UPDATE: After receiving protests and feedback from NGOs and disabled persons, RapidPenang has waived the requirement for medical certification and photograph of impaired anatomy for applicants of the concession card. Now, applicants only have to submit a photocopy of the card issued by the Department of Social Welfare.
When I read some of the emails that I received this morning, I got annoyed. RapidPenang is giving concession cards to senior citizens and disabled persons. This is a good move although not something that I would advocate for. Concession fare is a privilege, not a right. Nevertheless, many disabled people barely earn enough to support themselves and any measures like these are appreciated.
However, the people in RapidPenang are in dire need of education on disability. They impose ridiculous conditions on applicants. This is what RapidPenang corporate communications and creative department assistant manager Yap Lee Ying said as reported in The Star on November 24, 2007 in its Northern edition:
“Disabled applicants are to bring a copy each of their MyKad, Welfare Department card, government doctor or Health Ministry certificate, relevant association card, two passport-sized photos and a 3R photo showing the body part of their physical disability,” she said in a statement yesterday.
Is the OKU Card issued by the Department of Social Welfare not good enough? Why is there a need to inconvenience applicants by asking them to get certification from government doctors or the Health Ministry as well? That is not all! Why in heaven’s name do they need a photo showing the impaired anatomy? This is ridiculous. This is disregarding the dignity of disabled people. What? The doctor’s report is not good enough also? The OKU Card is not valid? The people in RapidPenang think the officers in the Department of Social Welfare do not know what they are doing?
Do the people in RapidPenang know what physical disability is in the first place? Can they determine that from a photograph? I am disabled from my chest down. Do I need to pose in the nude to prove it should I intend to apply for the card? Furthermore, why burden disabled people by asking them to incur extra expenditure in getting their anatomy photographed?
If RapidPenang is sincere in giving out concession fare to disabled people, they should make the process as simple as possible. An OKU Card issued by the Department of Social Welfare should be sufficient. I believe RapidPenang’s intention is to alleviate the financial burden faced by disabled people. This noble effort is spoilt by overzealous people that are not in touch with disability issues or have never met disabled persons before. Shame on you RapidPenang for degrading the dignity of disabled people.
M E T R O
North
Saturday November 24, 2007Rapid Penang concession card registration begins Monday
PENANG: Rapid Penang will distribute registration forms for special concession cards for senior citizens (aged 60 years and above) and the disabled from Monday.
Its corporate communications and creative department assistant manager Yap Lee Ying said the forms would be available at its headquarters at Lorong Kulit here from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and at its information counter in Weld Quay from 6am to 11pm daily.
“The senior citizens are required to bring two passport-sized photos and a copy of their MyKad.
“Disabled applicants are to bring a copy each of their MyKad, Welfare Department card, government doctor or Health Ministry certificate, relevant association card, two passport-sized photos and a 3R photo showing the body part of their physical disability,” she said in a statement yesterday.
A processing fee of RM2 will be charged for applications before Feb 29 while the charge is RM5 thereafter.
For details, call 04-2381313.
I’d like to show them a body part if you know what I mean!! Thats a ridiculous demand-very demeaning and condescending- I reckon you’d need to remove your brain if you’ve had a stroke to show them, then again it’ll be normal to them as they’re thinking with less then half!!
Peter:
The ignorance and stupidity of some people is simply astounding, isn’t it?
i fully agree that their requirements are ridiculous. belies logic.