Two international sports events during VSY 2019

January 30, 2018

Karim (fifth left), Fatimah (sixth left), SM Nasarudin (fourth left) and others during the unveiling of the logo and mascot for the two major events to be held in Kuching next year.

KUCHING: Sports tourism will get a major boost next year when Sarawak play host to the World Para Swimming Championships and the Asia Masters Athletics Championships.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Karim Rahman Hamzah, who launched the two events at Riverside Majestic Hotel here yesterday, said both championships will coincide with Visit Sarawak Year (VSY) 2019.

He added that Kuching will make history as the first city in Asia to host the World Para Swimming Championships from July 29 to Aug 4. The event, which will be held at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, is expected to attract 800 athletes and 400 officials from 80 countries. It will also boost Malaysia’s image in the promotion of inclusiveness and equality.

Crocs brace for Premier League battle

January 29, 2018

Karim and FAS president Datul Posa Majais display the new jersey as other guests look on.

KUCHING: The Football Association Sarawak (FAS) unveiled the Premier League team kit and officially introduced players for the Premier League, President Cup and Youth Team in a ceremony at the newly opened Mydin Petra Jaya here.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sport Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah urged the Crocs to buckle up and dominate the Premier League after last season’s disappointment.

“The fans and sponsors want dedication to be shown by the players and the management, and mismanagement will only lead to disappointment. Therefore lead the team back to its glory,” he told FAS and the players.

Kuching to host two world class sport events next year

January 29, 2018

KUCHING: Kuching City’s ability to organise major sporting events continues to gain the confidence of outsiders as next year it is entrusted to host the 21st Asia Masters Athletics Championship (AMAC) 2019 and the World Para Swimming Championships 2019.

Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the AMAC is scheduled from Dec 2 to Dec 6 at the Sarawak Stadium, while the World Para Swimming Championships 2019 from July 29 until Aug 4 at the Sarawak Aquatic Centre here.

He said the AMAC championship is expected to attract over 3,500 entries from 30 counties worldwide, and it would be the third time for the Malaysian Masters Athletic Association (MMAA) to host the championships, as it had successfully hosted it in Kuala Lumpur in 1990 and 2010.

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.

PBB Zone 2 in full support of Abg Johari’s leadership

January 22, 2018

Abdul Karim (front row, third left) and Abang Johari (front row, third right) are seen with other party officials and elected representative at the Kota Samarahan Civic Centre yesterday during the launching of PBB Zone 2 meeting.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg should remain as Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, according the party’s Zone 2 branches.

Speaking during the launching of PBB Zone 2 meeting at the Kota Samarahan Civic Centre here yesterday, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, commented that the zone’s branches had unanimously agreed to retain Abang Johari as PBB president in the party’s forthcoming Triennial General Meeting (TGM).

Apart from that, the PBB supreme council member said the zone had also agreed the two deputy president posts should be made official for Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and should not be contested during the forthcoming TGM.

Pat on the back for sports event organisers

January 21, 2018

Abdul Karim in a friendly match with Devon.

KUCHING: Hosting sport events can contribute significantly not only to the development of sports. But it is also a great tool to stimulate and drive economic as well as social and community development.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah highlighted this in commending Sarawak Armsports Association (Sasa), the organiser of the 3rd Premier 101 International Charity Arm Wrestling Championship, for going beyond the norm by adding an extra element of carrying social responsibility to hosting the tournament.

“When Sasa told me about the tournament last month, I was excited because the organiser was not only interested to promote the sports via the tournament but also to carry out charitable works via the same platform,” he said at the opening of the Arm Wrestling Championship at Premier 101 on Friday night.

‘Bumi participation in lion dances a cultural showcase’

January 21, 2018

Abdul Karim (fourth left) beating the traditional Chinese drum as gimmick in officiating the 3rd Plaza Merdeka Lion Dance Competition. Accompanying him on stage are Ng (fourth right) and others.

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that Bumiputra involvement in lion dances reflected the intertwining harmony and understanding among the various races in the state.

“We should preserve this kind of culture even though Lion dances are predominantly performed by Chinese,” he said.

“I am very happy to see that the lion dance associations here make efforts to groom Bumiputras as part of their dance troupe and also train them to excel in competitions,” he added.

Sukan elemen penting pelancongan

January 21, 2018

BERTARUNG: Abdul Karim dan Devon bersiap sedia untuk memulakan perlawanan sambil diadili Matthew (tengah) malam kelmarin.

Inisiatif bawa lebih banyak penganjuran sukan bertaraf antarabangsa mampu promosi Sarawak

KUCHING: Kementerian Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan mempertingkat inisiatif membawa lebih banyak penganjuran sukan bertaraf antarabangsa ke Sarawak sebagai usaha mempromosikan industri pelancongan sukan di negeri ini.

Menterinya, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menjelaskan sukan merupakan elemen penting dalam mempromosikan pelancongan sukan di negeri ini selain membantu meningkatkan ekonomi penduduk setempat.

“Penganjuran sukan seperti Pertandingan Gusti Lengan Amal Antarabangsa memberi pulangan ekonomi kepada masyarakat tempatan apabila pengunjung datang bertanding berbelanja di sini.

Galeri: Kunjungan pengurusan kanan NSTP

Januari 17, 2018

NSTP top execs visit Sarawak tourism minister

January 17, 2018

PETRA JAYA: The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP) senior management team paid a courtesy call on Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

Leading the entourage from NSTP was its chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid, who was accompanied by group editor-in-chief Datuk Yushaimi Yahaya, and Media Prima Labs general manager Nicholas Sagau.

They spent an hour with Karim, who shared his plans on accelerating growth in the tourism industry, at the latter's office at Bangunan Baitulmakmur here.

Galeri: Mesyuarat Majlis Perasmian Mesyuarat Perwakilan Cawangan-cawangan Parti PBB Zon 2

Jamuary 15, 2018

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah mempengerusikan mesyuarat Majlis Perasmian Mesyuarat Perwakilan Cawangan-cawangan Parti PBB Zon 2 yang diadakan di Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan pada pagi tadi. Mesyuarat tersebut dihadiri oleh pemimpin-pemimpin parti PBB Zon 2.

Abang Jo berjaya bukti kemampuannya sebagai KM

January 13, 2018

KUCHING: Datuk Pa-tinggi Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg berjaya membuktikan kemampuannya untuk memacu pembangunan alaf baharu setelah setahun memegang tampuk pemerintahan sebagai Ketua Menteri.

Menteri Pelancongan, Ke-senian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, rakyat keseluruhannya berpuas hati dengan corak kepemimpinan dan polisi yang dibawakan Ketua Menteri Sarawak keenam itu.

“Syukur alhamdulillah Abang Johari telah sampai ke tahun pertamanya sebagai Ketua Menteri.

Ministry holds farewell dinner for Ik Pahon

January 12, 2018

Ik Pahon (third left) seen receiving a memento from Abdul Karim (fifth right) during the dinner on Wednesday. Also seen are Lee (fourth right), Snowdan (fourth left) and others.

KUCHING: The Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry hosted a dinner to say goodbye to the ministry’s outgoing permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik on Wednesday.

The minister, in his speech at the dinner, praised Ik Pahon for his work with the ministry, describing him as a person who has vast experience and will certainly do a great job as permanent secretary of another ministry.

“Ik Pahon has been dedicated in serving this ministry. 

Galeri: Paying last respects to the late Tan Sri Celestine Ujang Jilan

January 12, 2018

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (second row, second left) and his wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang  (first row, left) paying their last respects to Tan Sri Celestine Ujang Jilan. With them are Datin Elizabeth Pawa (front row, second right), her daughters, Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (second row, left) and other members of the state cabinet and dignitaries. -TheBorneoPost

Chang Kee reports for duty while Ik Pahon says goodbye

January 11, 2018

Ik Pahon (second left) hands over some notes to Hii in a symbolic handing-over of duties while Abdul Karim (right) and Lee look on. 

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports welcomed its new Permanent Secretary Hii Chang Kee yesterday replacing Datu Ik Pahon Joyik who has been appointed new permanent secretary to the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was present to witness the hand-over of duties between the two senior government officers at Baitulmakmur Building here.

Hii, formerly Sibu Resident prior to his transfer, said he was looking forward to take on the challenges in his new role.

Ministry targets 5.25m visitor arrivals this year

January 11, 2018

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports is targeting 5.25 million visitor arrivals to the state this year.

Its minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is optimistic the state will be able to reach the target, considering there are more international flights from countries such as China and Indonesia to Sarawak via Kuching starting this year.

“We have a lot of new connectivities such as daily direct flight from Shenzhen, China to Kuching where the response has been quite good and we also have the inaugural flight from Singapore to Bintulu as well as the number of AirAsia flights from Singapore to Kuching has increased from nine to 16.

Karim urged taxi operators to look at Uber and Grab holistically

January 11, 2018

KUCHING: The Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah called on taxi operators in the state to look at the operation of e-hailing services such as Uber and Grab holistically.

“The drop in business among taxi operators occurred not only to those in Sarawak and Malaysia but all over the world.

“When there is change in the system, where in this case customers can hail a cab to bring them from one place to another simply by using their smartphone, this will no doubt create issues for taxi operators,” he said, as reported by The Borneo Post, when commenting on the recent appeal made by taxi drivers to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to help them cushion the blow resulting from the operation of Uber and Grab in the state.

Sarawak mampu beri saingan pada Liga Perdana 2018: Karim

January 10, 2018

KUCHING: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah optimis skuad Sarawak mampu memberikan saingan dalam Liga Perdana 2018.

Meskipun menyedari saingan semakin kompetitif, beliau yakin dengan kemampuan pengendali baharu Sarawak FA, Ian Andrew Gillan mempunyai perancangan tersendiri mengemudi skuad Bujang Senang.

Bercakap pada sidang media mengenai Pertandingan Gusti Lengan Amal Antarabangsa Premier 101 2018 di sini semalam, beliau percaya Sarawak mampu bangkit dan memberikan saingan dalam Liga Perdana 2018.

500 armwrestlers for 3rd international championship

January 10, 2018

Abdul Karim (fourth right) receives the tournament VIP jersey from Kee (fourth left) while Snowdan (third left) and Matthew (third right) shows off the coveted sledgehammer trophies. Also seen are Teng (second left), Ong (second right) and Zil (left).

KUCHING: Armwrestling fans are in for a vein-bulging, forehead-sweating treat this Jan 19 and 20 as around 500 armwrestlers from over 20 countries compete in the 3rd International Charity Armwrestling Championship at Premier 101 Commercial Centre along Jalan Tun Jugah here next weekend.

Organised by the Sarawak Armsport Association (Sasa) and Premier 101 Community Club with support from Malaysia Armsport Association (MyArms) and Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, the annual event is expected to be a grand affair as these armwrestlers will no doubt have the audience gritting their teeth while cheering on their favourite armwrestler.

“There are going to be around 200 international armwrestlers from countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan, Russia, Kazakhastan, Vietnam, Brunei, India, Nigeria, Korea, Belarus, Indonesia, Ukraine, Turkey, Italy and the Philippines competing during the two-day event.

21 nations to vie in arm wrestling c’ship

January 10, 2018 

MINISTER of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (fourth right) receiving a T-shirt from the Organising Chairman of Premier 101 International Charity Arm Wrestling 2018, Stephen Kee (fifth left) during a press conference on the Premier 101 International Charity Arm Wrestling 2018 at Baitulmakmur in Petra Jaya, Kuching. Looking on are (from left) Deputy President of Malaysia Arm Wrestling Association, Zil Fadeli, Advisor
of Sarawak Arm Wrestling Association, Datuk Sri Tang Chilik, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, President of Sarawak Armsports Association, Matthew Dominic Barin and Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Sports Corporation, Dr Ong Kong Swee.

KUCHING: The Premier 101 Int e rnat ional Char i t y Arm Wrestling 2018 will be held on January 19 – 20, at Premier 101 Commercial Centre here. The tournament, which is the third edition since 2016, offers a total cash prizes worth RM31,300 which is the highest in Asia.

In part, it is also the biggest of its tournament in Sarawak which involved the participation of 21 countries, namely Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Australia, China, Brunei and others. 

“There will be more than 200 athletes from overseas and over 300 athletes from Malaysia to take part in this tournament and will be coming,” said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during a press conference at Baitulmakmur in Petra Jaya here yesterday.

Mampu memberi impak positif

January 10, 2018

TANDA INGATAN: Karim (tengah) menerima baju cenderamata pertandingan daripada Stephen. Turut kelihatan Snowdan, Matthew, Ong, Zil dan ahli-ahli jawatankuasa penganjur.

Penganjuran pertandingan Amal Gusti Lengan Antarabangsa lebih meriah pada masa akan datang

KUCHING: Harapan Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah agar Pertandingan Amal Gusti Lengan Antarabangsa Premier 101 2018 lebih meriah pada masa akan datang.

Beliau gembira dengan kira-kira 500 penyertaan daripada atlet luar negara dan tempatan berkata, penganjuran pertandingan bertaraf antarabangsa itu bakal memberi impak positif dari aspek pelancongan.

“Kita berharap acara tahunan ini akan bertambah lebih besar setiap tahun,” katanya pada sidang media bagi menghebahkan pertandingan tersebut di sini semalam.

Abdul Karim retains PBB Asajaya branch chief post for fifth term

January 8, 2018

Abdul Karim and other exco members in a photo call at the end of the meeting at Kota Samarahan Civic Centre.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was retained unopposed as Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Asajaya branch chief at the branch’s triennial general meeting on Saturday.

This result means the Asajaya assemblyman is now the branch chief for five consecutive terms since 2001.

The branch also has a new deputy chief in the person of political secretary to the chief minister Buang Bolhassan who defeated Oton Bujang to the post.

Suara Darul Ibadat juara zikir

Januari 08, 2018

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah dan Aidel bergambar bersama juara kumpulan zikir Suara Darul Ibadat. 

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Kumpulan zikir Suara Darul Ibadat dari Kampung Astana Lot relah dimumkan sebagai juara dalam Pertandingan Zikir di Kampung Semera malam semalam.

Suara Darul Ibadat menerima piala, sijil penyertaan dan wang tunai RM1,000.

Manakala tempat kedua dan ketiga dimenangi oleh Suara Baru Asajaya (Kampung Adajaya) dan Pewaris Seni (Kampung Semera Laut).

Karim menang tanpa bertanding

January 06, 2017

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah bersama ahli-ahli jawatankuasa yang dipilih dalam mesyuarat agung.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah telah diisytiharkan menang tanpa bertanding untuk jawatan Ketua Cawangan bagi penggal 2017-2020 dalam Mesyuarat Agung Tiga Tahun Sekali PBB Cawangan N.15 Asajaya petang tadi di Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan.

Beliau telah mengekalkan jawatan tersebut lima penggal berturut-turut sejak 2001.

Manakala Setiausaha Politik kepada Ketua Menteri Buang Bolhassan telah menewaskan Oton Bujang untuk jawatan Timbalan Ketua Cawangan.

‘Ministry mulls Sibu’s request for better air connectivity’

January 5, 2018

SIBU: The Ministry of Tourism Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports is looking into the requests of the people for better air connectivity for Sibu, with its minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday calling on the townsfolk to be patient.

Abdul Karim said there are various matters that need to be resolved in strengthening Sibu’s air connectivity.

Abdul Karim was asked to respond to Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King’s call for more direct flights to Sibu and putting an end to the monopoly of air service.