Galeri: Official launching of Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA)

December 14, 2017

(From right) State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip and Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Assistant Minister Datu Len Talif Salleh give their thumbs-up to the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy Book 2018-2022 during a tour of the exhibition area. -TheBorneoPost

Karim sworn in as minister

May 8, 2017

Taib (third right) together with Abang Johari (third left) and four new members of Sarawak cabinet posing for photo after the swearing-in ceremony.— Bernama photo

KUCHING: Two ministers and two assistant ministers who were appointed in the Sarawak cabinet on Saturday were sworn in before Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at a swearing in ceremony held at the Astana Negeri here.

Abdul Karim recieves his letter of appointment from Taib. — Bernama photo

Galeri: STEM Education Lab at SK Rakyat Haji Bolhassan

April 07, 2017

Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg listening as pupils explain how a windmill created with Lego works. Also seen are (standing from second right) Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Dato Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy State Secretary (PSDT) Datu Dr Sabariah Putit and Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development Datuk Talib Zulpili. 

Rumour about local PKR leaders is no surprise to state BN

October 15, 2016

SIBU: The ‘hot rumour’ about three local PKR leaders leaving the peninsular-based party to join a local party – Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) presents no surprise to the state Barisan Nasional (BN).

It is said that these PKR leaders want a stronger voice, seeing that they could not do so if they stick to the same platform.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah wasn't surprised with the rumours stressing that ‘anything is possible in politics’.

“Who would imagine an ex-Umno and BN chairman Tun (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) is now ‘hugging’ his nemesis (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim), (Lim) Kit Siang and (Lim) Guan Eng?

“It is the same with Sarawak PKR leaders. We could see them out of PKR – who knows one day, they might be sitting with us in BN,” said Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman and also a supreme council of PBB – the state BN backbone party.

Adding on, he reckoned that state PKR leaders would need to relook their struggle.

Abdul Karim also pointed out that what Sarawak and Sarawakians needed and hoped for now would be for political parties and leaders to fight for the return of state rights, which appeared to be diminishing over the years.

Abdul Karim plans for more affordable homes

May 21, 2016

SIBU: Assistant Housing Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah wants to continue with the government’s scheme to enable more people to own a home.

“My immediate focus is on continuing with the Housing Ministry’s plan in providing affordable homes for those in need,” he said.

The Asajaya assemblyman, who is also Assistant Youth and Sports Minister, said there were several projects in the pipeline which needed to be implemented on time.

Meanwhile, Jepak assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who was appointed Assistant Minister for Urbanisation and Infrastructure Development, pointed out that urbanisation was a fact of life in Sarawak.

“We are fortunate that Sarawak grows at a rather fast rate. Urbanisation and growth go hand in hand.

“This must be accepted,” he said.

He said the challenge was to facilitate orderly urbanisation and soften its impact.

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.”

‘Rumoured opposition pact will be disproportionate’

September 5, 2015

SIBU: The rumoured new opposition pact consisting of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) has been called a “disproportionate relationship”.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Talib Zulpilip said the rumoured union would likely see the DAP continuing to dominate.

“Initially, even when the partner parties of DAP, PKR and PAS (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) were equally strong, there were already fundamental differences among them. It was then a marriage of convenience.

“What would emerge immediately is the disproportionate relationship in the new ‘Pakatan’. DAP will dominate. Sarawakians should be wary about this. The new outfit would be controlled by their big brothers in KL. They are not autonomous,” Talib told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He reckoned that if the opposition were to win seats in the election, they would be mainly held by DAP, leaving PKR and Amanah with reduced roles and influence.

“Amanah being new and their representatives rejected by PAS would nevertheless be used by DAP. It would be a tool,” he said.

Galeri: Lawatan Ke Bazar Pesta Gawai Kubah Ria 2015

May 27, 2015

MAKANAN TRADISI: Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg bersama Datin Amar Juma’ani Tun Bujang, Datuk Talib Zulpilip dan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah mengadakan lawatan ke Bazar Pesta Gawai Kubah Ria 2015. -UtusanBorneo

Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg (second right) examines black glutinous rice at a bazaar stall. Accompanying him from left are Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Datin Amar Jumaani Tun Bujang and Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. -TheBorneoPost

State BN leaders welcome PAS support for integrity pledge

April 14, 2015

SIBU: The Integrity pledge is Barisan Nasional (BN)’s commitment towards a more transparent administration, free from corruption and abuse, Assistant Youth Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday.

He was responding to PAS’ declaration of support for state government in leading the way with the pledge.

“We welcome any positive comment, even from members of the opposition, on what we are doing as long as those positive comments are done in good faith,” Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, added.

Last Monday, 26 BN elected representatives and 30 political secretaries signed the integrity pledge, while earlier on Jan 15, Adenan led his ministers and assistant ministers to sign similar pledge.

State cabinet members were also required to submit declarations of assets to Adenan and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

State PAS deputy commissioner III, Jofri Jaraiee had said the elected representatives should also declare their assets to avoid accusations of wealth accumulation after assuming office.

Abdul Karim said: “PAS Sarawak deputy commissioner should ask their counterparts especially in Kelantan, where they are the state government, to emulate what the Sarawak government and BN had done before asking us to do more.”

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.

Sarawak ready to shatter world retro walk record

October 4, 2014

KUCHING: Sarawak is confident of smashing the Guinness World Record for the largest number of retro walk participants, which is currently held by Germany with 1,507 participants.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the response to the retro walk to be held in conjunction with the Youth Carnival 2014 has been overwhelming.

“Thus far, we have over 2,000 on record for the retro walk on Oct 11 and we hope to see the record being broken by Malaysia, particularly by Sarawakians,” he told a news conference yesterday.

The Guinness World Record was previously held by China with 1,039 participants.

On Oct 11, more than 2,000 youths and individuals of all ages are expected to gather at Grand Margherita Hotel at 7.30am for the 1km retro walk.

Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip is scheduled to launch the event.

Karim said the retro walk would be one of the major events for the week-long carnival themed ‘You Are The 1’ to take place at Padang Merdeka from Monday to the following Sunday (Oct 6-12).

S

Karim dismisses news portal’s ‘independence survey’

August 3, 2014





Abdul Karim (left) and wife with Fatimah (fifth right), Adi (third right) and family and Talip and Zaliha at his Hari Raya Open House at Jalan Astana.

KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah lashes out at a news portal for claiming that 97 per cent of people of Sarawak want their state to cede from Malaysia based on its survey.

He said statistical findings based on improper surveys could not be used as reflection of the people’s feeling.

“I was made to understand that this portal merely asked 100 people- 50 from Sarawak and 50 from Sabah and who are those 50 from Sarawak? If they were ask people from Asajaya,I think all of them will say ‘no’ to getting out of Malaysia,” he said when met at his Hari Raya Open House in Jalan Astana here yesterday.

Galeri: Sidang Media Persidangan DUN

May 15, 2014

Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg (second right) showing a photograph of the Sungai Midin People-Friendly Home Project while (from left) Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Talib Zulpilip look on.

Former deputy minister Bujang Ulis dies

 February 4, 2014

He will be remembered as a friendly and approachable minister for Sarawakian students who studied in Kuala Lumpur during his days as deputy education minister - Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

Maimunah (centre) flanked by her daughters at Bujang’s grave during the burial ceremony at the Samariang Muslim cemetery yesterday.

KUCHING: Datuk Bujang Ulis the former Deputy Education Minister and three-term Member of Parliament of Simunjan, died in his house at Kpg Semariang Jaya, Petra Jaya early yesterday morning at the age of 66.

Bujang had also served as Deputy Primary Industries Minister from 1980 to 1983 before becoming Deputy Education Minister from 1984 to 1986. He was a former vice-president of PBB and MP for Simunjan from 1978 to 1990.

Simunjan parliamentary constituency has been re-delineated into a state seat.

He quit PBB in 1987 with several other leaders to form Persatuan Rakyat Malaysia Sarawak (Permas).

Prior to his political career, Bujang was a teacher. He taught at SMK Simunjan, SMK Tun Openg and was the principal of SMK Three Rivers school in Mukah.

Among those who paid their last respects to the former MP was one of his former students Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais who ironically is the state assemblyman of Simunjan.

Naroden remembered his former teacher as a down to earth and jovial man.

1BFF Imagine Retrowalk 2014 bakal diiktiraf dalam rekod dunia

Januari 17, 2014

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menunjukkan isyarat bagus selepas perasmian program 1BFF Imagine Retrowalk 2014 di Kuching, semalam. Turut hadir, Talip Zulpilip (dua dari kiri), Abang Abdul Wahab Abang Julai (kiri) serta Athanasius Audie Chua (kanan).

KUCHING 16 Jan. - Acara berjalan kaki mengundur, 1BFF Imagine Retrowalk 2014 di bandar raya ini pada 16 Oktober depan bakal diiktiraf dalam rekod dunia.

Acara berjalan kaki mengundur sejauh 1 kilometer itu akan bermula di pusat membeli-belah Plaza Merdeka di sini.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) negeri, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, Guinness World Record bersetuju untuk mengiktiraf program itu sekiranya penganjur berjaya memecahkan rekod terdahulu dengan mengumpul lebih 1,000 peserta.

Katanya, rekod berjalan kaki mengundur kini dipegang oleh China yang dicatat beberapa tahun lalu.

"Meskipun program ini hanya acara berjalan beramai-ramai namun bukanlah mudah kerana peserta perlu berjalan dalam keadaan mengundur sejauh 1 kilometer.

"Saya juga memuji inisiatif IBFF ImagineRetrowalk kerana berani tampil dengan acara yang berpotensi memecah rekod dunia dan saya yakin rakyat Sarawak akan turun beramai-ramai menyertai program ini," katanya sewaktu majlis Pelancaran Program 1BFF Imagine Retrowalk 2014 di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir Menteri Muda Pelancongan negeri, Datuk Talip Zulpilip; Datuk Bandar Kuching Utara, Datuk Abang Abdul Wahab Abang Julai dan wakil Guinness World Record, Athanasius Audie Chua.

Galeri: Govt all for initiatives that benefit people

January 17, 2014

Social Development (Urban Youth) Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (third left) signing the event form in a symbolic ceremony as (from left) Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Julai, Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip and others look on.

Bike week to promote integration, tourism

December 10, 2013

ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Members of Persatuan Motosikal Darussalam (Pemoda) from Brunei with president of Razz Chopper Motor Club, Abdul Razak Abdul Salam (back row, twelfth right).

SIBU: Sibu Bike Week should be organised on a bigger scale to promote tourism, regional relationship and racial integration, said Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip.

“Sibu Bike Week is a good way to promote an active and healthy lifestyle. I am all for it,” he said.

“We can invite people from all over Sarawak, Malaysia, Kalimantan and Brunei. This is good for regional relationship,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

2014 Budget provides new economic platform

October 26, 2013

“Overall, the Budget is to intensify development without increasing the burden of the people in nation-building." -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Malaysia is on a new economy platform with the tabling of the RM264.2 billion 2014 Budget, themed “Strengthening Economic Resilience, Transformation and Implement Empowering Promise”, by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the Parliament, yesterday.

To face global political and economic uncertainties, Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said the 2014 Budget highlighted five thrusts, namely, invigorating economic activity, strengthening fiscal management, inculcating excellence in human capital, intensifying urban and rural development, and ensuring the well-being of the people.

New Sarawak Tribune yesterday contacted several federal and state ministers and State Assemblymen for their comments on the 2014 Budget, and all of them gave the thumbs up to the budget.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said that in the last lapse of Vision 2020 by which time the country would achieve a developed nation status. 

“The eight thrusts to achieve this through development and enhancement of the development of all the Development corridors throughout the country through infrastructure development.”

“Every aspect of service sector is given emphasis in the infrastructure development and this will enhance the tourism and shipping industries,” he said.

Junaidi said the focus on the development of the agriculture industry from all aspects, from the ground to the table, would ensure food security and non-reliance on import. 

Boycott threat shows PKR’s true colours

June 14, 2013

SIBU: The indecisiveness of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) over the boycott of the first seating of the new parliament on June 24 shows the party is more concerned about politicking than serving the people.

Saying this yesterday, state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi commented, ‘The needs and aspirations of the people had become secondary to them,’

He added that PKR could not even decide on the most basic obligation of a MP which was to take their oath of office so that they could address people’s needs and aspirations. “

“They are only concerned about power and politicking, especially Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and people become secondary.

“Do they deserve to be given the mandate? The people will tell sooner or later,” Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) told The Borneo Post.

He was asked to comment on the different stands between DAP and PKR on whether to boycott the first parliamentary sitting.

Miri MP Dr Michael Teo Yu Kheng was reported to have said he was still waiting for instructions from their top leadership on whether it is go or no go.

  

Galeri: Majlis Penyerahan Kunci Rumah Bintulu

June 13, 2013

Datuk Amar Abang Johari (third right) handing over a mock house key to one of the tenants of PPR Bandaria

Park Flats, as (from left) Abdul Karim, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Datuk Francis Harden and Datuk Naroden Majais

look on.