‘Enhance Selangau Fest to become international event’

May 16, 2017

SIBU: Selangau Festival can become an international event if it is enriched and better promoted, said Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

“Whether one ‘festival’ has the potential to be promoted internationally or not depends on what that festival has to offer, and the kind of promotion given to it.

“If the Selangau Festival has lots to offer, good promotion, easier connectivity…I don’t see any reason why it should not be promoted to international level,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun when officiating at the opening of the festival last Friday said the event could place Selangau town as a tourist destination in the future, provided it was more creatively promoted.

He said new activities must be introduced to make the festival exciting.

Sarawak BN leaders question PBS’ motive in spreading wings beyond its shores

November 16, 2015

SIBU: Sarawakians are in the good hand of state-based parties under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, hence there is no need for outside party/s to provide ‘advice’.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said yesterday Sarawakians are standing solidly behind Adenan’s leadership.

Dr Rundi was asked to comment on the media report of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), with the green light from the Registrar of Societies (ROS), spreading its wings to Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

PBS president Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan in his speech at the party’s delegates conference had requested that PBS’ application to expand to the peninsula and Sarawak be looked into.

“Whatever their (PBS) reasons are, this is a democratic country and they are free to decide as they deem fit, subject to ROS approval.

“But as far as Sarawak and Sarawakians are concerned – we are confident that we are in the good hand of Sarawak-based parties and we trust the leadership of our YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan and will stand steadfastly behind him.

“And I don’t think we need any party/s outside Sarawak to tell us what is best for us and what to do for the better future for Sarawakians,” Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), told The Borneo Post.

Karim does not surprise with Larry's decision

August 31, 2013

“I wish him all the best.” 

Yang Berhormat Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: The willingness of Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) to work with DAP revealed SWP’s true colour, PRS deputy president Datuk Joseph Entulu said.

He said it would not affect BN’s chance of winning in the next state election.

To him, SWP’s assistance to the Peninsula-based DAP is of little significance since DAP’s strength would remain in the urban only.

“If it is rural areas, SWP had been proven to be not accepted in these places. They may claim they have some strength based on the number of votes they got.

“But in actual fact, those are always the votes of the opposition. Secondly, in areas where they had no personal interest, they led their candidates struggled on their own, even losing deposits in the recent parliamentary election.

“Such was the case in Kanowit and Sri Aman. This means that they have no support anywhere,” he told The Borneo Post.

In May 5 polls, SWP contested in all PRS’s six seats, namely Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Julau, Kanowit, Hulu Rajang and Selangau but lost all with two of its (SWP) candidates – Wilfred Landong (Sri Aman) and Ellison Ludan (Kanowit) losing their deposits.

DAP’s ‘Ulu drive’ won’t succeed — BN leaders

May 27, 2013

“DAP Sarawak only fight for Chinese education and cultures only. DAP mostly addresses issues in urban areas only. DAP hardly go to rural areas.” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah 

Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi

SIBU: The state BN is well prepared to thwart any attempts by the DAP to mislead the people in their bid to establish a support base in the rural areas.

Its secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said this yesterday when asked to comment on DAP’s plan to embark on a ‘Ulu drive’ as it mounts early preparations for the 11th state election.

“We anticipated their moves and are fully prepared to counter any attempts to mislead the rural people,” Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), told The Borneo Post.

State DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng said the party needed to make early preparations for the state polls and would go the extra mile to reach out to the people.

The 10th state election was held in April 2011, meaning the term of the current State Legislative Assembly (DUN) will only expire in 2016.

Datuk Fadillah Yusof

Meanwhile, state BN Youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof, urged all in the state BN to prepare early for the state polls.

“Get our act together and make sure members are registered as voters. Engage with all the people, listen and understand them, and give the best service in whatever way we can.

“That will be the recipe to win the hearts and minds of the people, and whatever the opposition wants to do is up to them.

“If the people can see and feel that BN can give the best to them, I believe BN will always be the people’s choice,” said Fadillah, who is also Works Minister and Petra Jaya MP.

New cabinet line-up dynamic, says Abdul Karim

May 17, 2013

SIBU: The new cabinet line-up looks dynamic, comprising proactive young leaders and experienced veterans from the political and private sectors, said PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“I am very happy to see recognition given to Sarawak for its role in helping BN win the general election by it being given seven full minister posts…the biggest ever for the state that I know,” Abdul Karim, the Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman said.

The seven full ministers’ appointment for the state is an increase of four compared to the last cabinet.

Abdul Karim added: “Hopefully, with many ministers coming from Sarawak, they could play bigger roles in bringing more development to the state, which has been neglected by some ministries before this.”

Meanwhile, Penghulu Richard Ampi lauded the new cabinet line-up, saying it reflected the far-sightedness and sterling leadership of Najib.

He thanked Najib for the inclusion of more Dayak, which reflected the premier’s confidence in the community.

Citing an example in Datuk Joseph Entulu being elevated to a full minister post, he said, “This is indeed a good representation and augurs well for more development in Sarawak. As community leaders, we are very thankful to our Prime Minister.”