Wellbeing of Sarawakians taken care of — Abdul Karim

by Peter Boon, reporters@theborneopost.com. 

Posted on October 27, 2012, Saturday

SIBU: It is puzzling how PKR state vice-chairman See Chee How can urge the people to vote P R MPs into parliament in order to safeguard the state’s socio-economic wellbeing.

A PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday the needs and wellbeing of Sarawakians had all along been well taken care of by BN, and there was no need for PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to show the way.

“I am unsure what See meant by asking people to vote PR MPs into parliament to safeguard and advance the politics and socio-economic wellbeing of the state.

“Are our political and socio-economic wellbeing not safely guarded and advanced now under BN? Do we need Anwar to do it for us? He (See) should look back into history. Anwar has no love for Sarawak,” Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Youth Development, told The Borneo Post.

He was reacting to See’s call for Sarawak voters to make a change to ensure a substantial number of PR MPs be voted into parliament this time, to safeguard and advance the political and socio-economic wellbeing of the state.

He opined that See and Baru Bian were just Anwar’s pawn to get to Putrajaya.

Anwar could have done wonders for Sarawak when he was then deputy prime minister and finance minister, “but did he do it?”

Nod for RM100 mln Samarahan bridge

by Jacob Achoi, reporters@theborneopost.com. 

Posted on October 25, 2012, Thursday

ASAJAYA: Some 70,000 people of Asajaya stand to benefit significantly when the proposed RM100 million Samarahan bridge materialises in about two years time.

Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said work on the project was expected to start next year, and that this development initiative, which would take two years to complete, would not only cut travelling time to the city by about 30 minutes but would also boost development in the area.

“Development in the area would be boosted, what with the Batang Sadong bridge also under construction and expected to be completed in 2016,” he told reporters after presenting land titles and compensations to about 180 people from Kampung Sambir at Asajaya Sports Complex recently.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Housing Minister and Assistant Minister of Youth Development, said the proposed Samarahan bridge was actually approved under the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP) but it had to be put on hold due to financial constraints and after weighing priority considerations.

“Even though it has not been officially announced by the higher authorities, we have received a very positive response that the bridge (at Samarahan) will start next year at a cost of RM100 million.”

‘Give prominence to Bahasa Malaysia’

October 25, 2012

LANGUAGE CAMP: Abdul Karim (second right) presents a certificate to one of the participants of the Language Camp 2012. Also seen are Asmiah (second left) and Dr Norazuna (right).

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Bahasa Malaysia will continue to be the uniting factor for all the races and ethnics in the state, said Assistant Minister of Youth Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the three-day Language Camp 2012 at National Institute of Public Administration (Intan) Sarawak Campus here yesterday, Abdul Karim, highlighted the need for the national language to be given prominence in the state.

“The unity and harmony that we are enjoying among the races and ethnics in the state must be preserved no matter what.

“Therefore, the usage of Bahasa Malaysia, which has been the fundamental element of unity all this while among our people, must be given priority in the state’s administration, education and communications,” the Asajaya assemblyman said.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing, said with the various balanced development programmes undertaken, the state government hoped that Sarawak would not be advanced only in politics, economics and social standards, but also in linguistics, literature and culture.

“With the smart partnership between the state government and federal government agencies such as Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Intan, the linguistic and correspondence fields in the state will improve further,” he added.

As a way to strengthen the use of the national language among government departments, Abdul Karim urged all government departments to give priority to the use of Bahasa Malaysia in their official events and daily correspondences.

Kampung tradisi di Asajaya pasti miliki surat hak milik tanah: Karim

Posted on October 24, 2012

ASAJAYA: Kampung-kampung tradisi di daerah ini akan dipastikan memiliki surat hak milik tanah masing-masing.

Menteri Muda Perumahan Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata meskipun pelaksanaannya memakan masa namun ia akan dijalankan dari semasa ke semasa.

“Kita akan terus memberikan geran hak milik kepada kampung-kampung tradisi yang belum memilikinya.

“Sekarang penyukatan sudah dilaksanakan di beberapa kampung tetapi agak memakan masa namun ia akan dijalankan secara berterusan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui selepas menyempurnakan penyerahan surat hak milik tanah bahagian Samarahan di Kompleks Sukan Asajaya, di sini semalam.

Hadir sama ialah Penguasa Tanah dan Survei Bahagian Samarahan Rozlan Putit.

Pada majlis tersebut, sebanyak 224 surat hak milik tanah diserahkan kepada seramai 180 penerima yang merupakan penduduk Kampung Tradisi Sambir, di sini.

Jambatan pendekkan masa perjalanan penduduk: Karim

October 24, 2012

ASAJAYA: Penduduk di daerah ini dalam tempoh dua atau tiga tahun akan datang dijangka tidak lagi mengalami kesukaran menempuhi perjalanan yang lama untuk pergi ke bandar raya Kuching, sekiranya pembinaan Jambatan Samarahan direalisasikan tahun depan.

Menteri Muda Perumahan Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata walaupun belum lagi diumumkan secara rasmi oleh kerajaan, berita berkenaan projek tersebut adalah positif.

“Saya menjangkakan Jambatan Samarahan ini dapat dibina bermula tahun depan dengan tempoh pembinaan dijadualkan selama dua tahun.

“Dengan adanya jambatan tersebut nanti, ia akan memudahkan penduduk terutama dalam daerah Asajaya untuk pergi ke Kuching.

“Ia juga akan memendekkan tempoh perjalanan kepada setengah jam kerana sekarang memerlukan satu jam,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui selepas menyempurnakan Majlis Penyerahan Surat Hak Milik Tanah Bahagian Samarahan, di sini semalam.

Karim yang juga Menteri Muda Belia berkata anggaran kos pembinaan jambatan tersebut ialah RM100 juta dan dibiayai oleh kerajaan persekutuan.