By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 2: After nearly 25 years in politics, Asajaya assemblyman Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says he is ready to make way for new leaders when the time comes, stressing that politicians must accept when their party decides it is time for a change.
The Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, who is serving his fifth term as the Asajaya representative, said he had previously told Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg that he felt his service in politics had already reached a sufficient milestone.
“I have been telling Abang Jo, ‘I think enough, okay, 25 years.’
“After my third term, I already told him, ‘Three terms, 15 years is enough,’” he said in his speech during the IIUM Alumni Ummatic Gathering in Sarawak held at Waterfront Hotel here today.
Abdul Karim, however, said he continued serving after being entrusted with various responsibilities, including overseeing the tourism as well as the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) portfolios.
He said his current roles had allowed him to meet many people, especially the younger generation and entrepreneurs, which has helped keep him energised.
“I’m enjoying my job, especially when being entrusted with looking after two ministries which makes me meet a lot of people, especially the younger generation in youth and sports, and makes me feel young also,” he said.
When met by reporters after the event, Abdul Karim said all elected representatives must be prepared to step aside when circumstances require it, regardless of how many terms they have served.
“Anyone who becomes an elected representative in Sarawak, whether we are serving our first term or fifth term, third term or sixth term, we must be prepared when the situation requires us to stop, we stop,” he said.
He, who is also the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information chief, further said politicians should not have the mindset of refusing to leave or deciding to contest independently if they were not selected as candidates.
“There should not be any feeling of not wanting to let go or saying, ‘if I am not selected, I will fight back’. There should not be that,” he said.
Abdul Karim said when a party believes new faces should be given the opportunity to lead, the decision must be accepted.
“As a politician, when the time for you to go comes, the party feels that new blood should be there, they have to accept that.
“I’m prepared for any eventuality, whether now or in future,” he added.
Abdul Karim first won the Asajaya seat in the 2001 Sarawak Election and has retained the constituency in subsequent elections.
He has held several ministerial portfolios in the Sarawak Cabinet, including youth and sports, tourism, and creative industry-related responsibilities. — DayakDaily
