Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
SIBU: Assistant Minister of Youth Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes that the reason behind state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen’s claim of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem practising ‘gutter politics’ is because he (Chong) is running out of issues to shout about.
“From what I can see in CM Adenan — he remains steadfast and committed in his cause and will deliver what he says.
“Things that he (Adenan) has promised, he acknowledges (all about) the difficulties on why they could not be delivered just as yet. Still, he promised to continue fighting for them.
“We can see the sincerity in him in whatever things that he advocates and has promised to do,” Abdul Karim told The Borneo Post yesterday, in response to Chong’s statement claiming that Adenan had reduced himself to ‘gutter politics’ by making baseless accusations that the opposition was belittling the state’s fight for greater autonomy.
On this, Abdul Karim — who is PBB supreme council member — remarked: “I don’t see where is the ‘gutter’ that YB Chong was accusing him (Adenan) of.
“The chief minister had promised to reduce electricity tariffs for Sarawak; now, we are enjoying the cheapest electricity in this region. He promised no more alienation of land for private oil palm (companies); so far, he has kept his words.
“He promised that he would come down hard on illegal immigrants; we do know many Suluks and illegals (foreigners) are being repatriated. He promised stern action against illegal logging — we do know that there have been many seizures of illegal logs and (illegally run) sawmills being closed down. CM Adenan promised to ensure that there would be no illegal trawlers coming to steal our fishes — now, stricter enforcement is being undertaken.”
Moreover, Abdul Karim said Adenan had promised to bring back the state’s rights that had been ‘taken away’, pointing out that there serious negotiations were ongoing with the federal side.
He also highlighted Adenan’s promise to make Sarawak a toll-free state — another successful delivery on the chief minister’s part.
On Adenan’s promise to seek oil royalty increase from Petronas and the federal government: Abdul Karim remarked: “Yes, we are negotiating and moving towards that direction.
“The chief minister also promised to make English as our second official language and it has been done. He also promised to assist the Chinese and Mission schools and this has been done. He also promised that Sarawak would recognise UEC (Unified Examination Certificate) and it’s done!
“So where is the gutter politics? What has DAP and YB Chong promised and delivered? What happened to his promise to bring a company to ‘buy and develop’ the Batu Kawah land, where he claimed had been alienated to a local company at an ‘undervalue’ (rate)?
“Where are his promises to help the interior of Sarawak under ‘Impian Sarawak’? Where is his sincerity to fight for Sarawak’s rights? Has he succeeded in any?”
Abdul Karim dismissed Chong as ‘good at making lots of noise, but unable to deliver anything’.
“It’s just unfortunate that to cover up for his inability to turn what he is barking into reality, he (Chong) has resorted to accusing our CM of practising gutter politics,” Abdul Karim said.