When the DAP took over Penang with its allies in the Pakatan Rakyat, I had great hope that things would change for the better for disabled people in my home state where accessibility is concerned. After nine months of governing the state, it is evident that my optimism was misplaced. The picture above taken on November 24, 2008 speaks volume of my despair.

I use very simple yardsticks to determine accessibility of a particular place. First is the inclusion of usable ramps. Second is the functionality of accessible toilets. Third is the provision of accessible parking spaces. These are the basic facilities that will determine whether disabled people can perform independently outside their homes or otherwise.

The two parking spaces for disabled people were put up in 2005 when a stretch of Upper Penang Road was renovated. The many times that I drove pass the Catholic Information Centre in recent months, the two parking spaces were usually occupied by four cars – assumably neither driven by disabled people nor carrying disabled passengers as evident by the close proximity of the cars.

When a simple thing like enforcement on existing facilities is not even carried out, dare I hope that the requirements in the Uniform Building By-Law 34A (UBBL 34A) be imposed on all existing and new public buildings? The government of Penang under Pakatan Rakyat is as disappointing as when the state was under Barisan Nasional when it comes to resolving disability issues. Apa macam Lim Guan Eng?

The coughing that began last Thursday has turned into a full-blown cold. The itchy throat, runny nose, fever and persistent coughing has sapped all the energy out of me. I am going back to bed after a lunch of plain porridge with pickled lettuce.

Joo Leong Cafe, Sungai Tiram, Penang.
GPS: N5 18.160 E100 16.552
Photo by Wuan.

My trips to Penang can never be complete without a visit or two to Joo Leong Cafe at Sungai Tiram for a bowl of seafood porridge in the evenings or buttered toasts for breakfasts. The shop is located just beside the busy Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah on the way to the Penang International Airport. The airport runway is a short distance away behind the shop from which the sounds of jet engines can be distinctly heard.

Joo Leong Cafe seafood noodles.

Wuan and I had seafood porridge at the shop two Sundays ago when we were in Penang. I ordered fish maw and fish slices to go with my porridge while Wuan had the same for her instant noodles. While waiting for our orders to be served, we had buttered toasts for starters. The porridge and noodles came garnished with chopped Chinese parsley and tang chai (preserved vegetables) to make the soup even more appetizing.

Joo Leong Cafe seafood porridge.

Apart from fish maw and fish slices, diners can also select crabs, deep fried fish slices, frogs and prawns to go with porridge, instant noodles, mee suah (flour vermicelli) or bee hoon (rice vermicelli). The bill for the seafood porridge, seafood noodles, three glasses of leong fun (RM3.60) and two slices of buttered toasts (RM1.60) came to RM23.20. At RM9 per bowl for fish maw and fish slices, it was not exactly cheap but the ingredients were assuredly fresh. The only grouse we have is the lack of parking spaces and the sometimes long wait for a table. Otherwise, our trips to Joo Leong Cafe had always been pleasant experiences.