Galeri: Media Appreciation Dinner for the 11th state election

May 18, 2016

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, accompanied by Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, is greeted by the media practitioners upon arrival.

‘Stop the name calling, have respect for democracy’

May 12, 2016

KUCHING: Two BN leaders yesterday blasted ill-mannered netizens for insulting Sarawakians for making the ‘wrong’ choice in the May 7 polls.

Asajaya assembyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah described them as ‘stupid and moronic’ while state BN Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairman Abdullah Saidol called them ‘sore losers’.

In the election, BN won 72 of the 82 seats, while the DAP won seven and PKR three.

Re-elected Asajaya assembyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the people of Sarawak had made their choice, and their choice should be respected.

“No calling of names or using of derogatory terms to refer to Sarawakian voters should be done if this so-called netizens respect democracy. It is sad that there are uncultured netizens who think that only voting the opposition is the right move while voting for BN is wrong,” he said when contacted yesterday.

“How stupid and moronic can some netizens be. The recent Sarawak State Election is one of the cleanest and fairest elections ever.”

Abdul Karim pointed out that the dates of the dissolution, nomination and polling were all known beforehand and the opposition had ample time to prepare.

State BN leaders attribute landslide win to ‘Adenan’ factor

May 9, 2016

SIBU: State BN leaders have attributed the landslide victory to the Adenan factor, winning 72 out of 82 seats in the just concluded 11th Sarawak Election.

They said the Chief Minister had created a ‘feel good’ factor.

PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said: “He (Adenan) has created an ‘aura’ of confidence towards BN with his many good decisions since taking the helm of the state in the last two years.

“Sarawakian voters feel that he is a good leader and should be given the chance to lead.”

He said BN was also better prepared for the election this time around.

The avalanche of projects through ‘Rural Transformation Projects’ or RTP the last two years had created a ‘good feeling’ everywhere, which had now transformed into votes, noted Abdul Karim.

“The ‘good explanation’ of Adenan’s policy and decision through his criss-crossing the state and through programmes like ‘Sejiwa Senada’ has created a feeling of ‘real confidence’ in Adenan from all levels of society,” he said.

"BE STRONG, IMAN. I WILL BE BACK."

As a veteran politician, he has seen a lot things.

So, when he was told about a young mother and her sick baby boy, he never thought that it would be something that would catch him off guard.

He entered his car and went to the young mother's house.

She was staying with her parents in Kampung Rebak.

When he stepped into the house, he could see a young lady was sitting on the floor in the living room.

Infront of her was a thin mattress - and there was a baby lying on it. 

The baby wasn't moving. Seemed to b sleeping.

He walked towards the young lady confidently.

Upon seeing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the young lady rose and greeted him.

"BE STRONG, IMAN. I WILL BE BACK."

After having a short conversation, Abdul Karim tried to have a closer look at the baby, Mohd Iman Qayyim Mohd Nazri.

Tackling the ‘direct candidate’ issue

April 05, 2016

KUCHING: Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem will hold a press conference tomorrow on the issue of “Barisan Nasional direct candidates”, according to media invitations sent out yesterday.

The media invitations did not elaborate on the matter, except to say a “direct candidates” announcement would be made at the CM’s Wisma Bapa office at 2pm.

Leaders of Barisan component parties, SUPP and SPDP, declined to comment when contacted yesterday.

Similarly, members of their breakaway parties, UPP and Teras, would not reveal much.

In the past, Barisan direct candidates referred to those contesting under the Barisan ticket without a component party.

Previous examples include Datuk James Dawos and Billy Abit Joo, who later joined Barisan’s PBB and PRS.

But for the coming polls, Adenan has not made clear the mechanisms of direct candidacies.

PBB Asajaya election machinery ‘well-oiled’ for polls — Abdul Karim

February 24, 2016

Abdul Karim being surrounded by reporters after the handover at SMK Hajah Laila Taib. On his right is Rubiah.

ASAJAYA: The Barisan Nasional (BN) election machinery in Asajaya will not be sitting on their laurels, despite not knowing who the party will face in the upcoming state election.

According to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, those involved in the election machinery have been attending various courses and briefings to prepare them for the polls.

“All those from Asajaya PBB branch, including members from the Women and Youth wings, are now already on the ground,” he said after witnessing the handover of the 1Azam Niaga assistance programme at SMK Hajah Laila Taib yesterday.

On the event, Abdul Karim — who is Asajaya assemblyman — the aid programme for entrepreneurs in Asajaya was spearheaded by Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), which he also commended for its strict vetting procedures.

“This is vital to ensure that each of the recipients, who are also enrolled under the e-Kasih system, are genuine entrepreneurs who have a true vision of expanding and improving their business,” he pointed out.

On another note, Karim who is also Assistant Minister of Housing, said the request for Asajaya to have its own Fire and Rescue Department station was still awaiting approval from the top authorities. He cited lack of financial resources and the location of the existing station in Muara Tuang as among the reasons for the delay of the project’s nod.

“For the department to build a new station, they (authorities) must consider the distance and the area’s population away from the current station in Muara Tuang.”

‘Give Adenan a strong mandate to fight for state’

February 11, 2016

SIBU: Sarawakians have been urged to unite and stand solidly behind Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem in his quest to develop the state and protect the rights of Sarawakians.

Making the call Assistant Youth Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the impending state election was very important to Sarawak.

“In the last two years, we were able to see various changes brought about by our chief minister.

“Even YB Chong (Chieng Jen) from DAP and PKR leaders acknowledge that but they stopped short of giving their support even though they knew that many positive (initiatives) were being introduced … because they are bound by directives and instructions from their KL Command Centre to fight Adenan and state BN at all cost,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman said yesterday.

The PBB Supreme Council member was reacting to Chong’s statement that the opposition hoped to win 28 seats in the coming state polls.

In the last state election, DAP contested in 15 seats and won 12, PKR contested in 49 seats and won three, while one out of 41 Independent candidates won a seat.

Abdul Karim alleged that Chong and state DAP were all out to please their big bosses in KL and deny Adenan a smooth administration in his next five years.

Chong is playing dumb on date issue, says Karim

January 30, 2016

KUCHING: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Ching Chieng Jen has irked a PBB supreme council member for playing dumb on the Election Commission’s freedom to decide nomination and polling dates.

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also the Asajaya assemblyman, said Chong was trying to conjure up a negative perception that the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem was trying to dictate the dates.

"How petty and ridiculous YB Chong can be. 

"The Chief Minister is just making a proposal on the dates of Nomination and Polling for the State Election to be on the 18th and 30th April," he said in his Whatsapp message, adding: "Surely YB Chong knows" what is a "proposal".

Adenan had made known the proposed dates – April 18 for nomination and April 30 as polling day – when launching an election seminar for Satok constituency at the Damai Beach Resort on Friday night.

Karim said even if the commission decided to agree with the proposal, "it does not mean that the Chief Minister controls the Election Commission" as alleged by Chong, who is also the State DAP Chairman.

Chong was reported as saying the chief minister had chosen April as the date for the polls in order to coincide with his Bersih 4 trial.

BN diyakini terus tadbir Sarawak

January 28, 2016

Malah dapat meningkatkan undi popular cecah 60 peratus

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (dua dari kiri), Dr. Jeneri Amir (tiga dari kiri), Dr. Shamrahayu Ab. Aziz (dua dari kanan), Dr. Neilson Ilan Mersat (kanan) dan Zaini Hassan ketika menjayakan Program Advokasi Ilmuwan Majlis Profesor Negara bersama Utusan Malaysia dan Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) di Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kuching, semalam. utusan/MOHAMAD GUSTIE NOORAMBIA

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
dan Dr. Jeniri Amir mendengar soalan
yang diajukan oleh Datuk Zaini
Hassan. -@ybkarimsays

KOTA SAMARAHAN 27 Jan. - Barisan Nasional (BN) diyakini dapat mengekalkan kemenangan pada Pilihan Raya Negeri Ke-11 (PRN-11) berdasarkan populariti Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Penganalisis politik, Prof. Madya Dr. Jeniri Amir berkata, parti itu juga dipercayai dapat meningkatkan undi popular mencecah 60 peratus berbanding 55 peratus pada pilihan raya negeri sebelum ini.

Beliau yang juga Pensyarah Kanan Fakulti Sains Sosial Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) berkata, dalam tempoh lima tahun selepas memenangi pilihan raya kali ini, Adenan bagaimanapun perlu pantas dan bersuara lebih nyaring untuk menterjemahkan idea serta melaksanakan mandat yang diberikan.

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman
Hamzah mendengar soalan
dengan sepenuh perhatian.
-@ybkarimsays

“Rakyat Sarawak mengidamkan pembangunan luar bandar sama maju dengan bandar, semua etnik menikmati kemajuan, negeri ini dapat berdiri sama tinggi dengan Semenanjung.

“Hanya melalui pembangunan rancak dan peluang ekonomi yang luas dapat terus mengekalkan BN di Sarawak,” ujarnya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika menjadi salah seorang ahli panel dalam Program Advokasi Ilmuwan Majlis Profesor Negara (MPN) Bersama Utusan Malaysia dan Radio Te­levisyen Malaysia (RTM) yang membincangkan forum bertajuk Sudah Sejahterakah Rakyat Sarawak? di Panggung Eksperimen, Fakulti Sains Gunaan dan Kreatif, Unimas di sini hari ini.

Selain Jeniri, program itu turut menampilkan ahli panel terdiri daripada Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Sarawak, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Dekan Fakulti Sains Sosial Unimas, Prof. Madya Dr. Neilson Illan Mersat dan pakar perlembagaan dari Universiti Islam Malaysia (UIA) mewakili MPN, Prof. Madya Dr. Shamrahayu Ab. Aziz, manakala Penolong Ketua Pengarang 1 Kumpulan Utusan, Datuk Zaini Hassan bertindak sebagai moderator.

Stick to CM’s decision on seats — Abd Karim

December 18, 2015

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties must agree with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s decision that only one BN candidate will be put up in each constituency in the coming state election.

Concurring with Adenan, Abdul Karim said the candidate would be the one endorsed by BN.

“BN component parties must agree to that and the final decision on who the candidates are rests on the chairman of state BN,” Abdul Karim wrote in his WhatsApp yesterday.

Finally 82 seats up for grabs

December 04, 2015

KUCHING: Finally, the path is now all cleared for Sarawak to have 82 seats for contest in the forthcoming state election with the endorsement of 11 new seats by parliament, Asajaya Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.

Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban) and Assistant Minister of Housing criticised the opposition parties for alleging in their debates on the motion in parliament that the redelineation was to help BN's hold on to power.

"Little do they know that this delineation will give the small minority races in Sarawak a voice in the DUN. The Orang Ulu, Bidayuh will have more voices as some of the new seats are in areas where this minority are sited.

"Opposition being opposition will only run down whatever good things that the Government will try to do," Karim explained in a text message received yesterday when asked for his comment on the latest endorsement and approval of the eleven new seats by parliament on Tuesday.

The motion on the redelineation of parliamentary and state constituencies in Sarawak was carried on Tuesday through block voting, with 130 MPs supporting and 72 opposing.

The newly approved state seats are N13 Batu Kitang, N17 Stakan, N18 Serembu, N23 Bukit Semuja, N26 Gedong, N40 Kabong, N57 Tellian, N63 Bukit Goram, N66 Murum, N70 Samalaju and N78 Mulu.

The Sarawak Legislative Assembly approved the relevant legislation on the increase in the number of state constituencies from 71 to 82 effective 5 Dec last year.

CIA candidates will be treated as independents — Abd Karim

August 27, 2015

SIBU: Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) supporters and sympathisers will have to contest as independent candidates unless they register their movement – CIA (Calon Independent Alliance) – as a political party before the coming election, Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.

He also said they would have to use symbols provided by Election Commission (EC) and probably could opt to use a common symbol.

He was reacting to the formation of Calon Independent Alliance (CIA) by S4S.

At a press conference here on Monday, former DAP member and Pujut assemblyman Fong Poh Teck announced the formation of CIA – an unregistered body comprising potential candidates for the election which must be held by June 20 next year.

“Calon Independent Alliance or CIA need not be registered as a political party but candidates that want to be associated with CIA will have to use logos that are provided by EC and probably they can opt for a ‘common’ logo.

“This alliance is not illegal as it is a loose alliance ….just like Pakatan Rakyat which is not a legally registered political party.

“Parties under Pakatan use their own party logos in previous election,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

BN will win Dudong, Meradong, Ba Kelalan, Krian at next polls

July 19, 2015

KUCHING: A PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes the state Barisan Nasional (BN) can wrest Dudong, Meradong, Ba Kelalan and Krian from the opposition in the next state election while maintaining the two-thirds majority track record.

He said some of the presently opposition-held urban seats such as Dudong and Meradong that BN failed to defend in the last election was due to in-fighting in the party.

“Do not be surprised that we may be able to capture all these seats. I think DAP knows about that also,” he said when met at his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Jalan Astana yesterday.

Karim, who is Assistant Minister for Youth Development (Urban Areas) and Assistant Minister of Housing, said the state BN would still win the election with two-thirds majority – with or without the 11 new seats.

“Whether the 11 new seats are going to come into play or not does not really affect us. Personally, I see that the 11 new seats will give more leeway to the chief minister to patch up the component parties and the splinter group.

“If the 11 new seats come into play, of course the chief minister will have more space to arrange. But without those 11 new seats, we will have a landslide win also. With the new seats, we may probably lose one or two of them. It is not going to be 100 per cent ours.”

He said the verdict on the appeal of the 11 new seats could be expected on July 20, adding “if we win the appeal, the 11 new seats will be there. If we lose, we may have to stay put with the 71 seats.”

Karim predicted that the next election would be called either end of this year or early this year.

DAP candidate for Katibas likely to turn heads

June 27, 2015

SIBU: DAP’s likely candidate for Katibas for the coming state election has certainly caught the attention of political observers, if not for his political wits at least his good look.

He is Paren Nyawi, who won the Mr Borneo Hornbill Festival 2011 title.

This native of Rumah Jarop, Song was introduced to the public as a likely candidate for DAP by party state chairman Chong Chieng Jen last Sunday at a function in Rajang Park here.

Putting Paren in the limelight has made him a talking point among political watchers, some of whom believe he could draw big support from the younger group.

The opposition believe he could pose a stiff challenge to Barisan Nasional.

Responding to the development, PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Malaysia was a democratic country and any citizen could contest in the election.

Question of winning or losing is another matter, he added.

DAP nadai netapka berapa sitak deka dipasuk parti nya maya PRN tu

February 25, 2015

SIBU: Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP) nadai netapka berapa sitak DUN ke deka dipasuk dalam pengawa bepilih kunsil nengeri (PRN) ti deka datai tang pengundi ngembuan hak nentuka ni bagi parti ke ulih mai ubah ngagai sida.

Chairman DAP Nengeri Sarawak, Chong Chieng Jen madah, parti nya deka bediri pemadu kurang dalam 30 kerusi DUN dalam PRN ti deka datai tu.

Ku iya, DAP deka nulung ngelempungka tanggungpengawa ke ditapi Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) lebih agi nayup PKR ba sekeda menua pesisir nyengkaum sekeda sitak di kandang mengeri.

Pemujur BN maya PRK Balingian ukai penetap

April 2, 2014

KUCHING: Berindik ari pemujur pengari Barisan Nasional (BN) maya Pengawa Bepilih Mit (PRK) di Balingian kena 29 March tu tadi, mayuh raban politik melabaka Kepala Menteri, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem nyangka deka ngenetapka Pengawa Bepilih Besai nengeri (PRN) diatur tumu.

Mandal Menteri Pemansang Nembiak Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, lebuh dikerandau madah, pemujur BN ba PRK di Balingian nya ukai reti PRN patut diatur tumu ari pematut.

Abdul Karim ke mega Mandal Menteri Pengawa Berumah nadai sekali mikir pengawa bepilih nya patut diatur tumu bepelasarka timpuh Kunsil Nengeri (DUN) deka abis kena 20 Jun 2016.

“Nadai guna masau hari berundingka mayuh kelikuh politik. Enti ditanya raban penyakal, tentu sida dekaka pengawa bepilih diatur tumu laban sida nadai pengawa bukai dikereja. Lain mih BN, pengudah menang sida berundingka peneka rayat. Tembu timpuh DUN baru kitai berundingka pengawa bepilih baru,” ku Kaban Kunsil Nengeri (ADUN) Asajaya nya.

ADUN Balingian ke baru menang maya PRK tu tadi, Yussibnosh Balo nengah pengelui 6,911 undi ngalahka pengari PKR Abdul Jalil Bujang.

ADUN Kota Sentosa Chong Chieng Jen, bela sepenemu madah, PRN enda deka diatur tumu taja pan maya PRK tu tadi, BN menang nengah majoriti undi ti besai, undi ulih PR mega nambah.

Chong ke mega MP Bandar Kuching bela melaba, PRN nyangka deka diatur taun baru tu ila sebedau bejalaika chukai barang enggau servis (GST) ti deka berengkah kena 1 April 2015.

Karim: Chong, how many Dayaks in DAP National CWC?

April 1, 2014

SIBU: DAP nominating a Dayak as chief minister if the opposition front Pakatan Rakyat wins the next state election and form the state government is another rhetoric publicity stunt to PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said yesterday the publicity stunt by DAP and its Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen was aimed at deceiving Sarawak natives and Bumiputras.

He said DAP was hoping the assurance could lead to the Dayak supporting them.

He was reacting to Chong’s statement that the party had reached a unanimous decision on appointing a Dayak as the chief minister if Pakatan were to win the next state election and form the state government.

“I wish to ask Yb Chong…since when has DAP been fighting for the Dayaks? How many Dayak majority seats have they ever contested?

“How many Dayaks do they have in their National and State Central Working Committee or CWC?

“DAP has never been sincere to the Bumis whether they are Dayaks or Malays. How are they going to put a Dayak as a CM when the likelihood of DAP winning a Dayak seat is practically nil?

Karim- Oppositions always want early election coz they don't have anything else to do

April 1, 2014

“Why waste our time with too much politicking? If you ask the opposition, of course they want an early election." -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Politicians from both sides of the political divide have mixed views on whether Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem would call for an early state election following a landslide victory scored by Barisan Nasional (BN) in the recent Balingian by-election.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, when contacted said the good election result scored by BN in Balingian did not necessarily mean that Adenan would call for an early state election.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Housing Minister, doubted there would be any snap polls as the term of the present State Legislative Assembly would expire on June 20, 2016.

“Why waste our time with too much politicking? If you ask the opposition, of course they want an early election.

“It is because they have nothing else better to do. For BN, upon winning, we have to address the Rakyat’s needs. When the term expires, then we call for a fresh election,” said the Asajaya assemblyman.

Yussibnosh Balo from BN won the by-election beating PKR candidate Abdul Jalil Bujang by 6,911 votes.

Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, who shared the view that an early state election was unlikely to happen, said although BN won with a huge majority, the votes for Pakatan Rakyat also increased a lot.

Keputusan masyarakat Cina untuk bersama DAP perlu dihormati

April 19, 2011

Sokongan padu kepada DAP bukti mereka mahu perwakilan dalam DUN bukan dalam kerajaan 

KUCHING: Keputusan masyarakat Cina untuk tidak mempunyai perwakilan dalam kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) perlu dihormati. 

Ketua Setiausaha Politik Ketua Menteri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menjelaskan bahawa masyarakat tersebut sudah menjelaskan suara mereka dengan lantang dan jelas menerusi sokongan padu yang diberikan kepada Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP) ketika pilihan raya negeri yang baru selesai. 

"Tidak perlu ada kemasukan ‘pintu belakang’ bagi masyarakat Cina dalam kabinet. 

“Masyarakat Cina sudah lantang dan jelas bersuara bahawa mereka tidak mahu perwakilan dalam kerajaan, dan kita mesti menghormati keputusan mereka,” katanya. 

Beliau berkata demikian ketika dihubungi semalam bagi mengulas cadangan untuk menggubal undang-undang bagi membolehkan kerajaan negeri melantik wakil tidak terpilih daripada masyarakat Cina di Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN). 

Cadangan itu dikemukakan oleh Senator Datuk Idris Buang yang juga merupakan ahli Majlis Tertinggi Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). 

Karim berkata, dengan mempunyai wakil rakyat daripada Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP), ia juga mencerminkan kaum Cina diwakili.

Sarawak Election: All leaders of BN component parties to defend seats

April 3, 2011

KUCHING: All the four leaders of the component parties of Sarawak Barisan Nasional will be defending their respective seats in the upcoming April 16 state election.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is Sarawak Barisan chairman and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, will be defending his Balingian seat in Mukah.

Taib, 74, won uncontested his first state seat in the Sebandi (now known as Asajaya) by-election in March, 1981 before moving to the Balingian state constituency in the 2001 state election.

Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president Tan Sri Dr George Chan, 74, who is also Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister, will be defending his Piasau state seat for his sixth term.

Chan first won the seat in 1983 (then known as Miri) uncontested.

Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Seri Dr James Masing will be defending his Baleh seat in Hulu Rajang, also for his sixth term since first winning it in 1983.

As for Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president Datuk Seri William Mawan, he will be defending his Pakan constituency in Julau, which he has won six times consecutively since 1983.