Baru’s comments on Najib draw flak from Abdul Karim

October 21, 2015

SIBU: Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday blasted state PKR chairman Baru Bian’s comments on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, said this only reflected that Baru had run out of issues on Sarawak and his attempt to be seen as still relevant as an opposition leader.

Appalled by Baru’s comments and his views on Najib’s statement, the PBB Supreme Council member, added: “Firstly, Baru’s flip flop comment on PKR relationship with DAP on state Pakatan Rakyat reflects his incapability in steering state PKR.

“At one point, he is seen as ‘true and true’ with PAS and would not stab this Pakatan partner.

“Suddenly he is toying with the idea of accepting the new ‘Parti Amanah’ and working things out with DAP/Amanah in the next election.”

He was commenting on Ba Kelalan assemblyman’s statement that he (Baru) was appalled by Najib’s effrontery in continuing to make statements, which he claimed the ‘rakyat’ (people) were tired of hearing and which only the most gullible die-hard Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters would believe.

Abdul Karim said Baru had now run out of issues against state BN and the chief minister and had resorted to ‘attacking’ Najib.

Karim terharu dengan sokongan padu penduduk Kampung Baru terhadap Barisan Nasional

August 7, 2013

ASAJAYA, Selasa — Menteri Muda Perumahan dan Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah melahirkan rasa terharu atas sokongan penduduk Kampung Baru terhadap Barisan Nasional dalam Pilihanraya Umum (PRU) ke-13 yang lepas.

Beliau menyifatkan sokongan yang padu ini telah membantu Barisan Nasional mendapat kemenangan dalam pilihanraya tersebut.

Karim, merangkap ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) N14 Asajaya, berkata sedemikian telah menyempurnakan majlis sumbangan duit raya kepada golongan kurang upaya di kampung berkenaan.

Seramai 139 orang penerima sumbangan tersebut merangkumi 109 orang warga emas dan ibu tunggal selain 30 orang anak-anak yatim.

Menyentuh tentang sambutan hari raya, beliau mengingatkan agar bersederhana dalam menyambut lebaran selain bijak menguruskan perbelanjaan. 

"Setiap kali menjelangnya perayaan pasti besar keperluan yang akan digunakan. 

"Namun, kita harus lebih bijak menguruskan perbelanjaan dan elakkan diri dari berbelanja dengan boros," katanya. 

Lihat pelaksanaan GST dari sudut positif

October 26, 2013

KUCHING: Lihat pelak­sanaan Cukai Barang dan Perkhidmatan (GST) dari sudut positif dan bukan semata-mata hendak mem­bantah.

Menteri Muda Perumahan Datuk Abdul Karim Rah­man Hamzah berkata, orang ramai akan lebih berhemah dalam berbelanja terutama ketika memilih barangan atau perkhidmatan bersifat kehendak dan keperluan.

“Saya percaya rakyat se­lepas satu ketika pelak­sanaan GST akan dapat menyesuaikan diri dengan kaedah percukaian baharu yang diperkenalkan kerajaan pada tahun 2015 kelak,” katanya ketika dihubungi susulan pembentangan Bajet 2014 semalam.

Abdul Karim berkata, pelaksanaan GST juga pada peringkat permulaan tid­ak membabitkan beberapa barangan dan perkhidmatan yang digunakan oleh keban­yakan orang.

Katanya, sudah tiba masa bagi Malaysia memperkenal­kan GST apabila kebanyakan negara di dunia termasuk yang maju telah lama melak­sanakannya.

“Ia bukan satu perkara baharu, malah ia telah cuba diperkenalkan kerajaan kira-kira 10 tahun sebelum ini.

“Ini adalah cara yang dikenal pasti kerajaan dapat mening­katkan keberkesanan sistem percukaian,” katanya.

Karim laugh off Chee How's good dream of ousting BN in state election

July 17, 2013

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday laughed off Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s confidence in ousting Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next state election.

He said the statement by state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-chairman See Chee How was like “having a good dream”.

“Well… it is always beautiful to have good dreams… he (See Chee How) can keep on dreaming,” he responded yesterday when asked for his opinion on See’s statement that PR was confident of victory in the next state election, and would go all out to oust BN.

Among others, See, who is Batu Lintang assemblyman, was quoted as saying that PR was gearing towards capturing power in the state in the next state election.

“So the next state election, we (PR) are going all out not for ourselves, but for the people in general,” he said.

Sarawak has 71 state constituencies. Abdul Karim pointed out that without sounding arrogant, the state cannot be equated with other states.

“The state BN component parties had looked after the state, and the people are generally happy despite the instigation and mudslinging by PR,” he stressed, citing the 13th general election (GE13) in May.

‘Big BN win in Kota Samarahan proves critics wrong’

May 26, 2013

SYMBOLIC: Karim performs the symbolic ‘tepung tawar’ on Rubiah and 

her husband Salleh Wasli.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: The big win achieved by Barisan Nasional candidate Rubiah Wang once again proved that Kota Samarahan is a BN stronghold despite the countering claim by the opposition prior to election.

Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the mandate given by the people back to BN during the recently concluded 13th General Election is a clear statement of the people’s trust towards the ruling government’s track record.

“BN won with a big majority of 17,401 which clearly proven BN is the people’s choice over here which cannot be denied,” said Karim.

He was speaking at the BN Thanksgiving celebration for Kota Samarahan parliamentary constituency at SMK Asajaya 2 hall yesterday.

On another matter, Karim pointed out those branch leaders who were ineffective should pave way for new faces to lead the party branches.

“We need new faces to lead branches as new blood will bring in new ideas. We do note that there were ineffective branch leaders who still hold the post,” he elaborated.

Meanwhile, Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang in her speech said the Sarawakians’ trust and confidence towards BN was duly paid off after seven MPs from the state were appointed as full ministers in various ministries.

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.”

Abdul Karim hits out at Anwar over rally

May 10, 2013, Friday

SIBU: The tendency to disrespect the democratic process and voice of the people by holding rallies to vent displeasure does not augur well for the country’s peace, stability and economic prosperity, said PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

He also said PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should not try to change the outcome of last Sunday’s 13th general election by pointing out to alleged discrepancies in certain constituencies depending on his “whims and fancies”.

“It is creating anxiety, instability and not doing good to the economy and business and of course, foreign investors’ confidence…and not forgetting the chaos and jam it created.

“Anwar must be able to accept defeat in an honourable way. Malaysia has adopted a system of election process based on election of parliamentary constituencies and not on popular votes and he should not start barking that PR is the winner now just because PR has got more popular votes than BN.

“The election process of identifying winners should not be changed according to his whims and fancies. It is just like in a football match where one team should not change the goalpost just to help a particular team to win,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said.

Therefore, if Anwar felt there were discrepancies and irregularities in the election process, he ought to address them through the proper channel, he added, saying the opposition leader should instead file a petition in the court of law and not organise demonstrations and rallies.

“Indulging in this culture of disobedience by holding rallies and demonstration is bad for the country’s image, economy and youths and the law enforcers must be harsh on him and the organisers.

“Malaysia does not solely belong to Anwar as there are millions of other peace-loving silent Malaysians who don’t support him.

‘BN’s clear victory in S’wak proof of people’s support’

May 7, 2013, Tuesday

SIBU: State Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi yesterday praised Sarawakians for being staunch BN supporters.

“Thank you Sarawakians who steadfastly stood by, supported and voted for BN despite the onslaught by the opposition and we will continue to work hard to serve the people,” the Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) said of BN’s victory in the 13th general election.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, on the other hand, said the result showed that Sarawakians wanted to give a very clear mandate to BN, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

“It is a manifestation that Sarawakians are happy with BN and its policies. The only unfortunate part of it was a glaring trend of Chinese voting for the opposition.

“This glaring polarisation is not healthy for racial harmony especially in a multi-ethnic society like Sarawak or Malaysia. This trend which seems to continue since the last state election and ever since a west Malaysian political party started ‘importing’ Semenanjung style of racial politics has clearly created a divisive racial trend in Sarawak politics too.

“This is the price we have to pay for democracy,” he noted.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, however, hoped leaders of that particular party could see politics and nation building from another perspective.

“Party leaders must be responsible to everyone irrespective of race or religion and must avoid harping on issues that could arouse hatred, ill-will among races or towards leaders,” he stressed.

Concurring with them, state BN youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof said the positive outcome also showed that Malaysians wanted Najib to continue leading the country so as to continue with the various transformation programmes.

And with the strong support registered by BN, particularly in Sarawak, he expressed confidence that the NKRA objectives for the state under the Rural Transformation Programme could be achieved.

He was also optimistic that BN would fulfil the promises it gave to Sarawak, such as the upgrading of the Pan Borneo trunk road.

Election very serious matter – Abdul Karim

May 2, 2013, Thursday

KUCHING: Voters should look beyond personal relationship in choosing their elected representatives during an election which is a serious matter.

Assistant Minister of Housing Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said everyone must look at elections from a broader perspective, and not put personal relationships above everything else.

“There may be cases when we have no choice but to vote against our own family members who are contesting as candidates if we know that the parties they are representing will lead us to a bleak future,” he said at a function to present land ownership offer letters to residents of Kampung Mambong affected by the clinker plant project in the village on Tuesday.

Abdul Karim stressed that election is a serious matter because it would determine the future of the nation.

“So, when casting your votes this Sunday, do not vote for the candidate just because he or she is your relative or friend. Look at their party symbol.”

Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, said voters should vote for the BN in the 13th general election.

“In the case of Mambong parliamentary constituency, BN’s candidate for this area is Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit. His name on the ballot paper will appear as candidate No. 3.”

Abdul Karim slams opposition for not understanding election process

May 2, 2013, Thursday

SIBU: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) cannot be allowed to dictate the election process, as so doing tantamounts to meddling into Election Commission’s (EC) role.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was reacting to news report that the opposition had resorted to blaming EC over ballot papers bearing the names of candidates who had withdrawn from contesting.

EC deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar reportedly said the opposition just refused to understand and chose to blame EC despite several briefings held before the April 20 nomination day.

“Pakatan leaders must be ignorant or simply chose to act stupid and ignorant. The election process has been slightly changed and all parties from both BN and Pakatan had been pre-informed of the several changes to the election process.

“Among them is after the close of nomination at 10am on Nomination Day and if the EC returning officer is satisfied that all candidates who submit their nomination papers qualify to contest then there will be an election.

“There will be no more withdrawal by candidates after that and all the candidates’ names will be in the ballot papers that are to be printed.

“Even if one of the candidates dies or announces to the world that he is withdrawing…his name will still be in the ballot papers,” Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said.

18 pintu ruang bilik bulih surat pala tanah ba Mambong

May 1, 2013

MAMBONG : Pengudah ti kelalu lama nganti iya nya semak 20 taun, 18 pintu ruang bilik ke nguan Kampung Mambong berasai gaga pengudah perintah ngemendarka surat pala tanah ungkup tanah sida ti bisi kena bungkur ketegal projek sebuah Kilang Semen ba endur nya maya taun 1996.

Penulung Menteri Pengawa Berumah enggau Pemansang Nembiak (Bandar) Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah madah, surat pala tanah ke diberi perintah nya asil ari peminta pengari rayat ke endang udah dipilih rayat ngelama tu iya nya pengari BN ba sitak Parlimen Mambong ti deka bediri ba Pengawa Bepilih Besai Ke -13 (PRU13) tu iya nya Dr. James Dawos.

“Nya alai, rayat patut milih orang ke ulih dipechaya ba Dr. James laban iya endang gawa enggau perintah. Kitai enggai meda rayat ba Parlimen Mambong rugi ketegal ngundi penyakal laban udah tu ila nyangka iya (Dr James) dipadu nyadi menteri penuh tauka mengkang megai tanggung pengawa iya ke diatu,” ku Karim.

Iya madah munyi nya rambau Pengerami Nyuaka Surat Pala Tanah Enggau Program RMR Skim Berumah Baru Kampung Mambong ke ditur ba Dewan Mambong, Kampung Mambong semak Jalai Puncak Borneo Kuching kemari (Hari Dua).

Ba pengerami nya, bisi semilan buah ruang bilik dulu nerima surat pala tanah ari 18 buah peminta lalu semua peminta nya bulih pemendar magang. Semilan agi ruang bilik ke bukai deka diberi enda lama agi.

Nangkan ke nya mega, Karim madah ungkup Projek Rumah Mesra Rayat Skim Individu P.198 Mambong, bisi 29 unit rumah udah tembu digaga ba parlimen Mambong.

Projek tu berengkah digaga kena 13 Oktober 2011 lalu tembu kena 11 Oktober 2012.

Rakyat harus bijak memilih

May 1, 2013

PADAWAN: Rakyat harus memilih wakil yang boleh dipercayai dan mampu melaksanakan tanggungjawab dengan baik. Menteri Muda Perumahan Haji Abdul Karim Hamzah berkata pilihan raya adalah bagi menentukan wakil rakyat supaya menjadi suara mereka dalam parlimen dan dewan rakyat. 

"Oleh itu rakyat harus bijak memilih supaya wakil yang dipilih dapat membawa suara seterusnya membantu mereka untuk terus menikmati segala pelaksanaan kerajaan," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada majlis penyerahan Surat Kelulusan Hak Milik Tanah dan Program Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) Skim Penempatan Semula Kampung Mambong di sini petang tadi. 

Menurut beliau rakyat akan rugi sekiranya memilih calon yang tidak boleh melakukan apa-apa untuk membantu mereka. 

Akibatnya, tambah beliau rakyat tidak dapat menikmati segala bentuk pelaksanaan pembangunan oleh kerajaan kerana wakil mereka gagal menyampaikan suara masyarakat diwakili.

Abdul Karim yang juga Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) berkata masyarakat Mambong sepatutnya merasa bangga kerana calon Barisan Nasional (BN) yang bertanding dalam Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-13 (PRU13) merupakan anak jati Mambong.

Di samping itu, katanya calon Dato Sri Dr James Dawos Mamit mempunyai jawatan penting dalam parlimen iaitu Timbalan Menteri Pelancongan. 

We don’t ignore rights of minorities — Karim

April 27, 2013, Saturday

SIBU: Malaysia is formed on a platform of equality and freedom, thus the feelings of the minority, their culture and belief should not be ignored, said PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He was reacting to PAS deputy spiritual leader Datuk Dr Haron Din’s statement that Hudud laws would be implemented if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ruled the country.

“PAS is a party formed by Islamic fundamentalists to change Malaysian political system to ‘their’ type of Islamic government based on their type of Islamic Laws and using ‘Hudud Laws’ as their mode of enforcing their laws.

“In a multi-religious and multi-racial society like Malaysia, it is unwise to force its citizens to adopt one’s religious belief or have a set of laws based on one’s religious belief and force it onto others,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said yesterday.

Dr Haron had reportedly said there would not be much problem with DAP accepting the Hudud law, judging from their willingness to contest under PAS symbol.

Karim, however, believed otherwise, given the differences in their ideologies.

“How DAP is willing to put aside their principle and embrace PAS and likewise, how PAS is willing to embrace DAP when their ideology and belief are wide apart is beyond my imagination,” he said.

GE13: Shame on EC official for making BN candidate change shirt -Karim

Monday April 22, 2013

KUCHING: A lawyer assemblyman is angered and puzzled by the actions of an Election Commission (EC) official in Hulu Rajang which he claims has “humiliated” Barisan Nasional candidate Wilson Ugak Kumbong during nomination day.

Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Hamzah said Ugak and his nominating team were asked by returning officer Joseph Indi to change their Barisan shirts into something without any logo, whereas other nomination centres across the state had no problem with candidates wearing their party’s emblems on theirs.

“I am very puzzled as to why the EC officials in Hulu Rajang had asked of this from Ugak as well as his proposer, Belaga assemblyman Liwan Lagang, and seconder, PRS Youth chief Baleh Bakat Gira. What made it more humiliating was that the same wasn’t required of another party candidate who submitted his nomination paper at the same centre while wearing a shirt that bore the party’s symbol,” Karim lamented.

He said he was unsure whether the EC official was deliberately doing what he did due to personal reasons but stressed that such action was definitely wrong.

“The EC should ensure that their returning officers know the do’s and don’ts first. From my understanding of the Election Laws, party insignias or symbols are not allowed to be worn by supporters during polling. The EC officers must know the simple definition and difference between polling and nomination day,” he said, adding that if Joseph and others did not even distinguish the definition, they should relinquish their posts from the commission.

“He (Joseph) must have been too lazy to read up the Election Laws and Procedures. It is an embarrassment to Barisan and also to the EC, as it may hint that some EC officials are not impartial in their course of duty,” he said.

In the said incident on Saturday, Ugak, who arrived at 8.30am had to wait 20 minutes for his shirt replacement to arrive, and in the end Liwan just borrowed one belonging to one of their supporters.

Galeri: GE 13 Nomination Day - Kota Samarahan

April 21, 2013

DATO Sri Mohd Ali Mahmud (centre), Haji Karim Hamzah (second left)
and other PBB members giving Rubiah Wang (third right) the moral support
during nomination yesterday. PHOTO: RAMIDI SUBARI

A big garbage truck awaits Pakatan on May 5 -Karim

April 16, 2013, Tuesday

‘Pakatan’, as a loose pact, each component party (PKR, DAP and PAS) having its own agenda despite their leaders claiming otherwise. -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi described the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact as a marriage of convenience.

“Their alliance is ‘tidur sebantal mimpi lain-lain’ (sharing the same bed but having different dreams).

“I am sure the people reading this will swing their support to BN this 13th General Election,” the public utilities (electricity and telecommunications) assistant minister told The Borneo Post.

The PBB secretary-general was asked if PAS’ pre-emptive move in naming their candidates in seven parliamentary constituencies on Sunday showed all was not well with PR.

State PKR chairman Baru Bian was reported to be shocked by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s unexpected move as three seats named had yet to be discussed and agreed with PKR and DAP.

State BN youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof believed the latest incident was a sign the parties could not work together.

“They are not able to ‘pakat’ with each other as they have different ideologies.

206,000 pengundi baru dari golongan belia di Sarawak akan mengundi dalam PRU13 ini -Karim

April 15, 2013, Monday

KUCHING: Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12 (PRU12) telah sedikit sebanyak membawa perubahan senario mengundi di Malaysia dengan PRU13 ini dijangka melibatkan paling ramai pengundi baharu daripada golongan belia.

Menurut Menteri Muda Belia (Bandar) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, di Sarawak sahaja bilangannya adalah seramai 206,000 orang.

Jelasnya, 53,000 orang daripadanya merupakan pengundi muda yang berumur 25 tahun ke bawah dan selebihnya adalah yang berusia 25 tahun ke atas.

“Kehangatan PRU13 ini telah menarik minat begitu ramai masyarakat termasuk anak-anak muda untuk mengundi,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Karim berkata daripada keseluruhan 1,063,740 pengundi Sarawak, 510,860 orang merupakan pengundi belia.

“Seramai 258,334 orang merupakan pengundi belia lelaki dan 252,526 orang adalah pengundi belia wanita,” katanya.

Terdahulu, Karim berkata PRU kali ini akan menyaksikan pengundian melibatkan begitu ramai golongan belia dengan 2.3 juta daripada 13 juta orang yang layak mengundi adalah pengundi muda.

‘Nothing wrong to hold polling on a Sunday’ -Karim

April 14, 2013, Sunday

SIBU: Politicising the polling date for the 13th general election represents another clear proof that the opposition is bent on opposing anything that the government or Election Commission (EC) does.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he felt “very much amused” how PKR and DAP had equated polling on a Sunday (May 5) to being disrespectful and an inconvenience to Christians.

“It reflects the negative mentality of opposition leaders, who will oppose anything that the government or EC does.”

Pakatan Rakyat had blamed the EC for being insensitive to the needs of the rural folk in Sarawak and Sabah by setting polling to be on a Sunday. State DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen complained that most rural natives are Christians with church service in the morning, and many had to travel long distances to vote.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said: “I mean no disrespect to Christianity and their followers in Malaysia. I fully believe that Christian Sunday Mass and prayer services must be given due respect as much as other religious services too.

“Prayer services don’t take a whole day. One can go for Sunday Mass or religious service and after that, fulfil one’s duty as a citizen by going to vote.

“No big deal about it. If Baru (Bian), Chong or See (Chee How) thinks that it is disrespectful or inconvenient to Christians, they should remember that Muslims have to pray five times a day and they should also complain as to why we allow voting to be done during Muslim prayer hours.”

Terus berdiri teguh bersama parti

April 14, 2013

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Calon berpotensi Barisan Nasional (BN) dari Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) yang tidak dipilih untuk bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-13 (PRU13) nanti diharap terus berdiri teguh di belakang parti.

Perkara itu ditegaskan Ahli Majlis Tertinggi PBB Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yang memberi contoh di kerusi Parlimen Kota Samarahan, parti menerima lebih daripada enam nama calon berpotensi.

Namun, jelasnya, selepas penapisan dan penilaian yang teliti dari pelbagai aspek, hanya satu calon dipilih untuk mewakili BN pada PRU13.

“Tiap-tiap pilihan raya hanya seorang sahaja yang dapat mewakili satu parti dan apabila keadaan tersebut berlaku, mesti ada yang kecewa seperti di Samarahan ini terdapat tujuh orang yang berminat.

“Oleh itu, saya berharap calon yang tidak dipilih untuk bertanding pada pilihan raya ini tidak berkecil hati, sebaliknya diharap terus berdiri teguh dan memberi sokongan kepada calon yang telah ditentukan parti,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui selepas merasmikan program khidmat masyarakat Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) di Kampung Niup dekat sini, semalam.

Menyentuh mengenai tempoh berkempen yang dipanjangkan kepada 15 hari berbanding 11 hari sebelum ini, Karim menyambut baik perkara itu.

GE13: Don’t arouse religious sentiments by questioning Sunday polls, people told

Friday April 12, 2013

KUCHING: Criticising the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to set polling day on a Sunday is baiting racial and religious hatred, said former Sarawak Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club chairman Abdul Karim Hamzah.

“I’m very amused by how the Opposition has politicised the polling date as being disrespectful to Christians. It reflects their negative mentality,” said Karim, who after the 2011 Sarawak Election was made assistant minister.

“They just want to oppose (for the sake of opposing). I mean no disrespect to Christianity and Christians. I fully believe the Christian Sunday mass and prayer services must be given due respect.

“Prayer services don’t take a whole day. One can go for Sunday mass and after that fulfil one’s duty as a citizen by going to vote,” Karim told The Star yesterday.

The EC on Wednesday announced April 20 as nomination day and May 5 as polling day. The announcement has largely attracted comments on the longer-than-expected 15-day campaign period. However, others have criticised polling day being on a Sunday.

Members of the Opposition and also a university lecturer whom The Star spoke to on Wednesday said Sunday was a poor choice, which could be misinterpreted as being insensitive to Christians.

Karim said polling day had fallen on Sunday before in Malaysia, “in the general election of 1986 (August 3), 1990 (Oct 21) and 2004 (March 21)”.