Karim gembira sekiranya benar Mawan jadi ahli PBB

March 21, 2018

KUCHING: Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah gembira sekiranya benar Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom menjadi ahli Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

Bagaimanapun, Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan yang juga Naib Presiden PBB itu berkata beliau belum lagi pasti mengenai status keahlian Mawan dalam parti itu.

“Saya juga tidak tahu (Mawan ahli PBB), pejabat PBB lebih tahu...saya cuma tahu daripada surat khabar sahaja tapi adalah dengar khabar angin beliau merupakan ahli PBB.

Abdul Karim: Mawan knows ground sentiment in Saratok

January 26, 2018

KUCHING: Tan Sri William Mawan, the incumbent Saratok MP, has never expressed his desire to leave Barisan Nasional, says senior Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leader Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“He knows the ground sentiments in Saratok well and, as rightly said by him, whoever aspires to lobby for that seat must have the ground support.

“It would be pointless to contest the seat just because the seat is given based on the ‘quota’ as agreed under the BN coalition, but only to lose the seat to the opposition,” said Abdul Karim through a press statement yesterday.

Sarawak leaders not happy

June 28, 2016

Sarawak leaders unhappy state loses full minister’s post in new cabinet lineup, accept PM’s prerogative in federal ministerial appointment

KUCHING: The federal cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday is a disappointment for the state, as the minister’s post vacated by Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas was not filled by a Sarawakian.

Uggah, who stepped down as Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister to take up the post as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, said many had expected the replacement for his federal post to come from the state.

“I am very disappointed that no MP from Sarawak was considered to take over my former position. We believe one of our MPs is qualified enough to be appointed. I am speaking on behalf of Pesaka wing in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).”

Uggah, who is PBB senior vice president and still the Betong MP, contested in the last state election in Bukit Saban constituency where he won by 4,599 vote-majority in a straight fight.

He was appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the new state cabinet lineup announced on May 13 and he was also given the portfolio of Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Economy.

Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong who was appointed Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism is the only appointment from Sarawak.

Prior to yesterday’s federal cabinet announcement, speculations were rife that Kapit MP and Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi or Saratok MP Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom would be appointed to take up the post vacated by Uggah.

190 govt booths at Sarikei’s leg of Sejiwa Senada Programme

February 18, 2016

Abdul Karim (seated fourth right) addresses the press conference. Also seen (seated from right) are Betong Resident Romie Daniel Sigan, Anthony, Misnu, Len and others.

SARIKEI: The third series of Sejiwa Senada Programme to be held at the Sports Complex here Feb 19-21 will provide a platform for the people to obtain the various services provided by the state and federal governments.

A total of 170 federal and state government agencies as well as statutory bodies are expected to open up to 190 booths to provide services to the public during the three-day programme, Assistant Minister of Social Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told a press conference at the Resident Office here yesterday.

Likening the services to those provided at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC), Abdul Karim said the Sejiwa Senada was a one-stop centre represented by almost all agencies under the federal and state governments.

1,000 motosikal berkuasa tinggi bingitkan Kuching

September 2, 2015

CUBA TUNGGANG: Karim (duduk atas motosikal) bersama tetamu kehormat lain selepas menyaksikan pertunjukan penunggang aksi profesional, Aaron Twite di City One Megamall, semalam.

‘Kuching International Bike Week 2015’ himpunkan penunggang luar negara dan Borneo pada 3-6 Sept

KUCHING: Lebih 1,000 penunggang motosikal berkuasa tinggi dari luar negara dan Kepulauan Borneo akan berkampung di bandar raya ini sempena ‘Kuching International Bike Week 2015’ yang akan berlangsung pada 3 hingga 6 September ini.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata pelbagai aktiviti akan dijalankan sepanjang acara berkenaan berlangsung.

“Orang ramai dialu-alukan mengunjungi Kuching International Bike Week 2015 yang akan diadakan di pusat beli-belah City One Megamall,” katanya pada sidang media ‘Kuching International Bike Week 2015’ di City One Megamall di sini, semalam.

Abdul Karim hopes SPDP-PRS merger for unity of Dayaks

August 20, 2015

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hopes the merger between Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) will be for the good of the rural Bumiputera community.

He said it would be good if both parties decided to merge as their leaders had always advocated unity of the Dayaks.

“I’m glad this idea (merger) has cropped up again, but hopefully it’s for real, that is, for the unity of the rural Bumiputera and not any other agenda,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Youth Development Minister, said in his WhatsApp message yesterday.

He was asked on a report yesterday that SPDP had resolved to work towards merger with PRS by enhancing cooperation and understanding with its fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) component party.

The resolution was made at SPDP supreme council meeting held at a leading hotel in Miri on Sunday and a statement issued by its supreme council member, among others, stated that the party would seriously reach out to PRS to realise the joint proposal made by the two parties some years ago.

According to Abdul Karim, the idea of merger between the two parties had been “on and off” many times, like the Malay saying ‘tengelam timbul’.

“If we look back at history, SPDP and PRS are like two children of the same parents that have parted ways,” he said, explaining that they were off-shoots of BN.

Pedal power to boost tourism

August 15, 2015

Please join in: The TOS2016 committee welcomes cycling enthusiasts to join the championship in January.

KUCHING: The Tour of Sarawak International Cycling Championship (TOS2016) is expected to propel Sarawak into the world map, especially among world cycling community.

Themed “Sports Tourism is the Next Big Thing”, this five-day championship from Jan 13 to 17, 2016 is organised by Fadz Industries Sdn Bhd with the collaboration of Sarawak Ministry of Social Develop- ment and Ministry of Sports and Youth Malaysia.

The race will start from Miri to major cities in the state, namely Bintulu, Sibu, Sarikei, Betong, Sri Aman, Serian and ending in Kuching.

This 2.2-rating championship is the first large cycling event organised in the state and it will be similar to the idea of Tour de Langkawi or Tour de France.

Around 20 international and national teams will take part in the race. Sub-state teams are subjected to invitations because the race only involves continental teams and semi-professional teams.

Registration will open in September and the teams must comply with the standard rating of 2.2.

Youth Development (Urban) Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah said this championship was given recognition by the International Cycling Union. Therefore winners of the race will be given accreditation.

Aksi lumba basikal berprestij

August 13, 2015

Sarawak bakal jadi tumpuan antarabangsa menerusi penganjuran Tour of Sarawak 2016

BAKAL MENGGEGAR: (Duduk dari kiri) Mawan, Karim dan Fadzli pada sidang media Tour of Sarawak 2016 semalam.

KUCHING: Sarawak bakal menjadi hab perlumbaan berbasikal bertaraf dunia susulan penganjuran Kejohanan Berbasikal Antarabangsa Tour of Sarawak 2016 (ToS2016) yang akan diadakan di sini dari 13 hingga 17 Januari 2016.

Perlumbaan ala Le Tour de Langkawi itu dianjur dengan ker jasama Kementerian Pembangunan Sosial Sarawak, Kementerian Pelancongan Sarawak, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan Malaysia dan Fadz Industries Sdn Bhd.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, perlumbaan bertema ‘Sport Tourism is the Next Big Thing’ itu julung kali diadakan di Sarawak di mana ia meliputi jarak sejauh 765km merentasi beberapa bandar utama negeri ini.

“Perlumbaan ini akan diadakan secara berperingkat selama lima hari bermula di bandar raya Miri dan berakhir di Kuching.

“Ia berkonsepkan Tour de Langkawi atau Tour de France dan menjadi perlumbaan berbasikal terbesar pernah dianjur di Sarawak,” katanya pada sidang media di Bangunan Baitul Makmur semalam.

Hadir sama Menteri Pembangunan Sosial Tan Sri William Mawan dan Pengarah Projek Fadz Industries Mohd Fadzli Mat Yusof.

Menurut Karim, perlumbaan tersebut akan membantu meletakkan Sarawak di peta dunia berikutan kehadiran ramai pelumba malah media asing semasa temasya tersebut berlangsung kelak.

The Next BIG THING

August 13, 2015

LET’S HAVE IT: Mawan (seated front row left) Abdul Karim (front row, centre) and project director Mohd Fadzil Mat Yusof (front row, right) pose and thumbs up during the press conference at the Meeting Room, Level 3, Baitulmakmur building yesterday.

Tour of Sarawak to be held Jan 13 to 17, 2016

KUCHING: Sarawak to host its first Tour of Sarawak International Cycling Championship (TOS 2016) held from January 13 to 17 next year.

Themed ‘Sports Tourism is the Next Big Thing’ is expected to bring about an impact which will place Sarawak on the world map, especially among the world cycling community.

The five-day championship - or better known as a continental race and sanctioned by the Union Cycling Internationale (UCI) - will feature a distance of 765 Km and start from the city of Miri, ending in the city of Kuching and will race across major towns of Bintulu, Sibu, Sarikei, Betong,Sri Aman, Serian and Sematan.

Four categories will be contested namely Overall Rider, King of Mountain, Best Sprinter and Best Malaysian Rider (Chief Minister Cup).

Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban), Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said in a press conference at the Meeting Room, Level 3, Baitulmakmur building, here, yesterday a total of 20 teams, both local and international, will battle for the overall prize of RM200,000 which will be paid in Euro.

Local teams include TSG (Terengganu), MSN, Malaysia Team and Sarawak Semi Pro team while the other 16 teams are foreign teams.

He added that a positive impact is expected through an economic spillover effect towards the cycling industry and also towards the tourism and cultural industries in the state. 

Tour of Sarawak, riding into world cycling map

August 13, 2015 

Mawan (seated left), Karim (centre), Fadz Industries Sdn Bhd project director Mohd Fadzli Mat Yusof and committee members giving the thumbs up for the Tour of Sarawak.

KUCHING: The Sarawak government through the Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Tourism will collaborate with Fadz Industries Sdn Bhd and Ministry of Youth and Sports to organise the International Cycling Championship The Tour of Sarawak from Jan 13-17 next year.

Sarawak Cycling Association president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the five-day championship, under the theme “Sports Tourism is the Next Big Thing” and covering cities and major towns, will put Sarawak on the world cycling map.

“The championship, which has a rating of 2.2 and is recognised by the UCI, will be upgraded to a rating of 2 if we organise it well and successfully next year and subsequent races,” he told reporters yesterday.

71 or 82, it does not matter

May 28, 2015

NO PROBLEM ... Tan Sri William Mawan (right) and Datuk Dr Stephen RUndi (second right), speaking to the media as Datruk Haji Bdul karim rahman Hamzah (left) and Kameri Affandi look on. 

KUCHING: The High Court's decision in declaring that the Election Commission's (EC) delineation exercise notice as null and void will not affect the State Barisan Nasional's (BN) preparation for the state election.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom stated this when asked by the media yesterday.

"It won't affect us. As far as we are concerned, whether it is 71 or 82 state constituencies, it doesn't matter. We are committed to serve the people, we are here to serve and fulfil what we have promised to the people," he said, commenting on the High Court's decision in declaring the Election Commission's delineation exercise as null and void.

Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Rural), said the matter was between EC and the court.

"For us, if EC wants to appeal, it is up to them. But I think they will make the right decision on this. So I believe they know what to do. We have nothing to do with EC," he said.

Meanwhile, Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister for Youth Development (Urban) said: "It doesn't matter whether it is 71 or 82, we are prepared."

On 15 May, Kuching High Court Judge Datuk Yew Hen Kie ordered the EC to republish its notice to re-delineate the state's electoral boundaries, under Schedule 13 of the Federal Constitution.

Galeri: Youth Day Celebration Briefing

May 28, 2015

(From left) Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pose for the media before the start of their Youth Day celebration briefing at Wisma Bapa Malaysia. -TheBorneoPost

Galeri: Majlis Penyerahan Geran Tahunan Kepada Persatuan-Persatuan Sukan dan Pertubuhan

March 28, 2015

BERSEMANGAT: Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (tengah) ditemani Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah dan Datuk Lee Kim Shin bersama wakil persatuan dan pertubuhan sukan di Kuching semalam.

Abdul Karim: New parties bring new equation to polls

July 19, 2014

SIBU: The coming state election is set to be an interesting affair following the emergence of new political parties but BN will still prevail, PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday.

He believed that an amicable solution could be found to resolve the current political development without exerting a strain on the coalition.

“People can see that only BN has the capability and experience to govern and administer the state. The opposition is merely ‘empty drums’ that make a lot of noise, but doesn’t have the experience to govern a big state like Sarawak.

“But being a democratic country, they do have a role to play as a responsible opposition.

“The presence of new political parties and especially those from SPDP and SUPP that has set up new parties but still declare they are supporting BN and even sitting in the state cabinet, will make the forthcoming election interesting,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman said.

In the latest development, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh would lead the newly registered UPP (United People’s Party) and joining him were Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili) and Ranum Mina (Opar).

Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, meanwhile, will continue to helm Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).

Karim kesal kenyataannya disalah erti Bakat Gira

July 4, 2014

KUCHING: Ada nada kesal diluahkan Ahli Majlis Tertinggi PBB Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah apabila kenyataan beliau sebelum ini disalah erti oleh Ketua Pemuda PRS Baleh Bakat Gira.

Menurut Karim, kenya-taan beliau sebelum ini tidak ada langsung menyebut tentang Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (TERAS) kerana isu itu cuma layak dibincangkan di peringkat BN Negeri dan Pusat.

Beliau juga katanya, tidak ada menyebut tentang penubuhan TERAS dan kesannya boleh memecah-belahkan masyarakat Dayak.

Malah beliau enggan diseret ke dalam isu berkaitan pe-mimpin-pemimpin Dayak.

“Jika ketua Pemuda PRS Baleh ingin mengheret saya ke dalam perbincangan perpecahan di kalangan masya-rakat Dayak susulan penubuhan TERAS, saya ingin memaklumkan ia bukan niat saya ketika memberi kenya-taan sebelum ini,” katanya menerusi satu kenyataan semalam.

Karim yang juga Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia berkata dalam kenyataan sebelum ini beliau cuma mempersoalkan mengapa PBB tidak disertakan dalam istilah ‘gabungan minda’.

Gabungan itu cuma membabitkan PRS, SUPP dan SPDP, sedangkan PBB juga merupakan sebuah parti komponen BN.

Galeri: Handing over of Sarawak flag to Sarawak SUKMA squad

May 22, 2014

Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (second right) handing over the Sarawak flag to Datuk Lee Kim Shin (centre) while (from left) Lucas Kalang, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi look on.

Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (centre) together with Datuk Lee Kim Shin (fifth right), Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (fourth right) and Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi (seventh right) cheering on the state’s Sukma contingent at the ceremony yesterday. 

Karim - The return of G4 will strengthen SPDP

March 22, 2014

“The return of the four Aduns (state assemblymen) would definitely strengthen SPDP.” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah 

KUCHING: The reinstatement of the four former leaders of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) into the party, who together with former Mas Gading MP Dr Tiki Lafe were sacked by the party, has been hailed by the state’s political leaders as a good move.

Datuk Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru assemblyman), Datuk Sylvester Enrri (Marudi), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau), who were sacked from the party for gross insubordination and dubbed ‘G4’, received their reinstatement certificates on Wednesday.

Before they were sacked, Nansian was senior vice president, Entri and Rosey were vice presidents and Paulus was information chief.

State Barisan Nasional (BN) youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof said the reinstatement of the four elected representatives into the party was a good move that would strengthen SPDP and BN as a whole.

“The (reinstatement) is good for both SPDP and BN,” Fadillah, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) youth chief and Works Minister, said in his text message when contacted.

PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pointed out that it was good to see all was well in SPDP.

“The return of the four Aduns (state assemblymen) would definitely strengthen SPDP,” the Asajaya assemblyman, who is former chief political secretary to the chief minister, wrote in his text message when contacted.

Tang Soo Do disokong jadi acara SUKMA 2016

March 22, 2014

ALBUM: Abdul Karim (tiga kiri) dan Teo (empat kanan) merakamkan kenangan bersama ahli Persatuan Tang Soo Do Kuching semalam.

KUCHING: Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menyokong cadangan Persatuan Tang Soo Do Kuching untuk menyenaraikan seni mempertahankan diri Tang Soo Do sebagai salah satu acara yang akan dipertandingkan pada SUKMA 2016 di Sarawak.

Beliau berkata demikian semasa menerima kunjungan hormat dari persatuan tersebut semalam.

Justeru, Abdul Karim menggesa persatuan tersebut agar tampil dengan cadangan yang lebih lengkap untuk dibentangkan kepada kerajaan negeri bagi mendapatkan kelulusan.

“Kerajaan negeri amat berminat untuk mengetengahkan sukan baharu yang berpotensi seperti Tang Soo Do dipertandingkan pada SUKMA 2016,” katanya.

“Saya percaya Sarawak mempunyai potensi cerah dalam sukan tempur seperti ini berdasarkan pencapaian yang diperolehi pada kejohanan tahunan peringkat negeri dan kebangsaan sebelum ini.”

Abdul Karim yang juga Menteri Muda Perumahan turut optimis sukan yang cukup popular di seluruh negara itu akan disenaraikan dalam SUKMA 2016.

“Ia mempunyai potensi yang baik kerana ramai atlet kita pernah meraih kejayaan dalam kejohanan tersebut. Saya yakin, sukan itu akan menghadiahkan banyak pingat buat Sarawak,” tambahnya.

Galeri: Majlis Penyerahan Geran dan Penghargaan 2014

March 7, 2014

Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (second right) presenting the government grant to Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) deputy president Datu Abu Bakar Marzuki (right) while (from left) Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Rural Areas) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin look on. -Source

Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (front row, third right) together with (from left) Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Rural Areas) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Ministry of Social Development permanent secretary Affendi Keli during a photo call with the grant recipients. -Source

No place for Perkasa in Sarawak — Karim

November 20, 2013

KUCHING: Radical Malay group Perkasa has no place in society, especially in Sarawak.

Assistant Youth Development Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak’s racial and religious harmony must not be shaken by such extremism.

“They (Perkasa) are not welcome in Sarawak and so are those other organisations that propagate likewise views.

“Our harmonious inter-racial and inter-religious fabric that has been built up in the state must not be disturbed by those with extreme racial views,” he said in a text message yesterday.

He was commenting on a recent news report that Perkasa plans to set up a chapter in Sarawak.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Housing Minister, cited the example of the former country known as Yugoslavia.

“We have seen Yugoslavia disintegrate because of extreme views on race and religion and we do not want the same to happen in Malaysia or Sarawak,” he asserted.