‘Investigate no-case decision’

November 2, 2017

Minister wants MACC to probe release of logs, vehicles seized during raid on illegal logging

SIBU: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah calls for a thorough investigation into the ‘no case’ decision by the investigation committee on the alleged illegal timber logging in Bintulu.

Smelling a rat, he said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should also look into this matter to investigate whether there is any case of officials acting beyond their powers.

He was responding to The Borneo Post front page article headlined ‘Puzzled over release of seized logs, machinery worth millions’ dated Nov 1, where the director of Forest Department Sapuan Ahmad had confirmed the release of the logs and vehicles seized during the raid on alleged illegal timber logging.

Relook how schools, varsities mould students, says Sarawak leader

April 21, 2017

Sarawak Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says it is worrying that a significant number of undergraduates are willing to accept bribes or bribe others to get things done.

SIBU: There is something wrong in the way schools and universities mould students if as many as 16% of undergraduates are willing to take bribes, Sarawak Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.

“There is a real need for a relook into how we mould our school and varsity students so that they will always be of high moral standing, God fearing and despising corruption as a way of life,” the Borneo Post quoted him as saying.

He was commenting on a recent study which showed that 16% of undergraduates were willing to accept bribes.

The Corruption Prevention Action Effectiveness Perception Study among students by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) last year showed that this group of students were willing to accept bribes if they had the opportunity and power to do so.

In 2014 and 2015, only 11.3% and 10.7% of the students, respectively, had stated their willingness to accept bribes.

Abd Karims laughs at Ling’s call for MACC probe

October 07, 2016

SIBU: Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah laughs off DAP Sarawak secretary Alan Ling’s call for Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the frequent political defections in Sabah.

“I am amused by Sarawak DAP secretary Alan Ling calling for MACC to probe into the mass defection of elected representatives and senior party members from PKR and DAP in Sabah.

“I believe there must be good reasons for the key leaders to switch camps or opt to leave their original parties and the only thing I can think of is that they have given up hope on the struggle of their original parties,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Ling reportedly claimed there was a need to do so (investigation) as many electorates perceived those ‘frogging’ as money politics at play.

He made the call on Wednesday following the exit of several Sabah PKR and DAP leaders last week, and further said he believed many cases of politicians quitting for other platforms to champion their struggles were genuine, but not all of them.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, added: “Those who moved are no ordinary members. Many are YBs holding key positions in their respective parties. They are also professionals in their own right.

“Insinuating that they are being bought and calling for MACC to probe into their financial background is an insult to these leaders.”

Abdul Karim suspicious with motive

August 06, 2016

KUCHING: Sarawak Cycling Association (SCA) president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was baffled with the ongoing investigation by the Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) on the SUKMA cycling venues.

He said he just couldn't dismiss the possibilities of some quarters were trying to project a negative image of the association or the State.

Abdul Karim, as quoted by a national English daily yesterday, said there had been a lot of nasty and unflattering remarks hurled against the association that had caused him to be suspicious on the current issue revolving around the organisation of SUKMA.

“Is this the work of disgruntled people who are unhappy because they were unable to get benefits from the association or are they just trying to tarnish the state’s image over our successful feat in organising this year’s Sukma?” he asked.

He, however, said SCA would cooperate with the MACC in its probe.

Meanwhile Sarawak MACC director Datuk Badrul Shah Norman had confirmed that the commission had questioned 6 persons, including the SCA secretary Zulaihi Seri, as to ascertain whether there was any element of corruption involved in the venues’ substandard facilities.

“This is true. We have recorded statements from six witnesses, including the (association) secretary, since Monday. 

Abdul Karim welcomes MACC probe on Sukma cycling events

August 4, 2016

KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah welcomes the investigation carried out by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) on misappropriation of funds for cycling events at the just concluded 18th Sukma here.

He said the investigation was carried out to find if there was any wrongdoing.

“An official statement will be forthcoming. MACC is doing their investigation in the event of any wrongdoing and I welcome that,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.

He was asked to comment on the shocking revelation that MACC raided the homes of two cycling officials here on Monday where they seized documents related to the organisation of cycling events at Sukma.

A national daily reported that the raid was said to be part of an investigation following allegations that had gone viral on social media where the local cycling community posted pictures of shoddy

props including a haphazardly erected start-and-finish gantry with scaffolding poles at the track events and voiced their outrage over the poor organisation of the cycling events.

It was also reported that several Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) commissaries had made it known that the BMX track in Bukit Siol was not up to the required standard although constructed with an allocation of RM1 million from the state government.