KUCHING: Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he is prepared to step down from his ministerial post if necessary, following his defeat in the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-presidential race.
Acknowledging that Cabinet appointments are the prerogative of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, he said he would not make things difficult for the party leadership.
“If the delegates have already made their decision, I will not make things difficult for him.
“Probably, I will have to sit down with him and see if there is a need to look into other possibilities, including a reshuffling of the Cabinet.
“I am prepared to let go because nobody is bigger than the party, and the party has already decided,” said the Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister.
He said this to the media during the third day of the party’s 16th Triennial General Meeting at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sunday (Feb 16).
Abdul Karim fell short in his bid to retain his vice president seat in the intense six-way contest, with the new lineup now featuring two newcomers, Datuk Ibrahim Baki and Datuk Len Talif Salleh.
Despite the party election outcome, the Asajaya assemblyman maintained a positive outlook, reaffirming his respect for the democratic process within PBB.
“Well, before the contest, I already mentioned that this is a friendly, family contest. The delegates have made their decision, and I respect that.
“There must be a reason for it. Losing does not mean I will get upset. No, I am still the same,” he said.
However, he noted that he would conduct a personal reflection on the results.
“I just need to do a little post-mortem on my own—what went wrong and things like that. But that’s how the party moves,” he added.
When asked if he would contest again in the next PBB convention, which is set to take place in three to four years, Karim was non-committal.
“We’ll see how it goes at that time—whether I am still in the party or if I have stepped away from politics. It depends,” he said.
On the possibility of being appointed to a special position within the party, he reiterated that such decisions rest solely with the party president.
“If the Premier wants to appoint anyone to a certain position, we will see from there. That is not something I can predict,” he said.
