I'm still junior - Karim

January 20, 2017

KUCHING: Assistant Minister for Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is not expecting a promotion soon given his relatively short tenure in the state cabinet.

Met by reporters after the swearing-in ceremony yesterday, he admitted “I’m still junior” while pointing out that many of his counterparts had served longer than he has.

“I’m still junior. There are still so many assistant ministers who are (more) senior,” he said after the ceremony at the State Legislative Assembly Complex in Petra Jaya here.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, added that it was the prerogative of the chief minister whether he would be promoted to a full cabinet minister later.

“When it comes to this, we leave it to the Chief Minister (Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg).”

Empowering youths to excel

November 12, 2016

Naroden (fourth right) with Abdul Karim on his right and other guests cutting the ribbon to launch the exhibition.

KUCHING: The government will continue to empower youths through skills training and provide them opportunities to excel.

Assistant Minister for Youths and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this was in line with the government’s aspiration to see youths succeed and participate in developing the state.

He added that while it was good for youths to excel in sports, arts and involved in recreational activities, it was equally important for them to become successful entrepreneurs.

“We (government) are really in need of youths who are multi-skilled and farsighted to develop family, state, country and society….so programmes and activities to empower youths will become a continuous agenda of the government,” he assured yesterday.

He told reporters this after a walk-about to the exhibition booths at the compound of the State Indoor Stadium in conjunction with the state level Youth Day Celebration 2016.

Besides the exhibition booths, a ‘Showcase Usahawan Belia Sarawak’ was also held at Stadium Negeri carpark in conjunction with the celebration, which was launched by Assistant Minister for Entrepreneur Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais yesterday.

Naroden told reporters that the exhibition was important to expose youths to explore the various business opportunities available to them.

Galeri: Handover ceremony of sacrificial cows

September 24, 2015

THUMB UP: Assistant Minister of Resource Planning Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Samarahan Member of Parliament Rubiah Wang, Assistant Minister of Rural Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Muara Tuang assemblyman Dato Sri Mohamad Ali Mahmud, and Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo are seen during the handing over of the sacrificial animals.

Galeri: Majlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri Bahagian Samarahan 2015

August 6, 2015

Ketua Menteri Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem memerhati Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah membuat persediaan untuk memotong lemang sempena perasmian Mahlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri Bahagian Samarahan 2015.

Ketua Menteri Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem menyempurnakan  Majlis Penyerahan Geran Tanah dan TOL yang turut diadakan bersamasama Majlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri Bahagian Samarahan 2015. Seramai 347 orang telah menerima geran tanah dan tol dari kawasan Asajaya dan Sadong Jaya.

Galeri: Majlis Ramah-Tamah Aidilfitri DUBS

August 03, 2015

MENJAMU SELERA: Menteri Muda di Pejabat Ketua Menteri (Pembangunan Usahawan Bumiputera) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais dan Menteri Muda Perumahan dan Belia Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah di Majlis Ramah-Tamah Aidilfitri DUBS.

BAKAT TERPENDAM: Menteri Muda Perumahan dan Belia Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menyanyi secara berduet.

Baru urged to consider CM’s invite seriously

 June 1, 2015

SIBU: Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian should consider Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s offer to him to join the state BN if he is serious in wanting to help his people.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi believed the state PKR chairman was wise enough to know that his people needed development.

He reckoned this was also something for Krian assemblyman Ali Biju to think through.

“Why not … if he (Baru) is serious in wanting to help his people. There is no point just talking only, knowing that he cannot deliver or walk the talk.

“He is wise enough not to drag his people into the doldrums much longer. They are in dire need of development, and the chief minister is kind enough to make such offer in public.

“It is up to him and also YB Ali to ponder upon,” Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), told The Borneo Post yesterday.

On Saturday, at the Irau Aco Lun Bawang 2015 festival in Long Tuma in Trusan, Adenan invited Baru to join the state BN.

Abdul Karim: Village Extension Scheme vital for Asajaya

February 26, 2015

Awang Tengah (third left) presents a land title to a recipient. From left are Rozlan, Sajeli, Abdul Karim, Naroden, Rubiah and Aidel. -Source

Some of the villagers with their land titles.

KUCHING: Asajaya is in need of the Village Extension Scheme as the area is developing rapidly.

Assistant Housing Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is Asajaya assemblyman, called on the Land and Survey Department to consider extending the scheme for villages such as Kampung Sambir, second phase of Kampung Tambirat – the biggest village in Asajaya.

“In addition, a new bridge connecting Kampung Tambey and Kampung Baru warrants a Village Extension Scheme in the area too,” he said during a presentation of traditional village land titles and temporary occupation licences (TOLs) yesterday.

Abdul Karim said it is good to see many from the younger generation in the area have chosen to stay on in their villages with their parents, even if they work in the city.

“If they want to stay in Asajaya, they need space to build their own houses. We do not encourage them to build in existing traditional villages, so they need somewhere nearby to build their homes.

“Hence, the Village Extension Scheme is important in order to avoid congestion in the main villages,” he said.

He pointed out that the scheme is helping to fulfil the needs of villagers in Asajaya and hoped more villages would be involved.

Returning Bibles the right move

November 17, 2014

Why those religious books were seized in the first place. - Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: The recent return of 351 Bibles to the rightful owner has been described as a wise and correct decision by two BN Muslim leaders.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, when commenting on the issue yesterday, said the episode should not have happened.

“The seizure should not have happened in the first place; hence, the decision by the authority to return them is a wise decision. They should also apologise to the body who owns the Bibles,” he said.

Naroden, also Assistant Minister of Resource Planning, said the people were followers of different religious figures, but all have faith that there is one creator.

“So why make a big fuss over a name or its use if the word refers to God?”

He echoed Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s statement that the people were free to believe in any established religion and that the term Allah to refer to God Almighty was not an issue in the state.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah also said returning the Bibles was a correct move.

Galeri: Handing over of TBS' financial aid to mosques and suraus in Samarahan, Sadong Jaya and Asajaya

July 11, 2014

Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (second right) and his wife Toh Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib (right) present aid from TBS to a representative from Darul Taqwa mosque. Also seen are Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (third right), Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais (fourth right) and Datuk Julaihi Narawi (fifth right).

Karim: Govt targets zero squatters in state by 2020

May 8, 2014

KUCHING: Land and Survey Department census shows there are 2,507 household heads in squatter areas on government land in Piasau, Pujut and Senadin constituencies.

Assistant Housing Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told the august house yesterday in response to Pujut assemblyman Fong Pau Teck’s question on the status of squatters in Miri which totaled about 4,000.

“The record given was based on a comprehensive survey carried out on those squatting on government land only and excluding those on private land,” Karim pointed out.

On plans and measures taken to tackle squatter issues in the state, Karim said the government had implemented various schemes and initiatives in an effort to achieve zero squatter status by 2020.

“First, a management and settlement committee was set up under the state Housing Ministry and Land and Survey Department to address squatter issues and the committee meets twice a year,” he said.

Karim added that the government had also implemented the state squatter action plan approved in 2010 which was monitored by the committee.

“This plan comprised strategic courses covering aspects of local planning, enforcement and development of housing in order to address squatter issues in a comprehensive and integrated manner.

Former deputy minister Bujang Ulis dies

 February 4, 2014

He will be remembered as a friendly and approachable minister for Sarawakian students who studied in Kuala Lumpur during his days as deputy education minister - Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

Maimunah (centre) flanked by her daughters at Bujang’s grave during the burial ceremony at the Samariang Muslim cemetery yesterday.

KUCHING: Datuk Bujang Ulis the former Deputy Education Minister and three-term Member of Parliament of Simunjan, died in his house at Kpg Semariang Jaya, Petra Jaya early yesterday morning at the age of 66.

Bujang had also served as Deputy Primary Industries Minister from 1980 to 1983 before becoming Deputy Education Minister from 1984 to 1986. He was a former vice-president of PBB and MP for Simunjan from 1978 to 1990.

Simunjan parliamentary constituency has been re-delineated into a state seat.

He quit PBB in 1987 with several other leaders to form Persatuan Rakyat Malaysia Sarawak (Permas).

Prior to his political career, Bujang was a teacher. He taught at SMK Simunjan, SMK Tun Openg and was the principal of SMK Three Rivers school in Mukah.

Among those who paid their last respects to the former MP was one of his former students Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais who ironically is the state assemblyman of Simunjan.

Naroden remembered his former teacher as a down to earth and jovial man.

Galeri: ‘Don’t force our hands’

January 22, 2014

Abdul Rahman (centre) speaking on his phone to a supplier while referring to a receipt provided by a sundry goods stall operator to seek an explanation for increased prices of certain goods. Looking on are an unidentified stall operator and Abdul Karim (right).

Galeri: Jangan memanipulasi harga barang

January 22, 2014

PANTAU HARGA: Abdul Rahman memantau harga barang di Medan Niaga Satok sambil diperhatikan Naroden dan Karim.

RM487,298 dibayar ngagai 200 peranak ungkup projek Jalai Mangut-Tuie-Supa

November 21, 2013

KUCHING: Sepenyampau RM487,298 dibayar ngagai 200 iku peranak ungkup bayar pampas tanah dikena ngaga projek Jalai Mangut-Tuie-Supa, ku Menteri Muda Pengatur Pemansang Pengeraja Asal Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais.

Iya madah 200 iku peranak tu sida ke beempu Tanah Hak Adat Bumiputera (NCR) ke sah lalu pengawa mayar pampas udah tembu ba taun 2010.

“Naka kediatu, pemujur fizikal projek iya nya 87 persin nitihka timpuh, lalu dipelabaka tembu ba Januari taun nyin ila,” ku iya maya nyaut tanya Mohammad Razi Sitam (BN-Saribas) ba Aum Kunsil Nengeri, nengeri Sarawak ditu, kemari.

Lebuh nyaut tanya Ripin Lamat (BN-Lambir), bisi ke enda perintah merambu ngungkupka lot rumah semina ngagai raban nembiak aja, Mohd Naroden madah perintah bedau bisi perambu baka nya.

Kelimpah ari nya, Menteri Muda Pengawa Berumah Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah madah, nyentuk ke 6 Nov tu tadi, sepenyampau 58,766 peminta udah diterima ungkup semua projek rumah ungkus murah enggi Gerempung Pemansang Pengawa Berumah (HDC) di serata Sarawak.

“Nitihka persin peminta, Kuching ngerikutka 51 persin (%), Sibu (13%), Samarahan (12%), Bintulu (5%), Miri enggau Sarikei sama ngerikutka 4.6 persin ungkup projek rumah ungkus murah HDC,” ku iya maya nyaut tanya Martin Ben (BN-Kedup).

Maya nyaut tanya Razaili Gapor (BN-Beting Maro) ke deka nemu enggau silik, bisi ke enda perintah merambu ngemansangka baru rumah rayat di Pusa, Abdul Karim madah, HDC diatu benung merambu pekara nya.

Abg Jo remains as Saberkas chief, Karim elected as vice-presidents

June 24, 2013

DYNAMIC LINE-UP: Abang Johari perceives the Saberkas new line-up for the 2013-2016 term as representative of a young and dynamic team of professionals. Also seen is Saberkas secretary-general Datuk Aidan (right).

KUCHING: Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg retained his post as president of Sarawak National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) which also saw the election of a new deputy-president and three new vice-presidents.

State Legislative Assembly (DUN) deputy speaker Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn who was formerly a vice-president took up the role as deputy-president to replace Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas.

The Betong MP decided not to seek re-election due to his commitment in Putrajaya as Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities. Abang Johari mentioned that Uggah will continue to help with the development of Saberkas as the latter has planned to set up a palm oil seedling project which will involve the association.

The three newly elected vice-presidents are Youth Development Assistant Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi and Samariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali who is the first woman elected as a vice-president of Saberkas.

The trio replaced former International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office Datuk Naroden Majais, Jason Tai Hee and Sagah. Assistant Sports Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin was re-elected as vice-president.

Saberkas secretary-general Datuk Aidan Wing and deputy secretary-general Dato Paul Teo Choo Tee also retained their respective posts. The new committee, to serve for the 2013-2016 term, also saw the election of 25 new ordinary exco-members which included Engkilili assemblyman Johnical Rayong Ngipa.

“I hope that Saberkas would be able to continue playing its role to help the government and youths in the state mainstream development up to the year 2030.

Galeri: Majlis Penyerahan Kunci Rumah Bintulu

June 13, 2013

Datuk Amar Abang Johari (third right) handing over a mock house key to one of the tenants of PPR Bandaria

Park Flats, as (from left) Abdul Karim, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Datuk Francis Harden and Datuk Naroden Majais

look on.

Galeri: Perasmian Spotlight Vol 1

March 1, 2013

RASMI … Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg merasmikan Spotlight Vol 1 di Kuching 

malam semalam. Turut kelihatan (dari kiri) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Datuk Naroden Majais,

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Cinqasa Sendirian Berhad Amin Aznizan, Datuk Talib Zulpilip dan

Datu Misnu Taha. 

Galeri: Majlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri BERNAS 2012

September 15, 2012

FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan (fifth left) presents a cheque to a representative of the Methodist Children’s Home Sibu. Also seen from left are Assistant Minister of Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Fadillah Yusof, Beras Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Mohd Kamaluddin Mohd Effendie, Assistant Minister of Resource Planning Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais (centre) and Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan (third right). 

Galeri: Press Conference on the State Housing Coordination Committee Meeting

January 17, 2012

REDUCING SQUATTERS: Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg (second left) flanked by Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais (second right) fielding reporters’ questions during the press conference.