Pemergian Wong Ho Leng kehilangan besar dalam arena politik Sarawak

June 23, 2014

Wong Ho Leng seorang yang berdedikasi dan komited dalam perjuangan politiknya. -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Pemergian Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Assek Wong Ho Leng disifatkan kehilangan besar dalam arena politik Sarawak meskipun mendiang berpegang kepada ideologi politik yang berbeza.

Menurut Pengerusi Kelab Penyokong Barisan Nasional Negeri (BNBBC) Sarawak Abdullah Saidol, Wong merupakan seorang pemimpin politik yang lantang berbicara terutama ketika membangkitkan isu pada Persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN).

“Sebagai seorang ADUN yang baharu, saya rasa bertuah dan bangga kerana berkesempatan mengenali seorang pemimpin seperti beliau terutama pengalaman berdepan dengannya setiap kali DUN bersidang.

“Bagi pihak rakan-rakan BNBBC Sarawak serta semua setiausaha politik Ketua Menteri, saya ingin menyampaikan ucapan takziah kepada keluarga Mendiang Wong Ho Leng,” kata Abdullah yang juga ADUN Semop dan Ketua Setiausaha Politik Ketua Menteri.

Menteri Muda Perumahan merangkap ADUN Asajaya Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pula melihat Wong sebagai seorang yang berdedikasi dan komited dalam perjuangan politiknya.

“Hakikatnya mendiang seorang pemidato yang baik dan Sarawak telah kehilangan seorang pemimpin politik yang baik walaupun mendiang pemimpin yang duduk dalam barisan pembangkang.

“Beliau adalah seorang yang profesional dan mempunyai ramai rakan dalam BN,” kata bekas pengerusi BNBBC Sarawak itu.

Resounding endorsement for CM

June 8, 2014

“The first 10 days as chief minister was full of events and he showed his capability as chief executive officer of the state in riding through these events without any glitches.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

Adenan being interviewed during ‘Khas Bersama’ show to commemorate his 100 days in office at RTM Auditorium.

Adenan’s first 100 days in office has convinced the people he is the right person to take over the helm of the state

KUCHING: The commitment of Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem to stave off religious and racial extremists, strong stance on Sarawak’s position in the nation, call for oil and gas 20 per cent royalty for the state and reaching out to the opposition in his first 100 days has won him a resounding endorsement from the people.

It was not only his stance on these key issues that won him the plaudits as Adenan had also proven that he could walk the talk by putting his words into action as shown by his approval of RM1 million for the medical bills of former DAP state chief Wong Ho Leng.

A survey carried out by thesundaypost showed that the new chief minister has won the approval of the people and leaders in his first 100 days in office.

Minister of Works Datuk Fadillah Yusof says Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem has proven that he is the right man to take over from Tun Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud as chief minister.

Fadillah added that Adenan had lived up to the expectations of the people in his first 100 days.

“I’m very thankful that the people in the state have been giving great response to the chief minister’s first 100 days in office,” he said yesterday after officiating at the Datuk Fadillah Sepak Takraw competition at The Hills shopping complex.

Abd Karim: DAP ‘go rural’ most welcomed

June 11, 2013

SIBU: DAP’s mission to go rural may well be an eye opener for them so that they can appreciate that Sarawak is almost the size of Peninsula and to implement development projects is certainly no walk in the park.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the opposition’s move to go to the rural areas was most welcomed so that they could see for themselves the real thing.

He was responding to DAP’s three broad strategies to break BN stronghold in the state, one of which was that they had identified 20 rural seats as special focus in the next state election.

Outgoing state DAP chairman, Wong Ho Leng, who proposed the strategies during the 16th DAP Sarawak Ordinary Convention, said the party should implement the strategies to do well in the 11th state election.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said: “Malaysia is a democratic country, and all registered political parties have the rights to strategise themselves to win over the people.

“We welcome them to the rural areas and hopefully, this could open their eyes and see that Sarawak is a big state and to develop it is not easy after all.”

He said that the party (DAP) was able to prove its strength by winning many urban seats in the last state and general elections.

DAP’s ‘Ulu drive’ won’t succeed — BN leaders

May 27, 2013

“DAP Sarawak only fight for Chinese education and cultures only. DAP mostly addresses issues in urban areas only. DAP hardly go to rural areas.” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah 

Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi

SIBU: The state BN is well prepared to thwart any attempts by the DAP to mislead the people in their bid to establish a support base in the rural areas.

Its secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said this yesterday when asked to comment on DAP’s plan to embark on a ‘Ulu drive’ as it mounts early preparations for the 11th state election.

“We anticipated their moves and are fully prepared to counter any attempts to mislead the rural people,” Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), told The Borneo Post.

State DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng said the party needed to make early preparations for the state polls and would go the extra mile to reach out to the people.

The 10th state election was held in April 2011, meaning the term of the current State Legislative Assembly (DUN) will only expire in 2016.

Datuk Fadillah Yusof

Meanwhile, state BN Youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof, urged all in the state BN to prepare early for the state polls.

“Get our act together and make sure members are registered as voters. Engage with all the people, listen and understand them, and give the best service in whatever way we can.

“That will be the recipe to win the hearts and minds of the people, and whatever the opposition wants to do is up to them.

“If the people can see and feel that BN can give the best to them, I believe BN will always be the people’s choice,” said Fadillah, who is also Works Minister and Petra Jaya MP.

Karim: DAP only good at 'barking'

April 13, 2013

“When it comes to delivery and actually looking after the people, it is still BN, BN and BN.” Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Recapturing Sibu in the 13th general election ranks high on BN’s list of priorities, and top BN leaders believe this goal is achievable.

Since the BN stronghold fell to the DAP by 398 votes in the 2010 by-election, BN had been working tirelessly to regain lost grounds, and frequent visits by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had made things easier.

The prime minister’s transformational programmes had also created a `feel good’ ambience in Sibu, says some BN leaders.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said recent feedback from various sources in Sibu were positive.

“It is not an impossible target (to win back Sibu). We will work very hard to make sure a resounding victory for BN,” Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities, told The Borneo Post.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said DAP had shown that they were only good at ‘barking’.

“When it comes to delivery and actually looking after the people, it is still BN, BN and BN,” said Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

‘Election fiasco turns party into laughing stock’

Posted on January 6, 2013, Sunday

SIBU: DAP election fiasco had turned the party into a laughing stock as their creditability has been questioned.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah voiced out yesterday that DAP should first check their own party election as there were so many fishy tales and stinky smell to clear.

“DAP being a party that claim to be the most democratic, transparent and multi-racial is now a laughing stock with the ‘fishy’ party election.

“I am amused at how DAP had ‘rigged’ their own election results to bring in Zairil as their 20th elected committee member.

“Zairil, who initially got only 300 plus votes suddenly had his votes ballooned up to 800 plus after a recount! Something is not right somewhere!

“So what has Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen or Sibu MP Wong Ho Leng got to say? Don’t even bother to question SPR for a clean election.

“Check your own party election first! So much of fishy tales and stinky smell to clear …,” said Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

Barisan Nasional doubts there’s peace within PR

Posted on January 5, 2013, Saturday

“Baru Bian can claim and shout aloud but the one that holds the trump card and makes the decision is still DAP. PKR is asking for Miri, and Stampin seats. Just ask DAP whether they agree?"

SIBU: The Barisan Nasional (BN) is unfazed by claims from the opposition pact that all their three parties are now seeing eye-to-eye.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said yesterday they were not concerned whether or not Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was more organised in facing BN this impending general election.

“No matter what they claim to be, the reality is that they can never come to terms and we all know that. And we are not concerned whether they are more organised for we will fight them, even in more organised strategy than we’d ever been.

“Come election the voters will tell who they want to lead this country,” Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), told The Borneo Post when contacted.

State PKR chief Baru Bian was reported to have told a press conference in Kuching on Thursday that the issue of the so-called overlapping seats was never a main concern of the three parties; namely PKR, DAP and PAS.

Baru was also reported to have said that they had reached an understanding that their main target was BN, adding that they had made a stand that they would accept and support whoever the candidate was.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, meanwhile, said it was wishful thinking on Baru’s part as the statement did not come from Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen or Sibu MP Wong Ho Leng, who led DAP.

‘Don’t stir up East vs Semenanjung sentiments’

Posted on September 19, 2012, Wednesday

PR leaders should ‘grow up’ and learn to appreciate that without Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah would not have developed into what they were today.

SIBU: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) should not sow the seed of discontent, ‘fertilising’ it through the Kuching Declaration that could stir up sentiments of ‘East vs Semenanjung’, said SUPP Sibu vice-chairman Daniel Ngieng.

Warning them of the impending backlash through their pursuit of such political gimmick, he stressed that national solidarity and goodwill must be built on understanding and mutual respect.

“Why the Kuching Declaration now? They want to stir up sentiments of ‘East vs Semenanjung’, and thereafter hope to ride on it to derail BN support in the two states.

“You see, national solidarity and goodwill must be built on understanding and mutual respect,” he said in response to PR’s claim to champion the rights of Sarawak and Sabah.

Last Sunday, national and state leaders of PR signed the Kuching Declaration, pledging to restore Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners of Peninsular Malaysia if they (PR) form the next government.

The declaration which contained seven articles was signed by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian, Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng and PAS Sarawak commissioner Adam Ahid.

The articles include equal partners (restoring autonomy to Sarawak and Sabah within the framework of the Federal Constitution).

Ngieng responded: “We here enjoy autonomous rights like immigration which BN upholds. Both PAS and DAP leaders have criticised it and called for abolition of our state rights.”

It was ironic how now PR issued the Kuching Declaration with one singing this and promising that.

It was just opportunistic on the part of the opposition, Ngieng commented.

He asked: “Could you trust someone like Anwar to defend your rights?”

When contacted, Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said: “PR should not have sown the seed of discontent on the day we celebrate our state’s independence and on the day we celebrate Malaysia Day.
   

Karim: Turning Sept 16 into a political event disgusting

September 15, 2012

SIBU: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will make a declaration on Sept 16, which state DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen said would be historical and would give meaning to the Malaysia Day.

PR is not about to disclose the gist of the declaration, dubbed ‘The Kuching Declaration’.

Earlier press reports said the declaration would be signed by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, state PKR liaison chief Baru Bian, state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng and Sarawak PAS commissioner Adam Ahid.

The declaration would be made during a gathering in Kuching.

Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when contacted yesterday said he had no idea what the declaration was about.

“It does smell of some ‘political do’. If Pakatan plans to hijack this date for a political do, I can only say here that I am disgusted,” he said.

Added Karim: “They have brought themselves so low to the extent of playing politics with our Independence Day…a day which we should put aside politics to celebrate and be proud of what we have achieved as a Free Independent Nation.”

‘RON97 petrol price cut no polls gimmick’

July 6, 2012

KUCHING: The government’s decision to reduce the retail price of RON97 petrol by another 20 sen to RM2.60 per litre is not an election gimmick, says Assistant Minister of Social Development (Youth) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“The announcement has nothing to do with the general election. It reflects an honest and transparent government. If the government is not honest and transparent, it would just continue selling the item at higher price and reap more profit which I think the Pakatan Rakyat government might do that if it were in power,” Abdul Karim said yesterday.

The Asajaya assemblyman noted that everyone knew that the prices of global crude oil had dropped considerably lately and this was reflected in the price of RON97 which had fluctuated according to the global crude oil prices.

State PKR vice-chairman See Chee How meanwhile said the price reduction did not really benefit the motorists because only about 10 per cent of them were using RON97.

He said that since most motorists were using RON95 the Batu Lintang assemblyman suggested that its price should be reduced.

State DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng also said the price reduction was an election gimmick considering that election was just around the corner. He admitted though that the reduction was caused by the drop in global crude oil prices brought about by market forces.

The government announced on Wednesday that the retail price of RON97 was reduced by 20 sen to RM2.60 per litre effective yesterday.

Squabbles proof of DAP’s dictatorial policy — Abdul Karim

June 23, 2012

KUCHING: The Democratic Action Party (DAP) candidacy squabble for Miri and Sarikei has got the attention of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said the squabble reflected DAP selection committee’s “high handedness and dictatorial attitude”.

With such an attitude, Abdul Karim pointed out that it was high time for DAP members and the people of Miri and Sarikei to realise that the present leadership led by Wong Ho Leng and Chong Chieng Jen were only grooming cronies aligned to them.

“The DAP candidacy squabbles in Miri and Sarikei only reflects DAP selection committee’s high handedness and dictatorial attitude and its failure to being sensitive to the grassroots’ request and need.

“So, where is the democracy in DAP?” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Youth Development Minister, said in an SMS to The Borneo Post.

The assistant housing minister and Asajaya assemblyman stressed that even in Kuching, DAP’s two new prospective candidates were personal assistants to Chong.

DAP, stay out of rural area !

October 11, 2011

KUCHING: The failure of the Dayak Consultative Council (DCC) seminar organised by the DAP in Siburan last Sunday afternoon has prompted several state BN leaders to advise the opposition party to forget about bringing their brand of politics to the rural or semi-rural areas.

The seminar had Dr John Brian Anthony, chairman of DCC, as main speaker and state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng and secretary Chong Chieng Jen as supporting speakers. Also present at the event to lend moral support were DCC members Edward Luak and Ben Diomedes

As only a few people turned up, the DAP had to convert the seminar into a press conference attended by six reporters, mostly from the Chinese press. There were about 80 empty seats at the venue.

The failure was a massive blow to the Chinese-based opposition party’s effort to penetrate the rural areas. John Brian had flown all the way from Kuala Lumpur, hoping to deliver his speech in front of a full house audience.

Ho Leng, the Sibu MP and Bukit Assek assemblyman, explained that the people in Siburan had other commitments and that was why they could not attend the so called non-political Dayak seminar.

The Borneo Post asked state BN leaders on what they thought about this ill-fated seminar.

Bengoh assemblyman Dr Jerip Susil, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Health, said: “They (DAP) are trying to penetrate Bengoh, but the people are not keen on their brand of politics.”

‘1 country, 2 systems’ - Divisive and Dangerous?

August 19, 2011

KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Masing described United Borneo Front (UBF) founder Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan’s advocacy for Malaysia to be “one country, two systems” as divisive and dangerous.

He said the proposal was against the objective of the formation of Malaysia and should be rejected outright by all peace-loving Malaysians.

“His (Dr Jeffery) view is very dangerous for nation building because we already are moving forward as one nation under 1Malaysia.

“To think otherwise means that he wants to break up this country. This, we should never allow,” Masing told The Borneo Post here yesterday.

Jeffery had said that the federal government should allow Sabah and Sarawak to be developed based on their own capitalist economic and political systems.

He explained that the two states should be allowed to have their own systems as they were different from Peninsular Malaysia.

“Our rights are not the same as theirs. Our geographical condition is different and we do not have economic growth as the other states in the peninsular have,” said Jeffery, adding that the 20 Point Agreement had clearly stated that Sabah and Sarawak were equal partners with Malaya and not one of the states in Malaysia.

SUPP sentiasa berkhidmat kepada rakyat

July 9, 2011

Kerap turun padang amat penting terutama dalam usaha mendengar dan menyelesaikan masalah rakyat. -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP) merupakan sebuah parti yang sentiasa berkhidmat kepada rakyat, mendengar kesusahan mereka dan berusaha mencari jalan penyelesaian kepada masalah yang dihadapi rakyat.

“Bagi kami di Sibu, kita sentiasa turun padang untuk bertemu dengan rakyat,” ujar Pengerusi SUPP Cawangan Sibu, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh kepada pemberita, semalam.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditanya berhubung persediaan SUPP bagi menghadapi pilihan raya umum akan datang, lebih-lebih lagi berhubung kenyataan Pengerusi Kelab Penyokong Kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pada majlis makan malam kelab, baru-baru ini.

Abdul Karim dalam majlis itu memberitahu, memandangkan pilihan raya semakin hampir, semua wakil rakyat BN yang dipilih harus turun padang ke kawasan masing-masing untuk bertemu serta menyelesaikan masalah rakyat.

Menurut beliau, kerap turun padang amat penting terutama dalam usaha mendengar dan menyelesaikan masalah rakyat.

Ditanya mengenai calon yang berpotensi bagi merampas kembali kerusi Parlimen Sibu, Wong berkata, perkara itu masih dibincangkan.

“Kami masih membincangkan siapa calon yang sesuai,” ujarnya yang juga Menteri Alam Sekitar dan Kesihatan Awam merangkap Menteri Kewangan Kedua.

Walkout a publicity stunt — Karim

July 1, 2011

KUCHING: The ‘walkout’ by DAP assemblypersons on the final day of State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Wednesday is nothing but a publicity stunt.

According to the chairman of Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the opposition’s action was only meant to gain publicity.

All 12 DAP assemblypersons abruptly staged a walkout when Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu delivered his winding-up speech.

Three other opposition members from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) however stayed in the chamber.

The group, led by Wong Ho Leng (Bukit Assek) later told the media that they decided to leave the chamber when the minister refused to take any clarification from them.

At the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club dinner on Wednesday, Karim said: “The walkout by DAP is something they do to gain publicity…it is just a publicity stint (by DAP).

“With their action, you will see and read in the newspaper tomorrow (today),” Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman pointed out.

Karim: Shadow cabinet trouble expected

May 7, 2011

Opposition front does not practise spirit of consultationI had expected that the shadow cabinet would not be accepted by (PKR Sarawak chief) Baru Bian. I was proven right today (yesterday).- Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah 

KUCHING: The rejection of the opposition’s shadow cabinet by PKR was expected, said Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club chairman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

He pointed out this is because the opposition front does not practise the spirit of consultation and consensus like the BN.

“I had expected that the shadow cabinet would not be accepted by (PKR Sarawak chief) Baru Bian. I was proven right today (yesterday),” he said when contacted yesterday.

Karim, who is also chief political secretary to the chief minister, was commenting on yesterday’s news reports which quoted Baru as saying that he rejected outright the shadow cabinet lineup announced by state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng on May 1.

Baru, the newly-elected Ba Kelalan assemblyman, had also said he had decided not to accept the shadow cabinet because the committee meeting chaired by Wong had failed to include his opinion as state PKR liaison chief.

By making such a unilateral decision, Karim said DAP showed its chauvinistic side by naming its men for important portfolios.

As such, he called on PKR as well as SNAP to re-evaluate their working relations with DAP.

‘Opposition ministers must behave properly’

May 3, 2011

“It’s a mockery of the multi-ethnic composition of Sarawak.” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahmah Hamzah

KUCHING: Land Development Minister Dato Sri Dr James Masing said the formation of a shadow Cabinet is not new but the opposition ‘ministers’ must behave properly.

“What they do now will reflect what they will do as a minister if they take over (the government),” said Masing who is Baleh assemblyman

Masing who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president said he believed the voters were wise enough to know what type of leaders they want to govern them.

“If they are rational in their presentation in the state legislative assembly (DUN) then you (people) will have a rational minister. If they behave like monkeys, then you will have monkeys as your leaders,” he said when asked to comment on the newly formed Pakatan Rakyat state shadow Cabinet.

On the state shadow Cabinet to be led by DAP Sarawak chairman Wong Ho Leng, Masing said; “It happens in countries which practise parliamentary democracy. Opposition leader normally is a Chief Minister-designate. In this case it is Wong Ho Leng.”

“Each shadow ministry including the ‘Chief Minister’ will perform their respective portfolio. The public will judge them accordingly,” he pointed out.

Chief Political secretary to the Chief Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah did not take kindly to the shadow Cabinet. He alleged the current crop of opposition members had made a mockery of the function.

Karim: Mengapa Wong dan bukan Baru sebagai KM kabinet bayangan?

May 3, 2011

“Tetapi kenapa pula kabinet bayangan ini meletakkan Wong Ho Leng sebagai Ketua Menteri?" Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

Kabinet bayangan bukan perkara baru tetapi ‘menteri-menteri’ pembangkang mesti berkelakuan baik

KUCHING: Menteri Kemajuan Tanah Dato Sri James Masing berkata pembentukan kabinet bayangan bukan perkara baru tetapi ‘menteri-menteri’ pembangkang mesti berkelakuan baik.

Beliau berkata usaha Pakatan Rakyat (PR) itu akan menggambarkan perkara yang bakal mereka lakukan sebagai menteri jika mereka mengambil alih kerajaan.

“Jika mereka rasional ketika hadir pada persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) maka anda (rakyat) akan mempunyai menteri yang rasional.

“Sekiranya mereka berkelakuan seperti (menteri) monyet, maknanya anda (rakyat) akan menjadikan monyet sebagai pemimpin,” katanya semalam, apabila diminta mengulas tindakan PR menubuhkan kabinet bayangan.

Masing yang juga presiden Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) berkata beliau percaya pengundi cukup bijak dalam memilih pemimpin untuk memimpin serta mentadbir mereka.

Mengulas lanjut mengenai kabinet bayangan yang diketuai pengerusi DAP Negeri Wong Ho Leng, Masing berkata: “Ia berlaku dalam banyak negara, yang mengamalkan demokrasi berparlimen.

“Pemimpin pembangkang lazimnya adalah Ketua Menteri yang tidak rasmi. Dalam kes ini Ketua Menteri tidak rasmi itu ialah Wong Ho Leng.

Chaos if opposition wins

Posted on March 26, 2011, Saturday

KUCHING: Sarawak is certain to become haywire if the opposition comes to power in the coming state election.

Chief Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this bleak scenario was possible because the component parties within Pakatan Rakyat (PR) were presently trying to outdo each other in order to become the dominant opposition party.

Their focus is not on serving the interest of the rakyat.

“As the election gets nearer, you can see the real colours of the Opposition leaders. They are power crazy and totally do not have the interest of the rakyat in their agenda,” Abdul Karim said when contacted yesterday.

He said all of them were presently scrambling to contest “like vultures going after their prey”, with all their earlier mutual understanding cast aside.

“I can’t imagine how haywire it would be if they come into power. So, vote wisely. Don’t give your vote to the chaotic opposition parties,” he urged.

Karim was asked to comment on the breakdown of seat negotiation between the DAP and PKR as announced by state DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen last Thursday.

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.