Proposed White Paper not meant to curtail media freedom

November 07, 2010

The proposed White Paper should not be seen as a regulation or guideline that was confined only to opposition parties but applied to all, irrespective of their political beliefs. -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

MIRI, (Nov 6, 2010) : Media organisations should not worry about the White Paper proposed by the Sarawak Government to curb unhealthy political practices that could disrupt racial harmony or cause religious tension, said Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan today.

He said the proposed White Paper was not intended to curtail the freedom of the media in carrying out their duties.

Speaking to reporters after a presentation ceremony of education bursaries by the Miri Chinese Charitable Trust Board here today, he said the paper aimed to curb actions by any parties that could be detrimental to the state.

"It is okay for you (the media) to say this is not right or that is not right but you don't have to have a campaign to make somebody to hate some others so much," he added.

The Sarawak state assembly passed a motion on Tuesday for the state government to prepare and publish the white paper which covered individuals organisations and media to prevent the escalation of dangerous politics employed by outsiders, especially politicians.

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya) when tabling the motion said the proposed White Paper should not be seen as a regulation or guideline that was confined only to opposition parties but applied to all, irrespective of their political beliefs.

White paper to keep unhealthy peninsula-style politics at bay

November 3, 2010

KUCHING: A white paper detailing the activities and actions undertaken by various people, organisa-tions and media from outside Sarawak as well as the appropriate actions to be taken against them should they endanger the racial stability and security of the state will be prepared and published by the state government.

This followed the passing of a motion moved by Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya) at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday.

Pantai Damai assembly-man Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, who is among those in favour of the motion, said this white paper was very necessary as a warning to those from outside the state who have perverse ambition or ill intention to cause havoc here.

He was specifically referring to the actions of the opposition parties in their political approach.

“The most obvious example is their campaign tactics during the Sibu by-election last May. Their debates were aimed at arousing the people’s dissatisfaction with the government.

“The DAP, PKR and PAS leaders from Peninsular Malaysia came with words that belittled the development in the state.

“DAP’s approach is very much focused on straining the ties of our multiracial society by trying to differentiate this race and that race and saying that certain races get more assistance from the government while some are forgotten.

Sarawak wants "White Paper" for healthy politics

November 02, 2010

KUCHING, Nov 2 (Bernama) — Sarawak is expected to become the first state in the country to come up with its own set of regulations or guidelines to curb unhealthy political practices that may disrupt racial harmony or cause religious tension.

The Sarawak state assembly today passed a motion for the state government to prepare and publish a “White Paper”. 

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya) during his winding-up speech after tabling the motion said the proposed “White Paper” should be formulated by the state government as unhealthy trends in politics that was confined to Peninsula Malaysia has crept into the local political scene, based on experience in Batang Ai and Sibu by-elections. 

“What we are debating today is not creating new laws but proposing to come up with the “White Paper”, he said.

Quoting a definition from online encyclopedia Wikipedia, Abdul Karim said “White Paper” is an authoritative report or guide often oriented towards a particular issue or problem and used to educate readers and help the people make decisions, and often requested and used in politics, policy, business and technical fields.

Abdul Karim said the proposed “White Paper” should not be seen as a regulation or guideline that confined only to opposition party but applied to all, irrespective of their political belief.

When replying to a question from Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Bukit Assek), he said it was a normal phenomena for the federal or state government to announce new or ongoing projects that were requested by the people, during election campaigns.