Sarawak leaders slam Tasek Gelugor MP

April 6, 2017

KUCHING: Leaders from both sides of the political divide in the state have slammed Tasek Gelugor member of Parliament Datuk Shahbudin Yahaya for his outrageous statements on rape victims and child marriage.

When debating the Sexual Offences Against Children Bill 2017, Shahbudin, a former Syariah Court judge, claimed as some girls reached puberty as young as the age of nine, it is not impossible for them to get married as they were ‘physically and spiritually’ ready, adding there was ‘nothing wrong’ with a rape victim marrying the rapist, as it could serve as a ‘remedy’ to the increasing number of social problems.

Assistant Minister for Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he was left totally aghast by Shahbudin’s statement.

“If this is how he looks at things, such as allowing a nine-year-old kid, who has probably just reached puberty, to be married, then this MP needs to be given counselling,” he said as reported by The Borneo Post today.

However, the Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports said there is a need for a review on the age considered statutory rape, as children today mature earlier and many engage in consensual sex with their partners even before reaching the age of 16.

Reduction of electricity tariffs receives positive response

November 21, 2014

KUCHING: The state government’s decision to reduce electricity tariffs for all domestic customers in the state effective January next year has been met with positive response from elected representatives especially those who represent the rural constituencies.

Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that the move would no doubt benefit the people especially those in the low income group.

“This is very good news for the people of Sarawak particularly those who do not consume a lot of electricity such as people in the villages who may now be exempted from paying the electricity bill.

“This will benefit around 130,000 households. It is also a timely and appropriate move because we have been informed that the profits of Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and Sesco are channeled back to the people,” he said when met at the BN Backbenchers Club Nite at Sarawak Club on Wednesday.

The Asajaya assemblyman also expressed his optimism that the people under his constituency would no doubt be very happy with the decision, which was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem during the final day of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Wednesday.

Engkilili assemblyman Johnical Rayong Nyipa, meanwhile said the state government’s decision proved that the chief minister was serious in helping and solving problems faced by ordinary Sarawakians.

“This is a very good and timely decision and we are all for it,” he added.

Karim: Review needed to lessen load of guarantors

November 6, 2013

KUCHING: Greater efforts must be made to lessen the load of guarantors including changing and review existing laws.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this is because guarantors made up a large number of those declared bankrupt.

He said being bankrupt at an early age could be a traumatic experience, especially if it is due to being a guarantor.

“It’s just like a ‘death penalty’ imposed on an innocent party. The public, whether they are young or old, should be made aware of the implications and dangers of being a guarantor to any facility given by a financial institution be it a personal loan or a loan for a car or a house.

“In the event of the principal borrower defaulting, the guarantors are jointly and severally liable in law to pay,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.

He was commenting on a recent revelation by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri that 13,540 people were declared bankrupt due to their failure to repay hire purchase and business loans from January to September this year in Sarawak.

She said as a whole, many youths in the state aged between 35 and 44 were declared bankrupt due to credit card debts, vehicle hire purchase and housing loans.

 

Only 500 at Bersih 3.0 in Kuching

April 29, 2012

"In the state elections last year, they won more seats and they said it is because the people in the state wanted change. But in seats they lost, they accused EC of not being transparent, BN buying votes, phantom voters and so on." Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Only about 500 people showed up for the Bersih 3.0 rally at the Old Courthouse here yesterday, despite the organisers claiming they could attract supporters numbering thousands.

The two-hour sit-in protest started with a one-kilometre walk from Hilton Hotel and concluded peacefully at 4pm in front of the Old Courthouse facing the Kuching Waterfront.

Bersih 3.0 is calling for electoral reforms ahead of the upcoming 13th general election.

Some of the civil movement’s demands include cleaning up of electoral roll, reforming postal votes, use of indelible ink, free and fair access to mainstream media, and stopping corruption.

Among those present were state DAP secretary and Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen, state PKR chairman Baru Bian, state PKR vice chief See Chee How, state DAP vice chairman Chiew Chin Sing, state DAP treasurer Violet Yong and national PKR women vice chief Voon Shiak Ni.

Assistant Youth Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, when asked for his comments on the Bersih 3.0 rally in Kuching, said it showed there was lukewarm response to the rally masterminded by the opposition.

He compared the rally to the programmes officiated at by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Kuching which attracted crowds of more than 10,000 though it was held on the same day as the Bersih 3.0 rally.

Perhimpunan Ungu dipercayai didalangi pihak bermotif politik

March 16, 2012

Semua perhimpunan selama ini yang kononnya bebas unsur politik didalangi pembangkang untuk mengaburi mata rakyat: Abdul Karim

KUCHING: Perhimpunan Ungu yang dijadual diada-kan di Taman Sahabat dekat sini Ahad ini dipercayai didalangi pihak bermotifkan politik.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, semua perhimpunan selama ini yang kononnya bebas unsur politik adalah didalangi pembangkang untuk mengaburi mata rakyat.

“Apa lagi ini? Kuning…Bersih…sekarang Ungu pula? NGO (pertubuhan bukan kerajaan) mana lagi yang menganjurkan perhimpunan ini…berapa orangkah sahaja dalam NGO itu yang hendak mengajar orang Sarawak bagaimana hendak mentadbir kerajaan bersih?

“Mereka yang dua tiga orang ini yang baru pandai mengurus persatuan, ada hati hendak ajar kita bagaimana hendak mentadbir negeri… pada pandangan saya semua perhimpunan ini adalah didalangi pembangkang,” katanya kepada Utusan Borneo semalam.

Menurutnya, pembangkang ibarat musang berbulu ayam yang sudah pun tahu tidak akan mendapat sambutan sekiranya perhimpunan atas anjuran pembangkang.

Bagaimanapun katanya, rakyat Sarawak tidaklah sebodoh disangka dan rakyat Sarawak tidak akan termakan penipuan pembangkang.

“Kita tunggu sahaja nanti… yang hadir (pada perhimpu-nan itu) pastinya muka yang sama… muka-muka pembangkang!” ujarnya.