BN’s winning streak shows people are ‘impatient, unhappy’ with PH — Karim

April 15, 2019

KUCHING: Barisan Nasional’s (BN) winning streak at by-elections held post-GE14 is a sign that the people are growing impatient and unhappy with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the back-to-back-to-back wins for BN in Cameron Highlands, Semenyih and the latest Rantau by-election reflects the groundswell feeling of unhappiness among the people.

“The rakyat (people) are beginning to see all the promises, pledges and good governance promised by PH prior to GE14 are just lies and they are now throwing the bat back at PH,” he said when contacted yesterday on the result of the Rantau by-election, which saw incumbent Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan retain the seat for BN with 10,397 votes in a four-cornered contest on Saturday.

‘Unfulfilled promises by PH, choice of candidate among reasons for BN’s win in Cameron Highlands’

January 27, 2019

SIBU: Unfulfilled promises by Pakatan Harapan (PH) to voters and the choice of candidate were among the many reasons for Barisan Nasional (BN)’s win in the just concluded Cameron Highlands parliamentary by-election, said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Abdul Karim expressed this personal view today when asked for the factors contributing to BN’s success in retaining the seat, which it held since 1974 general election.

“There are many reasons why voters gave their votes to BN in Cameron Highlands despite the landslide win by PH in the last GE.

Tanjong Datu voters will not be easily swayed by STAR

February 08, 2017

KUCHING: A PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the fact that all STAR candidates lost their deposits during the last state election was a clear reflection that Sarawakian voters were not stupid and easily swayed by rhetoric and fantasy of its president Lina Soo and her bunch of dreamers.

“She claimed MA63 is the core agenda of STAR in the last state election and this by-election. 

Well said by Lina but not very well received by Sarawakian voters in the last state election and God willing, also in this by-election,” said Karim Hamzah as reported by The Borneo Post today.

Meanwhile State BN youth chief Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said with or without the by-election, the government had implemented various developments that had been promised to the people in Tanjong Datu.

“Our former chief minister (the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem) had tabled a plan for Tanjong Datu, what has been achieved with more planning for the people.

Abdul Karim chides opposition candidates in Tanjong Datu by-election

February 6, 2017

KUCHING: PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is not pleased with candidates from State Reform Party Sarawak (STAR) and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) contesting in the Tanjong Datu by-election.

Among others, STAR candidate Johnny Aput’s manifesto focuses on the autonomy of Sarawak based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 which he claimed the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem was too slow to pursue.

PBDS Baru candidate Rapelson Richard Hamit, on the other hand, said his main area of contention is the recognition of ‘pemakai menoa’ and ‘pulau galau’, which was ruled by the Federal Court recently as having no force of law.

Abdul Karim, without mincing his words, said Johnny probably thought he had an ‘Alladin Lamp’ that could expedite the state’s quest for greater autonomy.

“He better be ‘down to earth’ than to live in his own dreamland. Even if he wins the seat, which is near impossible, his sole voice will not even be heard by Kuala Lumpur. He can’t even open the doors of Putrajaya.

‘Jamilah perfect candidate for Tanjong Datu’

February 2, 2017

KUCHING: A PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu is the perfect candidate for Tanjong Datu.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, said Jamilah was the pillar behind the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and she herself was very passionate and committed in whatever task she did.

“Therefore, playing the role of an elected representative, in the event she wins (in the coming by-election) will fit her well,” he said in a press statement received here yesterday.

According to Abdul Karim, Jamilah had been involved in community and charitable works ever since Adenan was the elected the people’s representative of Muara Tuang way back in the late 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

“She continued that (her works) in Tanjong Datu when Tok Nan moved there and I don’t think anybody in Tanjong Datu doesn’t know or not recognises her,” he said.

THANK YOU to Sarawak PKR and its chairman Baru Bian

January 27, 2017

KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has been credited for its commitment in not contesting in the upcoming Tanjong Datu by-election.

Assistant Minister for Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said by not contesting in the by-election, PKR had shown maturity in their political struggle and also showed that it did not oppose just for the sake of opposing.

“I would like to thank the state PKR and Baru Bian (Ba Kelalan assemblyman and state PKR chairman) for their gracious commitment in not contesting

in Tanjong Datu by-election as a mark of respect for (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri) Adenan (Satem) and for his effort to bring back our diminished rights. Such effort will go a long way in uniting Sarawakians,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Baru, in announcing the party’s decision not to contest in Tanjong Datu by-election on Wednesday, said it was a gesture to let Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and the state government continue implementing the vision and policies that Adenan made for Sarawak while he was the chief minister.

BN/PBB hopes Tanjung Datu by-election uncontested

January 20, 2017

KUCHING: Assistant minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hopes to see Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) win Tanjung Datu uncontested in the Feb 18 by-election.

He said winning the seat — which is vacant following the demise of Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem — uncontested “is a very good way to finish it off.”

The Assistant Minister for Housing said: “From what we have seen since the passing of Datuk Patinggi (Adenan), you can see he is very much loved by the people.”

“We know it is democracy and that anybody can contest. But then as a sign of last farewell for his area, we’d love to see (BN-PBB) win uncontested,” he said when met by reporters after the swearing-in ceremony at the State Legislative Assembly Complex here yesterday.

Karim, who is also Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, has absolute confidence that BN would not just retain Tanjung Datu but register a big win if there is a contest.

PRK PERMATANG PAUH - Tahniah PKR

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Karim: BN still relevant

May 07, 2015

KUCHING: The BN's win in the just-concluded Rompin parliamentary by-election is a reflection that BN is still relevant and accepted by the people, says Assistant Minister for Social Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Karim said the reduced majority in the by-election was not a reflection that BN was losing ground.

"The 8,000 plus majority garnered by the BN candidate is a huge majority in itself. We can't compare General Election and By-election. There are different scenarios," he said when asked to give his comments yesterday on the just concluded Rompin parliamentary by-election.

In the just concluded by-election, BN retained the seat with a majority of 8,895 votes. The BN candidate Datuk Hassan Ariffin obtained a total of 23,796 votes or 61 percent of the votes casted which his challenger Nazri Ahmad of PAS secured a total of 14,901 votes (39 percent).

Karim said despite the all out onslaught by the Opposition, BN still managed to win the seat with a handsome majority.

"So all these rumours that BN has lost credibility is just a myth," said Karim, who is also state assemblyman fort Asajaya.

In the 13th General Election held in May 2013, the late Tan Sri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis retained the seat for BN after defeating PAS candidate Nuridah Mohd Salleh with a majority of 15,144 votes.

PRK ROMPIN- Tahniah Barisan Nasional

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Pengkalan Kubor win shows faith in BN

September 28, 2014

KUCHING: The Barisan Nasional’s (BN’s) victory in the Pengkalan Kubor by-election reflects the people’s strong faith in the coalition government.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said Mat Razi Mat Ali’s ability to retain the seat for the party with an increased majority clearly showed voters turning to BN.

“Definitely yes, more so when BN defeated PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) in the last 13th general election, and now the victory against PAS (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) with a higher majority,” Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), told thesundaypost.

Karim- Oppositions always want early election coz they don't have anything else to do

April 1, 2014

“Why waste our time with too much politicking? If you ask the opposition, of course they want an early election." -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Politicians from both sides of the political divide have mixed views on whether Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem would call for an early state election following a landslide victory scored by Barisan Nasional (BN) in the recent Balingian by-election.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, when contacted said the good election result scored by BN in Balingian did not necessarily mean that Adenan would call for an early state election.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Housing Minister, doubted there would be any snap polls as the term of the present State Legislative Assembly would expire on June 20, 2016.

“Why waste our time with too much politicking? If you ask the opposition, of course they want an early election.

“It is because they have nothing else better to do. For BN, upon winning, we have to address the Rakyat’s needs. When the term expires, then we call for a fresh election,” said the Asajaya assemblyman.

Yussibnosh Balo from BN won the by-election beating PKR candidate Abdul Jalil Bujang by 6,911 votes.

Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, who shared the view that an early state election was unlikely to happen, said although BN won with a huge majority, the votes for Pakatan Rakyat also increased a lot.

Karim: It is good that PKR has beautiful dreams of winning Balingian

March 17, 2014

“But when you wake up and face reality, only then you realise it’s just a dream, and the good feeling is just temporary.” -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: PKR will face the full might of the BN in the Balingian by-election, said state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi.

Promising an all-out fight to keep their stronghold, he added they would fight the opposition as a ‘BN team’.

“We have anticipated their style of campaigning and shall not be overwhelmed by their aggressiveness,” said Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).

He was reacting to PKR Lanang branch chief George Chen’s statement claiming of brighter chance of wresting the seat from BN.

Chen had on Saturday revised their chances of winning Balingian from 30/70 to 50/50 due to “positive vibes on the ground”.

Dr Rundi said PKR were entitled to their opinion and BN would not be affected by it.

“Whatever it is, we will not be morally affected as we know our strength and, to some extent, theirs as well. We will go and fight them to our utmost strength as a BN team.”

Karim: It doesn't matter whether bigger or reduced majority in Balingian

March 14, 2014

KUCHING: A supreme council member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is confident that Barisan Nasional (BN) will win the Balingian by-election.

However, he pointed out that whether it would win with a bigger or reduced majority did not matter.

“BN will win the seat…and on whether the majority will increase or decrease is not too important, what is important is that the election process is done smoothly and BN wins the seat,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Youth Development Minister, said in his text message.

Abdul Karim did not dwell further on the candidate, except to say that the candidate is a Melanau Christian and his name will be announced by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin tomorrow.

At least five names – Adrian Langi Dorhat Alphonsus, Yussibnosh Balo, Akit Sebli, Dr Anthony Valentine Laiseh and Paul Druce – have been bandied about as the potential candidate.

The seat fell vacant following the resignation of incumbent Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Feb 28 to take up his appointment as the state’s seventh Yang di-Pertua Negeri on March 1.

Opposition will be rejected in Balingian — Abdul Karim

 March 3, 2014

SIBU: Voters in Balingian state constituency will reject the opposition’s brand of politics founded on malicious campaigning and lies.

This is because voters there are mature and know which party has been helping them, said PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

He was reacting to state PKR chairman Baru Bian’s statement that PKR would field a local candidate and use the price hike as their weapon against BN.

Tagging themselves as ‘underdog’, Baru claimed they were capable of winning the hearts of the people there despite it being a BN stronghold.

To this, Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said: “What else is new to PR or PKR?

“I thought they have been using price hike as one of their main campaigning issues in the past election and this one is nothing new.”

He reckoned that PKR must have been looking for issues as propaganda the last few days and could only come up with the “price hike” again to hoodwink the people.

Karim: Balingian is as good as ours already

March 2, 2014

KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) which indicated that it will contest in the Balingian by-election, will hardly be a match for juggernaut BarisanNasional (BN).

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the seat “is already as good as ours (BN)”.

“Whoever is going to contest against BN is the least of our concerns.

“We are not being arrogant, but the seat is as good as ours already,” the Assistant Minister of Youth Development pointed out in his text message.

The Balingian seat fell vacant after Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud relinquished the chief minister’s post on Feb 28 and was appointed the seventh Head of State.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing, said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) of PKR was just “wasting their time” contesting as the constituency is a stronghold of PBB and BN.

State BN secretary-general DatukDr Stephen Rundi Utom has also said BN was ready for the opposition and stands united against its fledgling foe.

Newly-formed state Pakatan Rakyat Council is ‘old hat’, says PBB supreme council member

February 17, 2014

SIBU: There will be no united front in the newly formed state Pakatan Rakyat Council as parties aligned under PR have never been able to consolidate in Sarawak.

PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this was because there was no difference from the earlier PR when the pact was claimed to be a united platform.

“Since when has DAP, PKR, PAS and now SWP been able to work together in Sarawak? They align themselves under PR but that is only to hoodwink us that they are ‘united’.

“Come election, they start bashing each other and fight over who should contest. Every party wants to contest practically every seat that is available for contest,” said Karim, who is Asajaya, assemblyman.

“Now, they form the state Pakatan Rakyat Council, which is no different from the earlier PR that they claimed as a united platform. People are not easily taken in by all these names.

“It is just the same snake that has shed its skin. There will be no united front among them,” said Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development.

He was asked if the newly formed council would see PR working as a united front.