PBB man sees Azmin as arrogant and patronising

August 4, 2018

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah bristles over the minister's statement about the meaning of 'royalty'.

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali has been accused of ‘redefining rights and royalties’.

PETALING JAYA: PBB vice-president Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has accused Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali of displaying arrogance and harbouring a condescending attitude towards the East Malaysian states with his statement about the meaning of “oil royalty”.

Karim doubts Chong’s authority to make offer to Sarawak govt

August 1, 2018

SIBU: Issues on Sarawak’s rights, royalty and territorial jurisdiction are not matters that a federal deputy minister could deliberate on just by holding a press conference, opines Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He points out that these issues are of utmost importance to both Kuala Lumpur, and also Sarawak and Sabah.

He claims that Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen, who is Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman, does not have the authority to speak for and on behalf of the federal government, or Petronas.

Mahathir got it all wrong on 20% royalty, says Sarawak minister

July 21, 2018

PBB vice-president Karim Abdul Rahman Hamzah says there is a big difference between the existing deal Sabah and Sarawak have been receiving, which is 5% of gross sales, and the one Mahathir proposed to give. 

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) veep Karim Abdul Rahman Hamzah says the prime minister is only trying to pacify oil-producing states by saying royalty is increased to 20% of profit.

KUCHING: A Sarawak politician is unimpressed by the recent announcement made by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Sabah and Sarawak will definitely be given a 20% oil royalty but the calculation will be based on profits instead of gross sales.

Speaking to FMT, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Karim Abdul Rahman Hamzah said Mahathir had got it all wrong and his announcement of 20% royalties from profit will not go down well with the people in both the Bornean states.

“Royalty is a payment made to a legal owner of properties while profit is a financial benefit realised when revenue from a business activity exceeds the expenses, production cost and tax.

State DAP chief running out of issues to ‘yell’ about — Abdul Karim

January 23, 2016

SIBU: Assistant Minister of Youth Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes that the reason behind state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen’s claim of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem practising ‘gutter politics’ is because he (Chong) is running out of issues to shout about.

“From what I can see in CM Adenan — he remains steadfast and committed in his cause and will deliver what he says.

“Things that he (Adenan) has promised, he acknowledges (all about) the difficulties on why they could not be delivered just as yet. Still, he promised to continue fighting for them.

“We can see the sincerity in him in whatever things that he advocates and has promised to do,” Abdul Karim told The Borneo Post yesterday, in response to Chong’s statement claiming that Adenan had reduced himself to ‘gutter politics’ by making baseless accusations that the opposition was belittling the state’s fight for greater autonomy.

On this, Abdul Karim — who is PBB supreme council member — remarked: “I don’t see where is the ‘gutter’ that YB Chong was accusing him (Adenan) of.

“The chief minister had promised to reduce electricity tariffs for Sarawak; now, we are enjoying the cheapest electricity in this region. He promised no more alienation of land for private oil palm (companies); so far, he has kept his words.

“He promised that he would come down hard on illegal immigrants; we do know many Suluks and illegals (foreigners) are being repatriated. He promised stern action against illegal logging — we do know that there have been many seizures of illegal logs and (illegally run) sawmills being closed down. CM Adenan promised to ensure that there would be no illegal trawlers coming to steal our fishes — now, stricter enforcement is being undertaken.”

Abdul Karim blasts Baru over statement

January 13, 2016

SIBU: Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday blasted state PKR chairman Baru Bian over his statement that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s barb at the opposition was “insincere and silly”.

Abdul Karim said the statement showed that Baru lacked understanding of what Adenan as the Chief Minister had done thus far to benefit people of Sarawak.

In a press statement, Baru had said he found Adenan’s latest jibe at the opposition on keeping Peninsular Malaysia based parties out of Sarawak rather “insincere and silly” although he had on many occasions tended to agree with the latter’s statements pertaining to the rights of Sarawakians.

The state PKR chief had also pointed out although Adenan had not said so, he (Adenan) did not have the power to restrict the registration of Umno or any other political party in any part of the federation under the laws of Malaysia, adding that the latter was conveniently letting the public labour under the misconception that he did have such power.

The Ba Kelalan assemblyman further said: “By saying ‘not allowing’, we mean that there is an understanding between the state BN and Umno that as long as PBB and its partners hold the majority of seats in Sarawak, Umno will not set up officially in Sarawak.”

On this, Abdul Karim who is Asajaya assemblyman said: “Baru’s latest comment reflects his shallow knowledge and understanding of what Adenan as CM has done this far.

“It was Adenan who as CEO of the state who specifically stated that Umno is not welcome in Sarawak. Not because the Law prohibits them, but because we have state BN parties; PBB, SUPP, PRS and SPDP that could look after Sarawak and its interest.”

Abdul Karim raps opposition at KL forum for lack of succession

October 25, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR: Assistant Minister for Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has criticised the opposition in Sarawak for not grooming the next generation’s leaders, contrary to PBB’s grooming process.

He said “one or so of those sitting from across us in the Dewan (State Legislative Assembly) are in their 20s and elected because of sentiments, yet they don’t know the procedures and how the laws are made.”

In PBB, he said young leaders were groomed for years before they ascend the political ladder.

“Rome wasn’t built in one day. Grooming is the process that we have to go through to progress. In PBB, we have our grooming process. Like me, I was the Youth leader only (when) I was 40 years old.

“But before that, I had been active in politics. I joined PBB at 30. The same goes for others like Saidol and Alexander Linggi who were also groomed,” he said at the Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2015 Forum at Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.

Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg, who was also a panelist at the forum, said PBB had 10 new candidates in every election.

He pointed out that the party always paved the way for the younger generation who could succeed in what their predecessors have achieved.

DAP Sarawak cuba gagalkan rundingan royalti minyak, gas

August 24, 2014

Tindakan tersebut (kenyataan negatif) hanya menjejaskan rundingan yang dilakukan antara kerajaan negeri, Petronas dan kerajaan persekutuan. - Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP) Sarawak didakwa cuba mengagalkan rundingan royalti minyak dan gas antara kerajaan negeri dan kerajaan persekutuan apabila Pengerusinya, Chong Chieng Jen baru-baru ini berkata ekuiti 10 peratus dalam MLNG 4 ditawarkan Petronas kepada Sarawak bukan satu pencapaian yang membanggakan.

Setiausaha Agung Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom berkata, DAP lebih gemar jika rundingan untuk menambah royalti 20 peratus berbanding lima peratus pada masa sekarang gagal.

Stop slamming oil and gas negotiations - Karim

August 24, 2014

KUCHING: The opposition has been called on to stop pouring cold water on the ongoing negotiations between the state government, Petronas, and the federal government on Sarawak’s oil and gas rights.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the proposed 10 per cent stake in Malaysia Liquefied Natural Gas Sdn Bhd (MLNG) 4 as announced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem recently was among the first results of the ongoing negotiations.

Speaking to thesundaypost yesterday, Abdul Karim, who is a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member, said the state government was still negotiating on other areas, which it felt were pertinent for review.

These include opportunities for Sarawak entrepreneurs in the oil and gas industries and educational scholarships, he elaborated.

“It is not fair for YB Chong Chieng Jen (Democratic Action Party Sarawak chairman) to just pour cold water on these ongoing negotiations. Actually, the state committees are going to look into specific areas where Petronas is requested to increase participation, and until a final decision is made, it’s wise for YB Chong to support what the CM and the state government are doing instead of just making a sweeping running down remark,” he said.

Abdul Karim was responding to Chong’s statement that Sarawak’s 10 per cent stake in MLNG 4 “is nothing to shout about”.

The Bandar Kuching member of parliament and Kota Sentosa assemblyman went on to say that the state has held 10 per cent interest in MLNG 2 and 3 since the 1990s, adding that the Chief Minister’s Office should be very well aware that a 10-per cent stake in MLNG 4 “is a totally separate matter to the 20 per cent oil and gas royalty for Sarawak”.

Karim: Sarawakians happy with PM's pledge on royalty request

June 4, 2014

KUCHING: Two state BN leaders yesterday welcomed Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s assurance that the federal government would consider Sarawak’s request for higher oil and gas royalty.

Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak, being a big state and a major contributor to the national coffer, deserved to be given more funds to build the needed infrastructure in many areas.

“We do not want to lag behind the other states be it in terms of roads, education, utilities, housing and others,” he said when contacted yesterday.

The motion for a hike in oil and gas royalty from the present five per cent to 20 per cent was unanimously passed in the State Legislative Assembly last month. It was a historic moment of sorts as both sides of the political divide supported the motion.

During his speech at the Malaysia Gawai Dayak Open House on Monday, the prime minister said the federal government would “give utmost consideration on this matter (request).”

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development, said the royalty agreement was signed in 1974, and as such it was time for a review.

“It cannot be static. On the other hand, the good federal-state government relationship and political stability need to be maintained for the state and nation to prosper.