Fascinating entertainment for New Year countdown

December 21, 2018

Abdul Karim speaks at a press conference. With him is Desmond Douglas Jerukan, Ministry of Tourism principal assistant secretary of planning and development section.

KUCHING: The Sarawak government is organising various interesting activities in conjunction with the New Year Countdown 2019 celebration and the launch of Visit Sarawak Campaign at Kuching Waterfront on Dec 31.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when announcing the event said the entertainment segment will start at 5pm, where members of the public will be entertained throughout the evening until after midnight with captivating activities such as fireworks display, musical water fountain and stage performances by national and local artistes.

He said other fascinating elements like water show, lighting up of the Darul Hana Bridge, 3D imaging and a video show from the Sarawak Tourism Board culminating with the fireworks display at the stroke of midnight are also not to be missed.

Music, fireworks and plenty of entertainment planned for New Year Countdown at Kuching Waterfront

December 20, 2018

Abdul Karim (right) speaking at the press conference, accompanied by Tourism Ministry principal assistant secretary of planning and development Desmond Douglas Jerukan.

KUCHING: The state government is organising various interesting activities in conjunction with the New Year Countdown 2019 celebrations and the launch of Visit Sarawak Campaign Kuching Waterfront on Dec 31.

Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the entertainment segment will start at 5pm, where members of the public will be entertained throughout the evening until after midnight with captivating activities such as a fireworks display, musical water fountain showcase and stage performances by national and local artistes.

He said other fascinating elements like a water show, lighting up of the Darul Hana Bridge, 3D imaging and a video show from the Sarawak Tourism Board culminating with the fireworks display at the stroke of midnight are also not to be missed.

Samarahan Municipal Council by next year?

December 21, 2014

KUCHING: Samarahan District Council (SDC) could be upgraded to Samarahan Municipal Council buy next year in line with its status as the faster growing township in Sarawak.

Assistant Minister of Housing, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah revealed this during the 30th Anniversary Appreciation Dinner of Samarahan District Council at Imperial Hotel here on Friday night.

"The State Government has already approved the upgrading of SDC. SDC is supposed to change to Samarahan Municipal Council this year," he added.

Karim, who is also the Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya State Assemblyman, said the District Council needed to be upgraded as Samarahan developing fast.

However, money was needed from the Federal government for the upgrading./

"I hope and believe that by next year, SDC will be able to change its name to Samarahan Municipal Council."

Karim said that currently, SDC had 60 Councillors.

Give your best shot, says Karim

September 9, 2013

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Although it is only two months before SPM, students still have a fighting chance of securing good grades if they give it their best, said Assistant Minister of Youth Development Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“If we discipline ourselves and use the most effective methods to study, I believe you will do well in all your subjects,” he said at the closing ceremony of the ‘Pecutan Terakhir SPM’ seminar held at Universiti Teknology Mara (UiTM) Kota Samarahan campus here, on Saturday.

Karim expressed his pride on the students who attended the seminar and advised them to perform their best during the SPM in November.

“SPM is a very crucial for you as it will determine your future. Therefore, for the next two months, spend more time studying and doing revisions,” he said.

The one-day seminar was organised by UiTM Sarawak Alumni Association (MITSA) in collaboration with UiTM Sarawak Staff Welfare and Recreational Club (KEKITA) and UiTM Sarawak Women’s Association (PEWANI).

Gov’t focusing on innovation and creativity

June 15, 2013

KUCHING: Innovation and creativity are the main focus of the government’s efforts towards a developed country and a high income nation by the year 2020. 

Therefore, it is important for everyone to cultivate innovation in their daily life.

Assistant Minister of Housing and Youth Development, Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stated this during the closing ceremony of UiTM Innovation and Creativity Week at UiTM, Kota Samarahan here yesterday.

“We need to think outside the box to deliver quality services and produce products that are able to compete internationally and, at the same time, bring up the country’s name,” said Karim.

He pointed out that younger generations were capable of competing and had plenty of ideas to create innovative and creative things. 

According to him, noble efforts like these can continue to provide opportunities for the youths to bring their ideas to a higher level, where they can make significant changes in services and in everyday life. 

“Constructive collaboration between higher education institutions, communities and the government is very important to achieve the vision of producing young generations who are competitive and creative to trigger an innovation that can enhance the dignity and the name of the country in the eyes of the world.”

Pupuk masyarakat berintegriti dan inovasi

Jun 15, 2013

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Pemupukan budaya kreativiti dan inovasi perlu diterap dalam kalangan generasi muda supaya dapat mengoptimakan potensi masing-masing ke arah pembangunan negara. Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Haji Abdul Karim Hamzah berkata ia adalah bertepatan dengan konsep 1Malaysia setiap anak Malaysia adalah modal insan berpotensi yang penting kepada sesebuah negara.

“Ia juga sejajar dengan hasrat yang mahukan perubahan dilakukan melalui inovasi secara menyeluruh bagi memacu ekonomi negara ke satu tahap lebih kukuh dan berdaya saing tinggi,” katanya. Beliau berkata demikian pada Majlis Penutupan Minggu Inovasi dan Kreativiti serta Pelancaran Pertandingan Saintis Muda UiTM Sarawak “Best New Hybrid Orchid” di Dewan Jubli Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Sarawak (UiTM) di sini petang tadi.

Menurut beliau inovasi dan kreativiti merupakan fokus utama kerajaan dalam usaha menuju ke arah negara maju dan rakyat berpendapatan tinggi menjelang tahun 2020. Beliau berkata bagi memastikan pembangunan yang inklusif kerajaan akan terus merancang dan melaksanakan program serta aktiviti berintensifkan pengetahuan, kreativiti dan inovasi.

Beliau juga menegaskan inovasi akan terus diperkukuh dan diarusperdanakan dalam semua sektor dan lapisan masyarakat di negara ini. “Kita perlu berfikir secara luar biasa untuk menyampaikan perkhidmatan lebih berkualiti dan menghasilkan produk yang dapat memberi persaingan sihat di peringkat antarabangsa sekaligus membawa nama negara di persada global,” katanya.

Karim juga berkata remaja sekarang ini lebih dilihat mampu untuk bersaing secara sihat dalam menghasilkan idea-idea yang kreatif dan berfikiran inovatif dalam mencetuskan hasil produk yang berkualiti. Beliau menambah kerajsama yang jitu dari semua pihak dapat merealisasikan penghasilan idea-idea dan produk kreatif dan inovatif di kalangan pelajar ataupun remaja.

Justeru katanya sumbangan yang diberikan dapat menjadi pemangkin kepada generasi akan datang dalam menghasilkan produk serta perkhidmatan lebih kreatif. Beliau berharap usaha murni seperti itu dapat diteruskan bagi memberi peluang kepada para remaja dalam mengetengahkan idea-idea mereka diperingkat lebih tinggi.

Menurut Karim lagi kolaborasi yang konstruktif di antara institusi pengajian tinggi, komuniti, masyarakat awam dan pihak kerajaan amat penting bagi merealisasikan impian generasi baru yang berdaya saing dan kreatif. Di samping itu tambah beliau ia juga dapat melahirkan generasi baru yang berupaya untuk mencetuskan satu inovasi bagi meningkatkan martabat dan nama negara di mata dunia.

More astronomy-related activities needed - Karim

May 26, 2013

KUCHING: Programmes and activities related to astronomy will continue to spark enthusiasm among young people, said Assistant Minister of Youth Development, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He pointed out advanced countries like the United States of America had capitalised on their space exploration and astronomical knowledge to develop many products such as the GPS system, satellite photography, non-stick pan and many other items for the benefit of the people. 

“As such, being advanced in the field is beneficial,” he said at the closing ceremony of the state-level AstroKuiz, a quiz competition on astronomical knowledge at Planetarium Sultan Iskandar here yesterday. 

“Astronomy should be encouraged in Malaysia and more youths in Sarawak should be encouraged to cultivate a strong interest in the subject,” he added.

Karim congratulated the planetarium and the Sarawak Astronomy Association for staging the inaugural quiz competition, saying more such events should be organised from time to time and more schools should conduct similar programmes to enhance interest in the field. 

The quiz competition was held in conjunction with the state’s 50th anniversary celebration of independence within Malaysia.

It was held in two stages in four zones. Zone 1 made up of Kuching and Samarahan for company, Zone 2 Sri Aman, Betong and Sarikei, Zone 3 Sibu, Kapit and Mukah while Zone 4 had Bintulu, Miri and Limbang for company.

It’s Samarahan Municipal Council come July

February 16, 2013

KUCHING: Samarahan District Council will be upgraded to Samarahan Municipal Council in July this year in tandem with its status as the fastest growing township in the state, said Assistant Minister of Housing Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“With the upgrade to a municipal council, the people of Samarahan can expect better services in terms of, say, health and waste management,” he said when presenting Minor Rural Project (MRP) grants to 21 organisations yesterday.

He also told the recipients at Asajaya District Office that the government was now giving priority to improving roads leading to villages and farms in Kota Samarahan this year.

The focus had shifted to small roads because main roads in and around Samarahan had been completed.

Run-down building, especially places of worship, would also be given facelifts.

“Kota Samarahan is experiencing continuous development ever since Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud was its state assemblyman and MP,” said Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

Touching on Muara Tuang as the centre of development and administration, he pointed out that all the residents had access to basic necessities such as electricity and water supplies.

Assistant minister encourages cyclists to improve skills

July 5, 2012

KUCHING: Cycling enthusiasts here must improve their skills in order to be able to compete with other cyclists from the state.

In giving this advice yesterday, Assistant Minister for Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah also called on avid cyclists in the state, especially youths, to continue to develop their interest and train hard so they can represent the state or country.

“I’m very happy the interest in cycling is booming among Sarawakians. What we also want from this is also for cycling enthusiasts to take on competitive cycling in the future.

“Who knows we can have someone who can represent the state in national or international events,” said Karim, who is also Sarawak Cycling Association president.

He said this when launching ‘Jom Kayuh’ programme and the launching of ‘UiTM Staff Health Book’ at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Samarahan campus.

Karim said cycling is one of the most ideal forms of transportation for university students which not only promotes health but is budget-friendly.

“During one of my visits to Europe, cycling seems to be one of the best modes of transportation in campuses. It does not only promote health, but provides ease of movement,” he said.

Kebebasan bersuara secara sederhana

September 15, 2011

ANUGERAH PELAJAR DIPLOMA TERBAIK: Jamil (enam kiri) berdiri bersebelahan Karim (tujuh kiri) sewaktu sesi bergambar berkumpulan di Pusat Konvensyen Borneo Kuching (BCCK) malam kelmarin.

KUCHING: Ketua Setiausaha Politik Ketua Menteri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah mahu kebebasan bersuara, memberi pendapat dan luahan direbut mahasiswa tetapi dilakukan secara berpada-pada.

Karim yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Asajaya berkata mahasiswa perlu ‘keluar dari kepompong lama’ dan bertindak sebagai ejen perubahan tanpa membuta tuli.

“Mahasiswa perlu melengkapkan diri dengan kemahiran insaniah dan pengetahuan agar menjadi bangsa yang lebih bertamadun, kompetitif dan berkualiti demi membantu membangunkan negara,”ujarnya ketika berucap di Majlis Makan Malam Pragraduan Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sesi Mei-Oktober 2011 di sini malam kelmarin.

Beliau turut meluahkan kekesalan terhadap golongan mahasiswa yang kurang peka kepada isu nasional dan antarabangsa dan menggesa mereka berubah.

“Mereka kekok untuk berbicara dalam menyatakan pendirian tentang sesuatu isu dan cetek dalam persoalan disiplin ilmu.

“Jika dilihat pada waktu dulu, mereka merupakan golongan yang sentiasa menjuarai isu-isu besar dalam negara malahan dianggap suara hati rakyat dalam membela nasib dan merungkai keperitan hidup masyarakat,” tambahnya.

Sementara itu beliau memberitahu bahawa kadar pengangguran di kalangan mahasiswa lepasan diploma dan sarjana semakin meningkat.