Sabah DUN’s push for amendment ‘a little too late’ — Abdul Karim

April 21, 2019

KUCHING: The Sabah State Legislative Assembly’s (DUN) Sabah recent endorsement to push for Parliament to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution has been called ‘is a little too late’.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the endorsement should have been done before the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government tabled the amendment Bill in Parliament earlier this month.

“If the amendment Bill had been referred to the two states (Sabah and Sarawak) for deliberation and endorsement (before being tabled and debated in Parliament), probably it would be worth it for the DUN of the two states to debate on it.

Minister: Federal govt lacks sincerity in restoring status of Sarawak, Sabah

April 6, 2019

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah feels that the federal government lacks sincerity when it comes to restoring the status of Sarawak and Sabah.

He expresses his disappointment over the Bill seeking to amend Clause (2) of Article 1 of the Federal Constitution, regarding it as ‘unacceptable and totally ridiculous’ for such Bill to be presented to the MPs at the 11th hour.

“The MPs were not given enough time to study the Bill.

PH tidak ikhlas mengembalikan hak Sarawak

April 05, 2019

KUCHING: Kerajaan pusat yang dipimpin Pakatan Harapan (PH) tidak ikhlas untuk mengembalikan hak Sarawak dan Sabah mengikut semangat dalam Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63).

Perkara itu ditegaskan Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah ketika mengulas mengenai Rang Undang-Undang (RUU) Pindaan Perkara 1 (2) Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang dibacakan kali pertama di Dewan Rakyat, Khamis lepas.

"Secara peribadi saya amat kecewa dengan RUU ini, ketika kali pertama Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad mengumumkan untuk mengembalikan hak Sabah dan Sarawak, beliau tahu akan prinsip 'rakan kongsi' yang mana 'Borneo States' dan 'States of Malaya' merupakan entiti yang menubuhkan Persekutuan Malaysia ketika sambutan Hari Malaysia di Sabah tahun lepas.

Draf pindaan Perkara 1(2) Perlembagaan Persekutuan mesti diberi lebih awal: Karim

April 04, 2019

KUCHING: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karum Rahman Hamzah menegaskan bahawa draf pindaan Perkara 1(2) Perlembagaan Persekutuan mesti diberikan kepada ahli parlimen lebih awal.

Beliau menegaskan, ahli parlimen seharusnya diberikan draf berkenaan sekurang-kurangnya seminggu sebelum Rang Undang-Undang (RUU) pindaan dibentang seterusnya dibahaskan.

“Dalam kes biasa, sama ada persidangan parlimen atau Dewan Undangan Negeri, bagi mana-mana RUU sama ada baharu atau pindaan, draf mengenai pindaan mesti diberikan kepada ahli dewan sekurang-kurangnya seminggu sebelum bacaan pertama, kedua dan dibahas-kan, ujarnya.

Pelawan rep reminded MA63 talks began before PH took over Putrajaya

January 8, 2019

SIBU: DAP Sarawak deputy chairman David Wong appears to have ‘short memory’ when insinuating that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government ought to be credited for initiating discussion on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through the setting-up of the Special Cabinet Committee.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the Pelawan assemblyman seems unaware that discussions on the devolution of power between Putrajaya and the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak were ongoing even before the last general election.

“It (discussion) did not come about only after PH came to power. He (Wong) should recall that the late Pehin Sri Adenan (Satem) raised these issues on state rights that diminished through the years since 1963 including our rights on oil and gas, and he had asked for a return of these rights,” he said yesterday.

All-round support for GPS motion

November 7, 2018

Abdul Karim (right) listens as his ministry’s permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee makes a point in the lobby of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex yesterday.

Assemblypersons from all political divides agree on move to form Consultative Committee on MA63

KUCHING: Sarawak achieved another milestone yesterday at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) after all the assemblypersons from both government and the opposition sides unanimously voted in favour of establishing a Consultative Committee to determine and agree upon the representations for submission to the Sarawak representatives of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Steering Committee.

The setting up of the Consultative Committee to comprise members from all political parties represented in the august house was moved by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (PBB-Asajaya) in his ministerial motion under Standing Order 23(1)(a) read together with Standing Order 89 and Article 24(1) of the State Constitution.

The Consultative Committee was proposed as a response to the formation of MA63 Steering Committee on Sept 5 chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which was described as being lopsided because it had only three representations from Sarawak.

All round aye for establishment of Consultative Committee

November 6, 2018

Abdul Karim giving his winding up speech after 31 members of DUN debated on his ministerial motion for the the establishment of the Consultative Committee in the State Legislative Assembly today.

KUCHING: All members of the State Legislative Assembly including the opposition were unanimous today to support the establishment of a Consultative Committee to determine and agree upon the representations for submission to the Sarawak representatives of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Steering Committee.

This was in response to the formation of MA63 Steering Committee on Sept 5 and chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which was described as being lopsided with only three representations from Sarawak.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (PBB – Asajaya) moved the establishment of the Consultative Committee in his ministerial motion under Standing Order 23(1)(a) read together with Standing Order 89 and Article 24(1) of the State Constitution.

‘Immigration autonomy integral right of Sarawak in MA63’

September 19, 2018

KUCHING: Opposition MP, Umno stalwart and supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz has been told to read back history books on how Malaysia was formed before making presumptions that Sarawak will lose its immigration autonomy upon gaining equal status with Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia as regions.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday said immigration autonomy is an integral right of Sarawak and there should not be any compromise on it.

“Likewise, it’s the same with the status of Sarawak as signatory to the Malaysia Agreement.

“Sarawak penned the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) with Federation of Malaya and not with Perak or any of the Malayan states,” pointed out Abdul Karim, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) vice president and Asajaya assemblyman.

Read up on history, Sarawak minister hits back at Amanah leader

August 24, 2018

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah also says Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin's outburst justifies decision to bar him from entering the state.

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says Sabah, Sarawak retain their immigration rights under the Malaysia Agreement in 1963.

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has slammed an Amanah leader for labelling the state’s decision to bar him from entering a legacy of Barisan Nasional.

Karim said Amanah Youth vice-chief Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin should read up on history, especially on rights of Sabah and Sarawak, when the two nation-states signed the Malaysia Agreement in 1963.

The PBB vice-president said the agreement stipulated the two states had the right to bar those they felt were “undesirable to the state”.

‘Pouring cold water’ tantamount to disloyalty to the state

March 9, 2018

SIBU: State DAP and PKR are slammed for ‘pouring cold water’ on whatever efforts are put forth by the chief minister and state BN to claim the state’s rights which have been eroded over the years.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president, said it was sad to see these opposition leaders taking such a stand.

He was reacting to the press statements from state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen and state PKR vice chairman See Chee How.

Setting up of high-level committee on MA63 good for Sarawak, says Abdul Karim

February 12, 2018

KUCHING: The recent announcement that Putrajaya will set up a high-level committee to negotiate with Sarawak on outstanding issues regarding the state’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) should augur well for Sarawak.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it should serve as a platform for the state’s high-level committee headed by the three Deputy Chief Ministers to carry out negotiations with the federal government.

“The Prime Minister has said that a high-level committee will be set up to negotiate with the state on our rights that were eroded over the years. It is an ongoing process,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.

Go ahead and debate with Lina, Abdul Karim tells Pandikar

December 2, 2017

KUCHING: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia should just proceed to debate with STAR president Lina Soo on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that Pandikar is not qualified to debate with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“Our Chief Minister’s position is too high for you, Pandikar to challenge.

“Lina Soo from STAR has accepted your challenge to debate. Just accept the challenge,” he said yesterday.

Unfair or not, Sarawak subject to tourism tax

June 14, 2017

Sarawak minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, however, says the manner surrounding the implementation of the tax is unfair.

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has conceded that come July 1, the state, too, will be subjected to the new tourism tax, despite his calls for it to be deferred.

This, said the Sarawak tourism, arts, culture, youth and sports minister,was because taxation powers rested with the Federal Government, not the state.

However, he insisted that the manner surrounding the implementation of the tax was unfair.

Amicable solution to be sought

June 12, 2017

Minister says state govt to discuss Tourism Tax at next meeting to resolve disagreement over its implementation

Abdul Karim (centre) stirring the ‘bubur lambuk’ before distributing it to the people during yesterday’s event.

KUCHING: The state cabinet will discuss in detail the implementation of the Tourism Tax in the state at a state cabinet meeting that will be held soon.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the outcome from the state cabinet meeting will enable the state government to come up with a follow up action on the issue.

“I believe it (Tourism Tax) will be discussed in the coming state cabinet meeting and we will make a follow up from that. This matter is higher than my ministry. 

It is the sole right of the state government and the people of Sarawak,” Abdul Karim told reporters after presenting ‘bubur lambuk’ and ‘bubur pedas’ to the people at an event at Sarawak Plaza here yesterday.

The event was organised by Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia Sarawak branch in cooperation with Borneo Island Big Bikers (BIBB).

Leaders welcome PM’s readiness to discuss MA63

November 13, 2016

KUCHING: State Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders have welcomed the readiness of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to discuss the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the readiness shown by Najib showed that the Prime Minister is practical.

“I am sure he can feel how the people of Sarawak and Sabah feel. It is good for him to reciprocate and come up with this statement that he is willing to discuss with Sabah and Sarawak leaders on MA63 if this agreement had been misinterpreted by Putrajaya all these years,” he said yesterday.

“I am sure this statement from him will go a long way in building a more prosperous and united Malaysia.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, said that the form of discussion between the federal government and state governments of Sabah and Sarawak must done in the right manner.

“In what form (will the discussions be held); within the four walls, or in the open via the State Legislative Assemblies of Sabah and Sarawak. This we need to know,” he said.

“I would prefer the discussion on MA63 within the four walls. Then, Putrajaya and the two East Malaysia states will have serious and meaningful discussions on important matters without input from the opposition, who will certainly politicise the matters just for the sake of publicity.”

More ‘ayes’ to making S’wak equal partner in Federation

October 25, 2016

Senior leaders of Sarawak BN parties back Chief Minister Adenan Satem's motion on Article 1(2) to be moved at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.

KUCHING: Two Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders see the proposed motion in the Sarawak Assembly on Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution as a timely move.

“Malaysia was formed based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and related constitutional documents. All parties must respect these documents,” said a PBB Supreme Council Member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He argued it would be wrong to take the position that constitutional documents on Malaysia were no longer relevant with the Federal Constitution in place, Free Malaysia Today reported - quoting The Borneo Post report.

The bottom line, he said, was that many of Sarawak’s rights (as those of Sabah) had been eroded over the years.

“This has to be corrected,” summed up Karim. “The proposed motion is the first step,” he was quoted as saying.

Two earlier motions, on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and oil and gas, were passed unanimously.

Sabah and Sarawak, before the amendment, were equal partners of Malaya in the Federation of Malaysia.

Sarawak is also Petronas' political master - not only Federal Government

Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah welcomed the State Government's decision to freeze all new applications for work permits for Petronas' personnel posted to the state.

He said the measure was definitely a good and welcome news to all Sarawakians, and showed that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem was truly serious about this matter.

“I’m very happy to hear that all new employment permits from Petronas have been frozen until particulars sought by the state government are furnished. 

"Petronas must know that their political master is not just the federal government, but the state government too," he told a local English daily yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Youth and Sports Minister, reiterated that Sarawakians had been ‘insulted’ by Petronas for too long and wanted this to be stopped.

“I have said that we do not want Petronas to ‘insult’ us. 

"They have insulted us for far too long on this employment of Sarawakians matter and we want them to change their policy. Lest, we will have to tighten it on our side." 

Sarawak BN rep says high time to revisit MA63

December 9, 2015

Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak denies that it’s trying to jump on the “popularity bandwagon” created by the Opposition on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and claims that in fact Chief Minister Adenan Satem led the way.

KUCHING: An assemblyman who seconded a motion in the Sarawak Assembly calling on the Federal Government to comply with the intentions of the Founding Fathers in Borneo, as expressed in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said that it (compliance) was an idea whose time has come.

“It’s high time to revisit the agreement. There’s increasing pressure on the Sarawak Government in the social media. People are raising the MA63 and asking all sorts of questions. The government has to respond.”

Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Hamzah, also the Assistant Minister of Housing, disclosed that the Sarawak Government has since set up many committees on MA63.

He pointed out that it cannot be denied that there was a lot of unhappiness in Sarawak about the territory’s state of under-development despite over half a century of Federation with the peninsula and Sabah. “There are also questions on oil and gas rights, education, the status of the English language and freedom of worship. We are very unhappy that Sarawak, like Sabah, has been dragged into the Allah issue in the peninsula.”

Abdul Karim was explaining the motion introduced this week by Baleh assemblyman James Masing, also Sarawak Minister for Land Development. “After more than 50 years, there are various factors that ought to be looked into and considered.”

“Has MA63 been complied with?”

The Assistant Minister said that he doesn’t want to dwell on areas that have been eroded over the years and added that these have been raised by Chief Minister Adenan Satem. “Adenan has raised these issues in the State Assembly, in public in Sarawak and in the peninsula.”