Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

Summary

Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is a five-term Asajaya assemblyman under PBB (GPS) who has served in the Sarawak state cabinet since 2011, most recently as Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development. A lawyer by training, he is a senior GPS spokesperson on Sarawak autonomy, East Malaysia's federal representation, and tourism development policy. Following his loss in PBB's internal vice president contest in February 2025, he was appointed the party's publicity and information chief in May 2025.

Biography

Datuk Seri Abdul Karim bin Rahman Hamzah (born 15 May 1960) is a Malaysian politician and lawyer who has represented the Asajaya constituency in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) under Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) since 2001 [1]. A lawyer by training, he served as political secretary to the Sarawak Chief Minister before entering elected politics [2]. After winning Asajaya for a third consecutive term in the 2011 state election — defeating a PKR opponent by a majority of 4,489 votes — he was appointed Assistant Minister for Housing and Youth Development [1]. In May 2017, Premier Abang Johari elevated him to a full cabinet post as Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts; he concurrently held the portfolio of Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development [3]. In the 2021 Sarawak state election — his fifth consecutive term — he won Asajaya with 6,380 votes and a majority of 4,531 [4]. In February 2025, he lost the PBB Bumiputera wing vice presidency at the party's 16th General Assembly, placing fifth of six candidates with 669 votes [5]. He was subsequently appointed PBB's publicity and information chief in May 2025 [5]. As of mid-2026, he remains the sitting Asajaya assemblyman and a senior GPS spokesperson on Sarawak autonomy, electoral, and tourism matters.

Known for

Abdul Karim is most closely associated with Sarawak's tourism, heritage, and creative industries portfolio, overseeing programmes including the Borneo Cultures Museum and the Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home scheme since 2017. He is a consistent public voice for Sarawak's rights and equitable federal-state development, including calls for East Malaysian representation at the federal deputy prime minister level. He also serves as PBB's principal media and communications spokesperson.

Political positions

Abdul Karim has consistently advocated for Sarawak's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and for more equitable development between East and Peninsular Malaysia. He has stated publicly that East Malaysia's natural resources have underpinned peninsular development for decades, and that this contribution warrants recognition through senior federal appointments including the deputy prime minister post. On electoral matters, he has expressed support for holding the 13th Sarawak state election concurrently with the 16th General Election to reduce public expenditure, and has voiced disappointment that Parliament has yet to endorse the Sarawak DUN's approved bill to expand state assembly seats from 82 to 99. On the question of limiting the Sarawak premier's tenure, he has stated the state government has yet to take a formal position, deferring to the GPS leadership. On youth and social policy, he has emphasised political literacy for young voters and has drawn attention to Sarawak's comparatively low school dropout rates as a model for other states.

Education

1. Pre-1990sCompleted legal training; identified as a lawyer by training. Studied in Peninsular Malaysia.⛓

Before politics

1. Late 1990s – early 2000sServed as political secretary to the Sarawak Chief Minister, closely associated with senior PBB figures including Adenan Satem and Awang Tengah.⛓

Political career

1. 2001First elected to the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) for the Asajaya constituency under PBB.⛓
2. 2006Re-elected to Asajaya for a second term as state assemblyman.⛓
3. January 2008Won the PBB Youth Bumiputera wing chief post unopposed at PBB Youth elections.⛓
4. 2011Won Asajaya for a third term, defeating PKR's Arip Ameran by a majority of 4,489 votes. Subsequently appointed Assistant Minister for Housing and Youth Development.⛓
5. 7 May 2016Re-elected to Asajaya for a fourth term under BN-PBB in the 11th Sarawak state election.⛓
6. May 2017Elevated by Premier Abang Johari to full cabinet minister heading the Ministry of Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sports.⛓
7. 18 December 2021Re-elected to Asajaya for a fifth term in the 12th Sarawak state election, winning 6,380 votes with a majority of 4,531.⛓
8. February 2025Lost the PBB Bumiputera wing vice president post at the party's 16th General Assembly, placing fifth of six candidates with 669 votes.⛓
9. 18 May 2025Appointed PBB's new publicity and information chief following the party's supreme council meeting.⛓

Election history

• 2021AsajayaWon⛓
• 2016AsajayaWon⛓
• 2011AsajayaWon⛓
• 2006AsajayaWon⛓
• 2001AsajayaWon⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentAs a GPS cabinet minister and PBB information chief, Abdul Karim is an authoritative state government voice on Sarawak's tourism sector development, the Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home programme, and the state's push for greater federal recognition of Sarawak's rights and representation.⛓
• VerifiedFactsAbdul Karim has served five consecutive terms as Asajaya assemblyman since 2001, held two concurrent state ministerial portfolios (Tourism/Creative Industries; Youth/Sports/Entrepreneur Development), and lost the PBB vice president post in February 2025 before being appointed PBB information chief in May 2025. The 2021 Asajaya result (6,380 votes, majority 4,531) is confirmed by NST. The Wikidata entry incorrectly lists his party affiliation as DAP; all credible news sources consistently report PBB.⛓