Abdul Karim hopes SPDP-PRS merger for unity of Dayaks

August 20, 2015

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hopes the merger between Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) will be for the good of the rural Bumiputera community.

He said it would be good if both parties decided to merge as their leaders had always advocated unity of the Dayaks.

“I’m glad this idea (merger) has cropped up again, but hopefully it’s for real, that is, for the unity of the rural Bumiputera and not any other agenda,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Youth Development Minister, said in his WhatsApp message yesterday.

He was asked on a report yesterday that SPDP had resolved to work towards merger with PRS by enhancing cooperation and understanding with its fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) component party.

The resolution was made at SPDP supreme council meeting held at a leading hotel in Miri on Sunday and a statement issued by its supreme council member, among others, stated that the party would seriously reach out to PRS to realise the joint proposal made by the two parties some years ago.

According to Abdul Karim, the idea of merger between the two parties had been “on and off” many times, like the Malay saying ‘tengelam timbul’.

“If we look back at history, SPDP and PRS are like two children of the same parents that have parted ways,” he said, explaining that they were off-shoots of BN.

Inclusion of UPP, Teras in BN fold justified — Karim

June 6, 2015

KUCHING: Leaders of United People’s Party (UPP) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) are subscribing to Barisan Nasional (BN)’s principles both at federal and state levels and as such, making it right for both parties to be part of the ruling coalition.

Making such remarks, Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, added that the leaders of both parties were also elected under BN banner.

“I believe that Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) wishes and hopes are for the people to be united under any BN (component) party or vehicle that subscribes to its principles.

“I guess that they are also the principles adopted by the state BN,” he told The Borneo Post via WhatsApp yesterday.

Abdul Karim was asked on a statement by SPDP rejecting the BN-Plus concept endorsed by Najib during the ‘Leader-Meets-People’ session at Stadium Perpaduan here on Thursday.

The statement by senior SPDP members rejected such concept, saying that it – among other things – would destroy the cooperation between existing BN component parties that had served as the bedrock of unity and strength of the coalition.

On this, Abdul Karim – who is also Asajaya assemblyman – stressed that the BN-friendly approach by leaders of Teras and UPP had seen them being retained in the state cabinet and attending numerous state functions.

PBB is always ready for election - Karim

October 9, 2014

"For PBB, state election can be held anytime.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: There are no lazy elected representatives in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) as those who do not perform know they will be replaced.

PBB Youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof, who made this affirmation recently, said the party was always ready for any election, including the next state election, because the elected representatives were always on the ground serving the people.

“There is no such thing as election time or no election time. We are always working hard on the ground, and so we are always prepared.

“It has been the expectation of the people as well as BN top leaders that PBB’s representatives must serve the people all year round. Because we serve the people all year round, we are ready for election anytime.

“PBB has no place for lazy representatives. Those who are lazy can stay only for one term. It has been the culture of PBB to work hard to serve the people so that our chief minister can call for election anytime and PBB representatives will win all the seats for him,” the Petra Jaya MP told The Borneo Post recently.

On the recent speculation that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem might be calling for state election second half of next year, Fadillah said calling for state election was Adenan’s prerogative.

He affirmed that when Adenan finally decided to call for state election, PBB would back him up just as it had been doing since Adenan took over from former Chief Minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud early this year.

Raban DAP enggau PKR berami ngabang Hari Raya ngagai Karim

August 4, 2014

KUCHING: Menteri Muda Pengawa Berumah ke mega Kaban Kaunsil Besai Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah kemari, nerima penatai raban pengabang Hari Raya ari Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) enggau Democratic Action Party (DAP) di rumah iya di Jalai Astana ditu.

Raban DAP diuluka Chairman DAP Sarawak ke mega MP Bandar Kuching sereta ADUN Kota Sentosa Chong Chieng Jen lalu PKR diuluka Chairman ke mega ADUN Ba’kelalan Baru Bian.

Raban ari kededua parti penyakal nya ngungkupka awak enda kurang ari sejam begulai enggau pengabang bukai ngerami Hari Raya di rumah Karim lalu nya mandangka bida runding politik enda nagang sida berami begulai.

“Nadai salah kami raban ketuai ari parti penyakal begusung ngagai ketuai ari perintah Barisan Nasional (BN) rambau pengerami Hari Raya tu.

“Kitai (PKR) bisi nerima surat kangau ari Karim lalu ba pengerami Hari Raya taun ke udah kitai bisi ngabang ngagai rumah Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim sereta ketuai BN ke bukai,”ku Mandal Chairman PKR Sarawak ke mega ADUN Batu Lintang See Chee How ke bisi datai.

Nyaut tanya pemberita senentang penunga ADUN (PKR) Krian Ali Biju ti didinga deka ngalih ngagai parti bukai bedau lama tu tadi, See madahka Ali mengkang dalam PKR lalu iya sigi enda ngalih.

“Ali diatu benung kiruh ngabang, betemu enggau rayat di Saratok enggau Bintulu lalu nya meh kebuah iya enda enggau raban PKR ngabang di Kuching.

Chong, Baru at Karim's open house

KUCHING: State DAP and PKR leaders were among the visitors at the Hari Raya open house hosted by Assistant Minister for Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

They included state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, state PKR chairman Baru Bian and their elected representatives Wong King Wei (DAP-Padungan), Violet Yong (DAP-Pending), Christina Chiew (DAP-Batu Kawa), Julian Tan (DAP-Stampin) and See Chee How (PKR-Batu Lintang).

Both delegations comprising over 20 people extended their festive greetings to Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, at his residence at Jalan Astana in Petra Jaya.

Assistant Minister for Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie was among the other guests.

Abdul Karim: New parties bring new equation to polls

July 19, 2014

SIBU: The coming state election is set to be an interesting affair following the emergence of new political parties but BN will still prevail, PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday.

He believed that an amicable solution could be found to resolve the current political development without exerting a strain on the coalition.

“People can see that only BN has the capability and experience to govern and administer the state. The opposition is merely ‘empty drums’ that make a lot of noise, but doesn’t have the experience to govern a big state like Sarawak.

“But being a democratic country, they do have a role to play as a responsible opposition.

“The presence of new political parties and especially those from SPDP and SUPP that has set up new parties but still declare they are supporting BN and even sitting in the state cabinet, will make the forthcoming election interesting,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman said.

In the latest development, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh would lead the newly registered UPP (United People’s Party) and joining him were Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili) and Ranum Mina (Opar).

Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, meanwhile, will continue to helm Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).

Karim kesal kenyataannya disalah erti Bakat Gira

July 4, 2014

KUCHING: Ada nada kesal diluahkan Ahli Majlis Tertinggi PBB Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah apabila kenyataan beliau sebelum ini disalah erti oleh Ketua Pemuda PRS Baleh Bakat Gira.

Menurut Karim, kenya-taan beliau sebelum ini tidak ada langsung menyebut tentang Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (TERAS) kerana isu itu cuma layak dibincangkan di peringkat BN Negeri dan Pusat.

Beliau juga katanya, tidak ada menyebut tentang penubuhan TERAS dan kesannya boleh memecah-belahkan masyarakat Dayak.

Malah beliau enggan diseret ke dalam isu berkaitan pe-mimpin-pemimpin Dayak.

“Jika ketua Pemuda PRS Baleh ingin mengheret saya ke dalam perbincangan perpecahan di kalangan masya-rakat Dayak susulan penubuhan TERAS, saya ingin memaklumkan ia bukan niat saya ketika memberi kenya-taan sebelum ini,” katanya menerusi satu kenyataan semalam.

Karim yang juga Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia berkata dalam kenyataan sebelum ini beliau cuma mempersoalkan mengapa PBB tidak disertakan dalam istilah ‘gabungan minda’.

Gabungan itu cuma membabitkan PRS, SUPP dan SPDP, sedangkan PBB juga merupakan sebuah parti komponen BN.

Karim amused over comments by aspiring 'young politician' Bakat

July 4, 2014

"Does this young politician know that PBB has the most Dayak YBs and leaders?"

KUCHING: PRS Youth exco member Cr Bakat Gira has been advised to get his facts right rather than jumping into conclusion and veering into unrelated topics when making his statement.

Bakat’s comment that PRS Youth was concerned that the newly formed party Teras would further split the Dayak community and erode their support for BN in the next state election has made PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah rather amused.

“Though I don’t wish to have a debate over a trivial issue, I can’t help but be amused over comments made by some aspiring ‘young politicians’ who don’t seem to understand what I have queried in my earlier statement the past few days,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, pointed out that he had only queried on why PBB was not invited to the ‘merger of minds’.

“Never did I mention about Teras as I feel that the matter is best discussed and resolved within the state BN and federal family, which is totally not within my purview to question.

“I also never mentioned about Teras formation and its after-effect of splitting the Dayak community,” he reiterated.

However, Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing, said he was equally as concerned as Bakat with Dayak unity.

Nama kebuah parti PBB enda disengkaum sida

July 2, 2014

KUCHING: Kaban Kunsil Besai Parti PBB Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah madah, iya alit ati ke penemu PRS, SUPP enggau SPDP ke berebutka kerusi maya diatu.

Pengawa bepilih besai nengeri (PRN) agi jauh ari diatu, iya madahka diri alit ati meda tiga komponen BN nya majak madahka penemu sida ke enda lantang ati nengah media.

“Nama kebuah (PRS, SUPP enggau SPDP) rindu ngaga penyarut pasal kerusi jam diatu? Pengawa Bepilih Besai Nengeri agi jauh endar sereta Kunsil Nengeri (DUN) kitai bedau diketu.

“Nama kebuah bekelikuh pasal kerusi maya diatu, lalu nama kebuah parti PBB enda dibai, lapa enda nanya penemu ari kami dulu nyangka tau bejuraika kerusi nya,” tanya Karim.

Iya nanya munyi nya lebuh nimbal jaku presiden PRS Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing ti madahka ‘merger of minds’ entara SUPP, SPDP enggau PRS agi relevan taja pan Kaban Kunsil Nengeri (ADUN) Pelagus, George Lagong enda disengkaum dalam Teras.

Abdul Karim ti mega Menteri Muda Pengawa Berumah madah: ”Enti gempung runding nya kena negapka BN, nama kebuah PBB nadai disebut? Enda ke tegap agi enti PBB disengkaum sekali (dalam gempung runding tauka ‘merger of minds’)?”

Taja pan udah diterangka sekeda orang ba penemu ‘merger of minds’, Kaban Kunsil Nengrei Asajaya nya tetap enda lantang ati lalu madahka iya semina beratika saut sayap nembiak SPDP enggau PRS ke madahka kebuah PBB enda dikangau ‘ngempung runding’ nya laban ku sida iya kerusi parti (PBB) nya enda dikachau.

Karim tells Tian Chua to settle fist- and chair- fighters issue in PKR before poking his nose into State BN's affairs

June 27, 2014

"Like the Malay saying ‘jaga tepi kain sendiri’ which roughly means look after your own house and problems. That is what I want to say to Tian Chua." Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah 

SIBU: State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi yesterday refuted Batu MP Tian Chua’s claim that the poser over Teras is a sign of BN breaking apart, saying the issue would be resolved amicably.

Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), expressed confidence that Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem would work out the solution, the BN Sarawak’s way.

He was reacting to Tian Chua’s claim that the tussle between the ‘merger of minds’ group comprising BN component parties PRS, SUPP and SPDP and BN-friendly Teras was the first sign that BN was disintegrating and losing its direction.

Karim puzzles why PBB not invited to the PRS-SUPP-SPDP's 'merger of minds'

June 24, 2014

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is puzzled by the omission of PBB in the “merger of the minds” announced by presidents of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

“My only puzzle is why PBB was not invited to be together in this merger (of the mind). Maybe some leaders do not see PBB as relevant anymore and do not fit into their so called merger (of the mind).

“I am unsure of what this ‘merger of minds’ as announced by the three BN component leaders are. They would be in better position to answer what is this merger of mind,” he said in statement to The Borneo Post yesterday.

Karim was referring to the meeting among Tan Sri Peter Chin (SUPP president), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (SPDP interim president) and Masing (PRS president) during a closing of the Gawai Dayak celebration at Masing’s residence, here on Saturday evening.

They announced at a joint press conference that they had teamed up in defending their seats allocation in the BN from being taken over by new party Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) after 10 elected representatives from SUPP, SPDP and Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) quit their parties to join Teras on May 15.

On May 16, the 10 elected representatives met state BN chairman and Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem to pledge their allegiance to the BN despite having left their BN component parties.

Last Saturday Masing said PRS was allocated by the BN nine state seats while SUPP (19) and SPDP (8) which means the three parties would be contesting in 36 seats in the next state election.

Teras led by leaders familiar to the BN task —Abdul Karim

May 19, 2014

SIBU: Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) is technically not led by leaders ‘alien’ to the state BN, said PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman.

He added that Teras leaders are leaders holding position in the state Cabinet and are state assemblyman and MPs who won their seats using the BN symbol, except for George Lagong.

He was commenting on the media report that Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem had all but confirmed that he was willing to accept Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) into the state Barisan Nasional fold.

Teras’ elected representatives led by senior ministers Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom and Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh made a courtesy call to Adenan on Friday.

Adenan was reported to have welcomed Teras, their support and would make the necessary arrangement when the need arose.

“Now, Teras has also given a pledge of loyalty and support for BN, whether its state or federal BN. As far as the state BN is concerned, that is of utmost importance. Where does the loyalty lie? I see if it’s for BN, the status quo (thus) remains…,” said Abdul Karim.

“If they pledge loyalty to CM and BN, they are considered BN-friendly. I see Teras as just splinters of SUPP and SPDP. Many months have passed by for these parties with internal problems to be resolved but probably being unachievable, these leaders decided that enough is enough and sought for a divorce. These actions come from these leaders themselves and not from CM or PBB,” said Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

Dr Rundi scorches opposition’s effort

November 6, 2013

 

"Whether they can make inroad into any seat is yet to be seen." -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi yesterday warned the opposition not to expect the people to fall for its brand of politics.

He was asked if the coming state election would see a different political landscape following the emergence of many new political parties in the scene, and whether the state BN expect a tougher fight than that in the last state polls.

The five new newcomers are Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras), Parti Bumi Kenyalang, Peace Party and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) and Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (Persb).

“We don’t expect much difference and if any, there will be more confusion within the opposition if they think they can instigate/manipulate the Dayaks,” the Kemena assemblyman told The Borneo Post.

Making it a crowded affair, SWP announced that they would contest in seven state constituencies in the next state election though it is at least two years away.

Its president Larry Sng said the seven seats they intended to field candidates in included Pelagus, Meluan, Engkilili and Tamin whose candidates had been identified.

Of the four state constituency seats, two are held by BN with Dr Johnical Rayong (SUPP) as assemblyman for Engkilili and PRS Datuk Joseph Mauh, assemblyman for Tamin.

     

Parti-parti baharu disaran tidak kelirukan rakyat

September 4, 2013

 

“Kalau mereka berminat maka mereka harus memohon untuk menjadi parti komponen BN atau tidak perlu langsung menubuhkan parti baharu semata-mata untuk memberitahu bahawa mereka adalah mesra BN.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Parti-parti politik yang baharu ditubuhkan disaran agar tidak mengelirukan orang ramai mengenai misi dan visi perjuangan politik mereka.

Menurut Setiausaha Agung Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak merangkap ADUN Kemena Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, sama ada misi atau visi perjuangan mereka mesra BN atau tidak, mereka harus menyatakan dengan jelas mengenai hala tuju parti masing-masing.

“Persoalannya bukan sama ada mereka tetap bersama atau telah meninggalkan BN sebelum ini tetapi PBDS Baru merupakan parti politik baharu yang didaftarkan oleh Jabatan Pendaftar Pertubuhan (ROS) baru-baru ini.

“Oleh itu, mereka harus menjelaskan secara terang arah tuju perjuangan mereka sama ada mereka mesra BN atau sebaliknya kerana mereka hanya merupakan parti politik yang baharu didaftarkan,” ujar Rundi ketika dihubungi kelmarin.

Beliau berkata demikian setelah diminta memberi pendapat mengenai kenyataan Pengerusi sementara Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) Louis Jarau, yang memberitahu bahawa PBDS lama serta ahli-ahlinya tidak pernah meninggalkan BN seperti yang dinyatakan sebelum ini.

Sementara itu, Ahli Majlis Tertinggi BN Negeri me-rangkap ADUN Asajaya Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, dari sudut guaman PBDS Baru merupakan sebuah parti baharu walaupun terdapat perkataan PBDS di hadapannya dan bukannya parti yang lama seperti yang disangkakan.

“PBDS yang lama sudah terkubur setelah pendaftarannya dibatalkan oleh ROS sebelum ini. Maka tidak perlulah bagi sesiapa untuk berusaha memutarbelitkan fakta dan keadaan dengan mengatakan bahawa PBDS Baru merupakan parti komponen BN,” ujar Abdul Karim.

Padah enggau terang kuing politik

September 4, 2013

“Enti sida beamat-amat deka begempung enggau BN, sida patut minta nyadi parti komponen BN tauka enda ibuh numbuhka parti baru ketegal ke deka madahka diri bebakih enggau BN.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Parti-parti politik ke baru ditumbuhka dilalau enda nyaru runding mensia mayuh bekaul enggau kuing politik sida.

Ku Sekretari Besai Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak ke mega Kaban Kunsil Nengeri (ADUN) Kemena, Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom madah, enda ngira kuing politik sida bebakih enggau BN tauka enda, sida patut nerangka enggau nyemetak tuju sereta kuing parti diri empu.

“Kitai ukai deka berandauka sida begulai tauka udah ninggalka BN sebedau tu tang PBDS Baru sebengkah parti politik baru ke direjister Opis Pengerejister Gerempung (ROS) bedau lama tu tadi.”

“Berindik ari nya, sida patut nerang enggau terang sereta nyemetak kuing politik sida enda ngira nya sida bebakih enggau BN tauka enda laban sida sebengkah parti politik ke baru direjister,” ku Rundi lebuh ditelefon ensana.

Iya bejaku munyi nya maya dipinta nimbal penerang ke dipansut chairman protem Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru), Louis Jarau, ke madahka parti PBDS lama sereta kaban parti nya enda kala nyeraraka diri ari BN baka ke udah didinga sebedau tu.

Berebak enggau nya mega, Kaban Komiti Besai BN nengeri ke mega ADUN Asajaya, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah madah, ari sukut undang-undang PBDS Baru sebengkah parti baru taja pan bisi leka jaku PBDS ba mua tang nya ukai parti ke lama baka ke udah dikerandau maya diatu.

“Parti PBDS ke lama udah nadai ayan agi pengudah pengerejister parti nya dikinsil ROS sebedau tu.