Pokemon Go a temporary fad that will fizzle out — Abdul Karim

August 16, 2016

SIBU: Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah finds the latest craze – the location-based reality game ‘Pokemon Go’ as a fad that will fizzle out over time.

“I find this latest craze as just temporary. It is just a fad. It is like fashion or any other interest.

“After a while, the interest will fizzle out and other new interest will crop in.

“We are dealing with youths’ interest here…and basically, youths’ interest on anything (that) comes and go,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman said yesterday.

He was asked on his view on the latest craze in town, where public especially the youths are playing the digital game – Pokemon Go and whether the disadvantages outweighed the benefits of playing the game.

Abdul Karim opined that the government, schools, religious authority and parents need not worry too much.

“Just be observant so that children playing Pokemon Go are doing their homework and having their meals,” he advised.

Abd Karim chides critics of Ustaz’s appointment

November 12, 2015 

SIBU: The teaching fraternity should be allowed to decide on what is best for the children, says Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“Politicians from both the government and opposition including ministers who portray extreme and racist views should stay out of the fray. How could we condemn and pre-judge someone just because he is an Uztaz, a Malay or a West Malaysian as being incompetent to teach our children?

“Let this extreme, racist and unbecoming outlook be erased from all Sarawakians and we give respect to the teaching profession for their untireless effort to teach our children. Look at the case in depth.

“This principal is not someone who is thrown into the wilderness of Sarawak from nowhere. He has served in Sarawak for umpteen years and not just brought in yesterday. He knows the Sarawak diverse culture and multi-religious tolerance and it’s wrong to crucify him just for our political gain. Give him a chance to prove himself,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Adding on, the assistant minister said just because the person is a west Malaysian, does not mean he is less sensitive or lacks knowledge of local culture.

Condemning him as not being able to assimilate himself in community events is prejudging him even before he even commences his work, he opined.

“It is just unfortunate that after so many years of being Malaysian, we still have this mentality around and unfortunately even among those who sit in the chair of power.

Abdul Karim: Setting up district-level MCPF the right move

March 31, 2015

SIBU: Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah praised the effort to set up the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) in all districts nationwide yesterday.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, was commenting on Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that MCPF would set up branches in districts nationwide to curb crimes involving juveniles aged between seven and 14 years old.

“I do agree that crimes are being committed by those in the younger age group, and though it has not reached a critical stage, this is something for us to ponder and address because these young offenders will be getting older and we do not want them to continue their bad habits,” he added.

He pointed out that schools, NGOs (non-governmental bodies), and especially parents, had a big role to play in moulding youths so that they would not end up a menace to society.

“They must be guided to be responsible citizens even when they are still young,” he stressed.

“Hopefully all members of society could play their part as this cannot be addressed by the police or schools,” added Abdul Karim.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reportedly said crimes involving juveniles rose despite a drop in the 2014 crime index to 12.6 per cent since the Prevention of Crime Act 2013 was introduced.

House prices expected to stabilise with govt building more affordable ones

September 3, 2013

BOOMING INDUSTRY: Strong demand for houses evidenced by spiralling prices.

SIBU: House prices are rising, particularly in Bintulu which housing developers are focusing on, noted Housing Assistant Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah whose ministry was concerned about the rising cost of houses.

He said the situation could be mitigated with the government building more affordable houses.

“It is a matter of time before house prices there stabilise,” he said, pointing out that currently demand exceeded supply.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said the vibrant housing industry, especially in Bintulu, reflected government success in developing the fishing village into an industrial town.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) urged the state government to provide affordable housing to its members in Bintulu.