Rural folk want devt — Abdul Karim

June 22, 2015

SIBU: Rural folk want development, stability, prosperity and a government that cares for their well-being, says Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“It’s all there in BN party…unlike PKR which was set up purely to release Datuk Seri Annuar Ibrahim from prison.

“We have many elections held since Independence and we can see that the rural folk have made their decision which party they want to form the government. The reason is that they want development, stability, prosperity and a government that can look after them,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

PKR Kanowit secretary George Chen claimed at a press conference on Thursday that rural folk often received warnings from BN representatives that projects would be cancelled, services of tuai rumah (headmen) terminated, scholarships withdrawn and so on if they did not support the government of the day.

Chen further claimed that such tactic did not work these days as the rural folk were more politically mature and knew how to judge for themselves.

Abdul Karim, who is PBB Supreme Council member, said: “PKR and the opposition must be thinking that rural folk are so stupid…that they would easily be cowed to threat and intimidation…and would vote for BN blindly just because they fear development projects would be withheld, tuai rumah services terminated or scholarship withdrawn if they refused to support the government of the day.

“This only exists in the mind of PKR and opposition leaders who feel that the non support of the people for them is because the BN government is playing dirty and using threats to hold on to power.”

It is just a matter of time PR will collapse

 June 5, 2015

SIBU: Only BN can ensure stability, continuity and harmony of the nation as the opposition pact is constantly at loggerheads, said Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

It would just be a matter of time before Pakatan Rakyat collapsed, he said when asked to comment on the move by PAS Dewan Ulama on Wednesday to unanimously pass an emergency motion to annul political cooperation (tahaluf siyasi) and to cut ties with the DAP.

Pahang PAS Dewan Ulama chief Mokhtar Senik, who tabled the motion, reportedly said the move was necessary as PAS’s political ally, the DAP, had officially cut ties with the PAS president.

Mokhtar also reportedly said Pakatan Rakyat was dissolved in Sarawak and Sabah due to pressure from the DAP, who not only disagreed and opposed, but lobbied PAS members to reject efforts to enhance the Kelantan Syriah Criminal Code enacted in 1993.

To this, Abdul Karim, who is also PBB Supreme Council member, said: “I see this moment coming from the day Pakatan Rakyat or PR was formed.

“PR was just a ‘marriage of convenience’ to appease the leaders of the three parties, which differ totally in their political struggles.

“It is just a matter of time this union collapses, and we can see it coming now.

Pakatan in disarray – Abd Karim

May 21, 2015

SIBU: Pakatan Rakyat is now in shambles as DAP has come up with its own shadow cabinet, says Asajaya assemblyman and Assistant Youth Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“DAP has ‘rejected’ Azizah’s ‘shadow cabinet’ and come up with their own yesterday (Tuesday).

“A big slap to Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PKR. The Pakatan Rakyat union is now down the drain,” Abdul Karim who is PBB Supreme Council member said yesterday.

He added that DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng when announcing their own DAP shadow was practically telling Azizah that she was just a ‘puppet’ opposition parliamentary head.

“This is exactly what we had anticipated all these years that the PR is just a ‘marriage’ of convenience.

“DAP doesn’t trust PKR and PAS and so do PKR and PAS towards DAP.

“DAP has all along been racist in outlook and could only place Zairil (Khir Johari) to represent the Bumiputera component in its ‘shadow cabinet’,” Abdul Karim pointed out.

PR’s shadow cabinet revival a political gimmick, says Dr Stephen Rundi

May 20, 2015

SIBU: The opposition pact or Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) move to revive its shadow cabinet is nothing more than a gimmick to mislead people into believing that they are united, suggested State BN Secretary-General Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi.

He suggested this yesterday in response to opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s statement on their intended revival of the shadow cabinet to strengthen its check and balance system.

Bernama quoted Wan Azizah as stating that the shadow cabinet would be implemented after having discussions and obtaining the joint agreement of the three political parties in the Pakatan Rakyat namely the PKR, PAS and DAP.

PRK ROMPIN- Tahniah Barisan Nasional

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State DAP doesn’t need PKR or PAS to help them

April 4, 2015

SIBU: State DAP is running dry on issues and their latest move to go against hudud law proved it – knowing that PAS is not strong in Sarawak.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi was reacting to state DAP organising secretary Violet Yong’s statement, echoing party chief Chong Chieng Jen’s call to state PKR to quit Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Sarawak and work with them to form a new coalition.

“Hudud will not be implemented in Sarawak, therefore there is no issue here as clearly clarified by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

PBB leaders pour cold water on united government with Pakatan Rakyat

March 17, 2015

SIBU: Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip said all comments by state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, especially on BN, must be taken with a pinch of salt.

Talib said to be fair, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had started on the right footing, and his emphasis on integrity should be lauded and supported.

“Hopefully the opposition, Chong included, should recognise this and support it.

“We have not heard much about opposition support for an integrity based government. But if DAP is seriously sincere, they should give Adenan a chance with their genuine and full support.

“Unity government is good in concept if everyone is sincere. Is DAP sincere? The statements and actions by DAP indicate desire for domination rather than power sharing, a basis for a genuine united government.

“In DAP controlled Penang, PAS and PKR are sidelined. In Selangor the PR is having a lot of problems. So talk by DAP about unity government is just talk,” he said.

Talib was reacting to Chong’s statement on Sunday that Sarawakians could give Adenan a chance, but as Malaysians, they could not afford to give BN another five years to ruin the country as BN had been given 51 years already.

PBB leaders unfazed by the number of seats DAP wants to contest in the coming election

February 23, 2015

SIBU: Democratic Action Party (DAP) can go for any number of seats to contest this coming state election but voters will have the final say on which party to vote, said state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi.

Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), was asked for his view on the announcement by DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen that DAP would contest in at least 30 seats in the coming state polls.

Chong had said the move was to reduce the burden of its Pakatan Rakyat ally, PKR, in contesting in some rural and semi-urban areas. He also said the 30 seats did not include the proposed new seats.

DAP no-show indicates breakup within PR

November 8, 2014

KUCHING: The scrambling for seats even before the state election has put a strain on Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this following a no-show by DAP during the third round of state PR’s negotiation on state seats on Thursday.

“I need not say more – even before facing the state election, they (PR) are already showing the strained relationship among the members. As such, we just wait,” said Abdul Karim, who is also PBB supreme council member.

The Asajaya assemblyman believed that said the absence of DAP during the meeting was a clear indication that PR members would be heading separate ways.

Chong is making joke of the week - Karim

October 28, 2014

SIBU: PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah laughed off DAP’s claim of being able to deliver minor rural projects (MRP) like what BN does.

Calling it the biggest joke of the week, he said the opposition just wanted to get some publicity and hoodwink the people with the state polls nearing.

“When they (DAP) say they can do a road in Sri Aman for RM7,000 instead of RM70,000 if the BN government was to do it, I can’t help laughing.

“Well, DAP can make their claim sky high or try to match BN in every aspect, the rakyat and public are our judge and jury,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He was reacting to state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s statement that the party’s Impian Sarawak had proven it could deliver minor rural projects like BN did.

Chong, also Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, claimed that their Impian Sarawak Ubah brand had struck fear in BN, that on several occasions projects requested by some villages and longhouses neglected by the government for years were immediately carried out after the Impian Sarawak team visited them.

Chong also mentioned that the Impian Sarawak team had helped uplift the earning capacity of the rural community.

‘PR parties set to fight over seats’

October 8, 2014

SIBU: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will have its hands full come the next state election, with so many parties in the pact scrambling for the same seats.

With Sarawak Workers’ Party (SWP) now knocking on its door and eyeing Pelagus, Engkilili, Tamin, Kakus, Katibas and Padungan seats, it is inevitable that component parties of PR will cross swords with each other.

PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah observed: “With the many parties scrambling for the same seats, it’s going to be interesting watching them (DAP, PKR, PAS and now SWP) fighting it out on who to represent PR.”

Chong pre-empting EC’s move, BN leaders charge

September 9, 2014

“YB Chong must have a short memory. After the last delineation, the seat of Kota Sentosa was created. Who is the winner in Kota Sentosa?" Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Two BN leaders yesterday blasted State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen for ‘pre-empting’ the Election Commission (EC) plan to create about nine new state seats during its delineation exercise this December.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said Chong’s statement insinuated that the new seats were meant for the nine assemblymen who left SUPP and SPDP recently to form new parties.

Chong, also Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, was also quoted as saying there was no chance for the state to increase its constituencies without the consent of MPs from Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

Karim: Is DAP trying to hoodwink the Dayaks again?

June 12, 2014

“It’s better for DAP to name their proposed CM candidate for us to evaluate his or her capability.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi says what the DAP have promised to offer the Dayaks can be described as political gimmick.

“It is an open knowledge that they are trying to get the Dayaks’ support to be in power through their ‘Impian Sarawak’, and their so-called go-rural drive and so on.

“Based on past and current practices, there is no hint at all about ‘Dayaks at heart’ in DAP but merely politicking…don’t forget that majority rules.

DAP wants to be the lead party in PR Sarawak - Karim

May 13, 2014

SIBU: The pinching of members among Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties does not surprise Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development, noted that DAP had always looked down on its PR partners.

“It is for this reason that DAP is intensively recruiting Malays, Dayaks and other native races into their fold and organising programmes like ‘Impian Sarawak’ in Bumi areas, where their PR partners have been contesting all these years,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He was asked if the alleged member-pinching among Pakatan parties was an indication that the opposition could not work together.

According to news report, cracks were appearing in the state PR after one of two elected representatives of Sarawak Workers Party (SWP), and a senior supreme council member of the party were allegedly approached by another PR component party to jump ship.

SWP president Larry Sng reportedly said the members had declined the offer.

Sng was further quoted as saying that this would damage to their working relationship and derail their road map to join the opposition coalition.

   

Karim: DAP still pushing ‘Go Rural’ campaign as it does not see its Pakatan partners are relevant

April 28, 2014

“It came up with its recent rhetoric that in the event DAP gets into power in Sarawak, they will put a Dayak as CM… I thought DAP has always advocated good government, based on merits and justice. Has that been compromised just to please the Dayaks in their quest to win the hinterland?” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Rural folk are very comfortable and happy with the BN government which is doing its level best to fulfill the people’s needs.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi was reacting to state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s statement that they would continue pushing their ‘Impian Sarawak’ campaign to further penetrate the rural areas, even if the fledgling effort might not turn out to be fruitful in the coming election.

“I am sure by now they (DAP) are smart enough to know what kind of response they receive from rural people and we, rural people have learnt enough from their struggle since the early formation of Malaysia and would not want to undergo the same experience again as we are very comfortable with the present situation though we need to improve on some areas as we all aware of.

“And the BN government is trying its very best to fulfil the people’s needs, and changing the government is not the answer.

“We need a stable government to bring in more development and prosperity to the country,” said Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).

PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said despite knowing that the fledgling effort of its ‘Impian Sarawak’ campaign was not gaining support, DAP was still pushing for its ‘Go Rural’ campaign as it did not see its Pakatan partners as relevant.

DAP had a big agenda in wanting to split the Bumiputera along racial and religious lines, noted Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

Karim told See to tell DAP not to be racialist and chauvinist

April 13, 2014

KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Barisan Nasional (BN) has never practised racial profiling as alleged by the opposition.

“BN has never practised racial profiling and has never neglected its responsibility towards any race although it is seen that a certain race has not supported BN, as seen in the last general election and state election,” he told thesundaypost.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing and PBB supreme council member, was commenting on Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How’s call for Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem to guard against racial profiling as practised by BN in Peninsular Malaysia.

“YB See need not have to tell or advise our chief minister on this but instead should tell its partner in Pakatan Rakyat (PR), the DAP, not to be racialist and chauvinist.

“Our new chief minister has declared that he is the chief minister for all Sarawakians and not just the Malays or Dayaks only,” Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, said.

He said it is unfair for See, who is PKR Sarawak vice chairman, to insinuate that Adenan is practising racial profiling when he has just held the post as chief minister for a couple of months.

“If YB See cares to study past and present statements of BN leaders, all are narrowed to preserving unity and harmony of the multi ethnic races in Sarawak irrespective of religion and race.”

Karim - Victory indicates people accept leadership of Adenan as the CM of Sarawak

March 31, 2014

“The voters of Balingian have made a good choice and I am sure the BN state government and the new YB will not forget them.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Voters in Balingian rejected PKR as they want development, stability and harmony that only Barisan Nasional (BN) can deliver several state BN leaders concluded yesterday.

They said the people realised that the opposition were all about politicking rather than rendering sincere service to people.

To state BN youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof, the big win was a reflection of many factors.

“The trust of the people in Balingian not only on the policies of BN but the hope and belief that BN can bring benefits to the people in Balingian in all aspects of development from physical to human development and welfare of the people.

“More importantly, unity, stability and harmony was what the people voted for,” Fadillah, who is also Works Minister and Petra Jaya MP, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said the landslide victory showed that the people rejected the opposition.

“Yes, indeed that was exactly what we told our people in Balingian and they proved and showed that the ‘Pakatan Pembankang’ has no place in their hearts…better forget about “impian Sarawak”…it is not mere politicking but sincere service to the rakyat that is important,” added Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).

Karim: What 'Justice for Balingian' you are talking about?

March 21, 2014

“If they expect an overnight metropolitan Balingian like KL or Kuching, then maybe PKR needs to have an ‘Alladdin Lamp’ as even BN won’t be able to do that. -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Barisan Nasional (BN) translates people’s support into physical development for their betterment, state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said yesterday.

“The opposition, on the other hand, only makes empty promises,” he said, adding that people in constituencies represented by PKR/Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had become increasingly frustrated.

“PKR’s slogan of ‘Justice for Balingian’ was merely to attract people’s attention,” he said.

“It’s an attempt by the opposition to manipulate the issues at hand.

“But they never reveal what they can afford to do that is better than what BN has delivered thus far,” he said.

Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), was asked on PKR’s slogan of fighting for the long-term needs of Balingian folk.

State PKR vice-chairman See Chee How claimed that people of Balingian would not be swayed by the goodies dished out by BN during the by-election because what the people wanted were long-term facilities.

Opposition will be rejected in Balingian — Abdul Karim

 March 3, 2014

SIBU: Voters in Balingian state constituency will reject the opposition’s brand of politics founded on malicious campaigning and lies.

This is because voters there are mature and know which party has been helping them, said PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

He was reacting to state PKR chairman Baru Bian’s statement that PKR would field a local candidate and use the price hike as their weapon against BN.

Tagging themselves as ‘underdog’, Baru claimed they were capable of winning the hearts of the people there despite it being a BN stronghold.

To this, Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said: “What else is new to PR or PKR?

“I thought they have been using price hike as one of their main campaigning issues in the past election and this one is nothing new.”

He reckoned that PKR must have been looking for issues as propaganda the last few days and could only come up with the “price hike” again to hoodwink the people.

Karim: Balingian is as good as ours already

March 2, 2014

KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) which indicated that it will contest in the Balingian by-election, will hardly be a match for juggernaut BarisanNasional (BN).

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the seat “is already as good as ours (BN)”.

“Whoever is going to contest against BN is the least of our concerns.

“We are not being arrogant, but the seat is as good as ours already,” the Assistant Minister of Youth Development pointed out in his text message.

The Balingian seat fell vacant after Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud relinquished the chief minister’s post on Feb 28 and was appointed the seventh Head of State.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing, said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) of PKR was just “wasting their time” contesting as the constituency is a stronghold of PBB and BN.

State BN secretary-general DatukDr Stephen Rundi Utom has also said BN was ready for the opposition and stands united against its fledgling foe.