Abdul Karim clarifies ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ remark

July 17, 2018

Abdul Karim (second right) shaking hands with Wong after the joint press conference. 

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had to clear the air on his remark ‘beggars cannot be choosers’, which is believed to have offended some constituents in the opposition areas.

At a press conference yesterday, he said he did not refer to any particular person and clarified that “sometimes quotes are given in jest”.

“Definitely, the honourable members from DAP (Democratic Action Party) and PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) are not beggars, they are elected representatives,” he said at the media centre after delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly.

‘RM60 million for 13 KRA tourism projects this year’

May 19, 2017

Abdul Karim shows his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex. Abdul Karim delivered his first ministerial winding-up speech yesterday.

KUCHING: The state government has approved RM60 million for the implementation of 13 Key Result Areas (KRAs) tourism projects this year.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah announced this in his winding-up speech yesterday, which led to Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) questioning whether the allocation was sufficient.

The DAP leader also queried why Mulu National Park, a Unesco-listed site had been excluded from the 13 KRA projects.

“I hear no promotions on Mulu Caves, which is a world heritage site that has been underutilised. The total amount of RM60 million for the 13 projects which will be carried out, do you think it is highly sufficient?” asked Chong, seeking a point of clarification.

Abdul Karim responded: “Definitely, Mulu is a world-renowned heritage and tourist destination which is something we should be proud of.”

Karim answers Chong on RM60 mln allocation for KRAs

May 18, 2017

KUCHING: Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) raised his doubts about an approved allocation of RM60 million for 13 Key Result Areas (KRAs) projects as announced by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah in his winding up speech today.

Chong also wondered why the Mulu National Park, which is a world heritage site, was not included in the KRAs, adding that the UNESCO-listed site was underutilised.

“I have paid attention to the 13 KRAs and I didn’t hear any promotions for Mulu Caves. And I think RM60 million is highly insufficient,” he said when seeking a point of clarification from Karim, who was then reading out his winding up speech.

In a response, Karim said Mulu National Park “is definitely a world tourist destination, something which we should be proud of.”

He added: “This is only my tenth day as the minister. But I’m not going to say that we are not going to look into this matter.”