Asajaya rep prefers to stay but ready to give up DUS seat after 25 years if party wants new face

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By Amanda L

KUCHING, Oct 17: After 25 years representing Asajaya, Asajaya assemblyman Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says he would prefer to remain in the constituency, where he has built close ties with residents, but is prepared to step aside if the Premier and party leadership decide to make way for a younger successor.

The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information chief said his longstanding relationship with constituents had made Asajaya more than just a constituency to him, as he now regarded many of its residents as friends rather than merely voters.

“After 25 years, they have become friends. I no longer look at them as voters; I look at them as friends,” he told reporters during a press conference after officiating DayakDaily’s Sarawak Folklore Writing Competition Awards Ceremony at Imperial Hotel here today.

He said the decision on whether he would defend the seat in the coming Sarawak election rested with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the party leadership.

“If there are suggestions or views from young people to take over, I am prepared to give up. I am prepared to give up and support whoever is going to be there,” he said.

However, when asked whether he would prefer to contest in Asajaya or another constituency, he said he would choose to remain in the State Legislative Assembly (DUS) seat if given the option, citing his close relationship with the local community.

“When you are so close to somebody and then you are asked to go somewhere else, if given a choice, I would still want to be in my own area because I like the area,” he said.

Abdul Karim, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, said he was willing to accept the party’s decision on his candidacy.

He also stressed that development in Asajaya would continue regardless of whether he remained as its elected representative, as new leaders would have to take responsibility for ongoing projects and future plans.

“There is no such thing as development in Asajaya being completed,” he said, pointing to ongoing and planned projects in the wider Samarahan area, including a waterfront, a new administrative centre, a boulevard, an elevated highway and an airport.

He said development was a continuous process with new programmes and projects expected to be planned as existing initiatives progressed.

He added that the party would need to consider succession and continuity when selecting candidates, with younger leaders and women also deserving opportunities to serve. — DayakDaily

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