliamentary constituencies: Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Kota Samarahan, Serian, Batang Sadong, Saratok, Mukah, Kapit, Hulu Rajang, Bintulu, Baram and Mambong.

Karim defends EC in delineation proposal

January 10, 2015

KUCHING: There is no ‘mala fide’ or bad faith on the part of the Election Commission (EC) in proposing 11 new state constituencies in the delineation exercise.

PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the commission had acted at the request of the state government, which recently passed a Bill to raise the current state constituencies from 71 to 82 at its Legislative Assembly sitting last November.

The Assistant Youth Development Minister added that the delineation process, although seen as a political exercise, was allowed under the Federal Constitution. The EC, however, did not propose to increase the number of parliamentary seats because the process would require the passing of a Bill in Parliament.

Chong’s remarks on new seats draw more rebuke from Barisan Nasional

January 8, 2015

KUCHING: State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s comments on the Election Commission (EC) after the proposed 11 new state seats were put out on display continues to draw flak from Barisan Nasional (BN).

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said he was very upset over the remark by Chong, who said EC might as well join BN.

Chong in a statement, said with such blatant disregard of the fundamental principle of fairness in the limitation exercise, the EC might as well apply to join as the 14th political party of the BN.

Abdul Karim pointed out that it was uncalled for Chong and DAP to insinuate that EC drew out the new state seats boundaries according to BN’s direction.

“If Chong can recall, the seat of Kota Sentosa since being carved out was won by Chong himself, it was the same EC who was entrusted to do the delineation then, and if EC were to ensure BN would win, Chong and DAP would not be sitting at DUN (State Legislative Assembly) now,” Abdul Karim said when contacted.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Youth Development Minister, stressed that the seats were new seats, and nobody could guarantee any party winning them.

“…so how could Chong be thinking that all the new seats were carved by EC for BN..that a malicious and uncalled for statement by Kota Sentosa elected representative,” the Asajaya assemblyman pointed out.

Kritikan Chong terhadap SPR terus mendapat kutukan BN

January 8, 2015

KUCHING: Kritikan Pengerusi DAP Sarawak Chong Chieng Jen terhadap Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) selepas mengumumkan 11 kerusi DUN baharu terus mendapat kutukan daripada Barisan Nasional (BN).

Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata beliau amat kecewa terhadap kata-kata Chong yang mengatakan lebih baik SPR memohon sahaja menyertai BN.

Karim menegaskan kenyataan Chong dan DAP menyindir SPR untuk menyertai BN adalah tidak wajar, di mana 11 kerusi berkenaan cuma dicadangkan sahaja dan notis turut dibuat secara umum.

“Jika Chong boleh ingat, kerusi Kota Sentosa dimenangi oleh Chong selepas ia diwujudkan… SPR yang sama diamanahkan untuk membuat persempadanan ketika itu dan jika benar SPR mahu memastikan BN menang, Chong dan DAP tidak akan duduk dalam DUN sekarang,” katanya ketika dihubungi, semalam.

Karim yang juga Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia menegaskan kerusi tersebut adalah kerusi baharu dan tidak ada siapa yang dapat menjamin sama ada BN atau pembangkang yang akan memenanginya.

“Bagaimanakah Chong boleh memikirkan bahawa semua kerusi baharu diwujudkan oleh SPR adalah untuk BN?

“Ini adalah satu kenyataan berniat jahat dan tidak wajar oleh wakil rakyat Kota Sentosa,” tegas ADUN Asajaya itu.

Karim: Penemu Chong semina ngemelika SPR

January 8, 2015

Jaku Chong nya mega ngenyima ati raban BN

KUCHING: Jaku sindir Chairman DAP Menua, Chong Chieng Jen ke ngelalau Komiti Pengawa Bepilih (SPR) pengudah opis nya mansutka pemutus sebelas iti sitak baru, majak narit ati raban Barisan Nasional (BN).

Kaban Pemesai Kunsil Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, madahka jaku Chong ke munyi nya enda ngelantangka ati sida ti ngasuh SPR tama BN.

Chong dalam jaku iya madah, pengawa numbuhka garis entara sitak baru ke dipejalaika SPR tu tadi enda nitihka penemu ke patut lebuh magi garis entara sitak menua ku iya, ti ngujungka Chong madah SPR tau minta masuk parti politik ke-14 BN menua tu.

Abdul Karim madah, jaku Chong ke munyi nya enda patut dipansutka iya, munyi baka ke nyindir tauka ngemelika SPR masuk BN, seraya madahka 11 iti kerusi nya baru diperambu lalu nutis nya dipandang ngagai mensia mayuh.

“Enti Chong ulih mulaika pengingat iya empu, kerusi Kota Sentosa nya kelia pan, sama digaga baka nya, ke dimenang iya empu (Chong), nya alai Opis SPR mega ti diasuh ngaga baru garis entara sitak, enti SPR deka ngemeratka BN menang, Chong enggau DAP enda duduk di kerusi Kunsil Nengeri (DUN) sida iya baka ke diatu,” ku Abdul Karim madah, lebuh dikerandau kemari.

Abdul Karim, ti mega nyadi Menteri Muda Pemansang Nembiak (Nengeri) madah, kerusi ke disengkaum dalam 11 iti sitak nya, kerusi baru, lalu nadai seiku ke ulih ngenukuka BN tauka penyakal menang ba kerusi nya.

“…nya alai, bakani ku Chong tau berundingka semua kerusi baru ti digaga SPR nya meri penguntung ngagai BN? Nya jaku ke enda ngena runding sereta enda disadang pansut ari mulut ADUN Kota Sentosa,” ku ADUN Asajaya nya.

11 kerusi DUN baharu merangkumi masyarakat pelbagai etnik

January 7, 2015

TURUT SERTA: Karim dan Residen Samarahan Abdul Rahman Sebli Senusi mengetuai perarakan sempena sambutan Maulidur Rasul Peringkat Daerah Asajaya. -UtusanBorneo

ASAJAYA: Syor Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) mengenai 11 kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) baharu apabila dilaksanakan kelak akan merangkumi masyarakat pelbagai etnik di Sarawak.

Ahli Majlis Kerja Tertinggi Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk ABdul karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, secara tidak langsung Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) yang mewakili kawasan baharu itu dapat menyuarakan masalah rakyat secara lebih menyeluruh. 

"Ia merangkumi keseluruhan kawasan di Sarawak sama ada bandar, pinggir bandar atau luar bandar. "Selain itu, ia melibatkan kawasan yang didiami masyarakat pelbagai etnik," katanya kepada pemberita di sini, semalam. 

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas mengenai syor SPR mengenai 11 kerusi DUN baharu iaitu Batu Kitang (N.13), Stakan (N.17), Serumbu (N.18), Triboh (N.23), Gedong (N.26), Kabong (N.40), Tellian (N.57), Selirik (N.63), Murum (N.66), Samalaju (N.70) dan Long Lama (N.78). 

Bagaimanapun menurutnya, pembangkang awal-awal lagi menuduh syor tersebut apabila dilaksanakan adalah untuk meningkatkan kekuatan Barisan Nasional (BN). 

"Kita memang tahu pembangkang tidak setuju kerana mereka menganggap ia memberi kekuatan kepada BN. "Belum pilihan raya lagi, bagaimana kita hendak tahu kita akan menang atau kalah," ujarnya. 

Karim yang juga ADUN Asajaya turut melahirkan rasa gembira kerana kawasan Parlimen Kota Samarahan turut terlibat dengan syor tersebut.
  

Chong flayed for statement on Election Commission

January 7, 2015

SIBU: Several state BN leaders blasted Sarawak DAP chairman for criticising Election Commission (EC) as a tool of Barisan Nasional (BN), saying the opposition had no sincerity in serving rural folk.

Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen had claimed the delineation exercise showed that EC was serving only BN by helping the ruling coalition to consolidate its position and power base.

Describing EC’s action as a blatant disregard for the fundamental principle of fairness, Chong said the EC might as well apply to join BN.

Chong pre-empting EC’s move, BN leaders charge

September 9, 2014

“YB Chong must have a short memory. After the last delineation, the seat of Kota Sentosa was created. Who is the winner in Kota Sentosa?" Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Two BN leaders yesterday blasted State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen for ‘pre-empting’ the Election Commission (EC) plan to create about nine new state seats during its delineation exercise this December.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said Chong’s statement insinuated that the new seats were meant for the nine assemblymen who left SUPP and SPDP recently to form new parties.

Chong, also Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, was also quoted as saying there was no chance for the state to increase its constituencies without the consent of MPs from Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

Politicians shoot down ‘Vote along racial line’ suggestion

April 4, 2014 

"I think he (Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim) has deviated away from democracy and the freedom for one to make own choice." -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: It appears that the suggestion by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim for Malaysians to vote along racial lines is not well received by Sarawakian politicians.

Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, when asked to respond to Shahidan’s proposal, said if the government were to adopt the process, it would create more harm than good.

“I don’t agree with the suggestion to vote along racial lines because it will create racial segregation in a society. It creates more problems than solving them,” Masing who is a leader known to be the defender of Sarawakians’ rights told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Shahidan, who is also Arau MP and minister in charge of the Election Commission, was recently quoted as

saying that voting along racial lines will resolve every racial conflict in the country. This proposal was supported by Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin.

In dismissing the suggestion, Masing, who is also Baleh assemblyman, said the ability of a person must be the only criterion for electing a leader, adding that voters must be racially and religiously blind when electing their leaders.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the idea of voting along racial line definitely would not be good for Malaysia and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia.