‘Close ranks to recapture Sibu, Lanang’

December 2, 2017

SIBU: State Barisan Nasional leaders are echoing the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s recent statement that there is a fighting chance for BN to wrest two opposition strongholds - Sibu and Lanang - this parliamentary election if Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and United People’s Party (UPP) could close ranks and work out an amicable solution to their apparent division before the 14th General Election (GE14).

The Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sport Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told TheBorneoPost that in order to win any seat or win any election, the party contesting must be able to maintain and secure unity of its members and supporters.

“I fully agree that to win Sibu and Lanang, BN parties SUPP, PBB, PRS and PDP as well as parties linked to BN like UPP in those seats must be able to unite their members and supporters and make sure they support the BN’s candidates.”

Young voters trendsetters of future political landscape

November 8, 2013

 

Being more educated, liberal in outlook, analytical…they are a force to be reckoned with. - Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Educated young voters who have the analytical strength will be the trendsetters of the future political landscape, according to some Barisan Nasional leaders here.

PRS vice-president Datuk Mong Dagang yesterday said both the government and the opposition were eagerly engaging the youth who were the so-called fence sitters.

“I believe in the last parliamentary election, younger voters played important role and did in fact influence the results of the election.

“The entry of younger voters would definitely play an important political role in deciding who will be in power. But I believe the younger voters, who are educated would be able to make wise decision.

“They know what the government is doing and at the same time what the opposition does,” noted Mong, who is Agriculture (Research and Marketing) Assistant Minister and Bukit Begunan assemblyman.

He was commenting on observations made by a seasoned political scientist Associate Prof Dr Bridget Welsh that one of the major trends in the political landscape of Sarawak was the demographic shift to younger voters.

Welsh expounded that more younger voters were fence-sitters, so the next election was really about how voters under-30 vote.

Azmin, please look at countries implementing GST

November 1, 2013

SIBU: Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a system adopted by almost 200 countries worldwide, Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday.

“Had the tax system been counter-productive, it would not have been adopted by a majority of countries in the world, whether developed or undeveloped,” he pointed out.

“GST is implemented in 160 countries in the world…definitely, there will be hitches here and there when it is implemented come 2015. But Malaysians would soon adjust themselves to this new system,” he said.

He was reacting to Gombak MP Azmin Ali who had said that Malaysia was seen as not ready to implement the new tax because more than 40 per cent of the people had household income of less than RM2,500 a month, with 80 per cent being Malays and Bumiputras.

Azmin was reported by Bernama as saying that GST would squeeze the low income earners and the poor.

He said the government must take a leaf from developed nations which only implemented GST after their tax infrastructure were strong and income taxes were reduced to avoid burdening the people.

Meanwhile, Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said: “I do agree with YB Azmin, MP Gombak. That the current tax infrastructure must be strengthened and consolidated so that the tax system is efficient and only hit the right target and objectives.

Let flying of flags be done voluntarily — Abdul Karim

August 28, 2013

SIBU: Love and patriotism for the country should come from the heart and not under the compulsion of the law, Assistant Minister of Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.

He said all premises should fly the Jalur Gemilang, but this should not be made so by the law.

The Communications and Multimedia Ministry would study the need to introduce a law to make it compulsory for every premises to fly the Jalur Gemilang throughout Merdeka month.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek had said such a law was necessary because many premises and buildings, especially those owned by private organisations, did not understand the need or importance of flying the Jalur Gemilang to show their love for the nation.

In response, Abdul Karim said the reflection of loyalty must come from the heart and not done because the law required it.

“Not necessary for that law please. Teach the citizens to love and be proud of the country,” added the Asajaya assemblyman.

A councillor of Maradong District Council, Felician Teo, said Ahmad Shabery’s heart was in the right place by advocating the flying of the national flag to be made compulsory.

Support and much praise for ban on ‘smoke’ candies

June 8, 2013

SIBU: The government must stop the sale of food products that could influence consumers to develop an unhealthy lifestyle.

Assistant Youth Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who said this yesterday, added: “Any product that promotes an unhealthy lifestyle should be checked”.

He was asked to comment on the sale of ‘smoke’ candies which look like cigarettes front-paged by The Borneo Post yesterday.

The Food Safety and Quality Unit of Health Ministry had raised the alarm over these candies which are made in China and had issued a stern warning to traders to remove them from the shelves.

Felician Teo, a councillor from Maradong, lauded the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) swift move to clamp down on the sale of these ‘smoke’ candies.

Teo, in supporting the stringent measure, said yesterday nipping the threat posed by the candies in the bud was the right move as kids buying these cadies could be influenced to take up smoking when they grew up.

“MOH is right to act swiftly to ban the so called smoke candies from hitting the streets. Such pre-emptive actions must be lauded as these so called candies can cause young kids to pick up smoking habit later in life.