Andy the driving instructor gave me my Malaysian Learner’s Driving License (Lesen Belajar Memandu Malaysia) today. After that we went on the public road for the first time learning one of the three test routes. The journey was harrowing as well as thrilling. It has been more than twenty two years since I last drove a car. The earliest date that I can sit for the Ujian Memandu Bahagian II and Bahagian III is May 7. Wuan is unable to take leave from work on the first half of the month. Therefore the test has to be postponed to the later part of next month.

Reallybites dislocated her knee, of all places, in her college’s toilet just now. Poor girl. Get well soon buddy!

RapidPenang Ignores The Transportation Needs Of Disabled Persons

The report that RapidPenang will not be bringing in buses accessible to wheelchairs is disappointing news (The Star - April 4, 2006: Courtesy classes for Penang bus drivers). The statement by Datuk Dr. Teng Hock Nan is a step backward for Malaysia in respecting the rights of disabled persons in the area of transportation and mobility.

The statement that wheelchair users need special buses is not only incorrect but misleading as well. In the Asia-Pacific accessible buses are already widely used in Japan and Australia to serve not only wheelchair users but the general public. These non-step buses are also convenient for senior citizens, pregnant women and adults with prams as the floor of the buses are flushed with the height of the bus stops.

Dr. Teng’s statement is also in contradiction to Minister of Transport Dato’ Seri Chan Kong Choy’s announcement that the transport needs and interests of disabled persons will be included in the Public Transport Master Plan (NST - March 13, 2007: Master plan to help disabled move about). Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop was also reported to have announced that the buses will be disabled-friendly (The Star - Getting feedback on RapidPenang, March 19, 2007).

In meetings with officials from Rapid KL, representatives from the Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) have been asked to be patient and told that things cannot change overnight. BEAT was also reassured that all buses acquired by Rapid KL in the future will be accessible to disabled persons, especially to wheelchair users. BEAT is a coalition of 16 NGOs of disabled persons.

During BEAT’s latest dialogue with Rapid KL in March, Chief Operating Officer Mohd. Ali Mohd. Nor said that RapidPenang will acquire 120 accessible buses. Now we hear that such buses will not be brought in. After this about turn, disabled persons will find it extremely difficult to believe that the government is really serious and sincere in addressing our transportation needs. While we accept that things cannot change overnight, we are aghast that things are not moving forward but backward instead.

This is another apparent instance of intentionally marginalising disabled persons from mainstream society. Our needs should not be seen as separate and different from non-disabled persons. We have every right to use public transport as everyone else. We have been excluded from society for far too long. Mobility is an urgent need of disabled persons, especially wheelchair users. Without accessible public transport, we are left out from educational and employment opportunities. We are also unable to participate meaningfully in social, cultural, religious and political activities because of the inability to move around conveniently.

On behalf of my peers, I appeal to Rapid Penang, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad and the Ministry of Finance to reconsider the decision to not acquire accessible buses. Such buses will benefit everyone. Do not make the same mistake that Rapid KL made in disregarding the needs of disabled persons. There should be no excuse now especially when the government is already made aware of such needs and have promised to solve it. Apa macam Malaysia?

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N E W S

North
Monday March 19, 2007

Getting feedback on RapidPenang

By V. CHANDRASEKARAN

PENANG will set up a public transportation advisory panel soon to assess and gather feedback on RapidPenang and the proposed monorail system.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the panel would comprise representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the state government.

“The state will brief the panel, starting off with RapidPenang. We want the system to fulfil the people’s needs,” he said.

The state would provide concessions to senior citizens, students and the disabled, he told reporters after attending a meeting with Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop here yesterday.

RapidPenang, expected to start operations in August, is a subsidiary of RapidKL that is owned by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd.

Nor Mohamed said 80 buses would ply the main roads while 40 would serve feeder roads and 30 would provide services in villages.

The buses would be disabled-friendly, he said, adding that 267 workers would be employed and the fare affordable.

The existing bus companies would continue to carry on as usual, he said.

He said the new public transport system would cost R51mil – RM31mil to buy buses while the rest as working capital for five years.

He said two RapidKL buses were now in Penang to test out the routes.

Citizens for Public Transport (Cepat) coordinator Dr Choong Sim Poey said Cepat had been pressing for the setting up of an advisory panel to voice out views and complaints from the public over the public transportation system.

“I am glad the state has responded positively. We will see whether we are invited,” he said.

North
Wednesday April 4, 2007

Courtesy classes for Penang bus drivers

He said the drivers would also be trained to be considerate and res-ponsible.

This was because many com-plaints had been received about drivers who were reckless, rude and rough to passengers, he said.

“We have also advised RapidPe-nang to be cautious when hiring bus drivers,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

RapidPenang acting chief executive officer Douglas David said about 200 bus drivers would be recruited for the service which would be starting in August.

Dr Teng also said the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) was expected to approve the routes and fare structure for RapidPenang buses by end of the month.

Working together:(From left)Penanti assemblyman Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid,Dr Teng,Datuk Keramat assemblyman Ong Thean Lye and David looking at some documents on the new bus system.

He said the state was working very closely with RapidPenang to finalise details of the routes.

“We are also working out the fare structure including day and monthly passes, passes for students, senior citizens and the disabled,” he said.

Dr Teng said the state had ordered 150 low-floor buses from China for the bus service.

“For the time being, we will not be having special buses for the disabled who use wheelchairs,” he said.

This is one of the most difficult decisions that I have to make yet. On one part, my heart is reluctant to let go. On the other, a whole new world beckons. It is a tug of war where I will lose even if I win. A decision has to be made nonetheless. The inevitable has to happen one day anyway. I have given this a lot of thought. That one day has arrived. I have decided. The wisdom that I learnt a long time ago tipped the uneasy balance. A wise man once said that if one holds on too tightly to the past, he may not be able to grab hold of the future. It is with great sadness I am setting the past free. At the same time, I am grabbing the future with great anticipation. This is truly a bittersweet moment. My heart aches. Yet it is filled with excitement. Good bye Penang. Hello Kuala Lumpur! The journey continues.