Tag: Malaysia Parliament

Wheeling Around The Corridors of Power

Parliament Building Malaysia and Tunku Abdul Rahman's statue
The Parliament Building. In the foreground is the statue of Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Photo by Wuan.

Datuk Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Deputy Finance Minister and Chairman of MCA Wanita invited the Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) for a meeting with her at the Parliament Building yesterday. The delegation headed by Christine Lee and V. Murugeswaran included Sia Siew Chin, Wong Nam Sang, Danny Tan, Fairuz, Bathmavathi Krishnan, M. Manoharan and I.

BEAT members outside the Parliament Building
BEAT members outside the Parliament Building.

The hour-long meeting was a fruitful one as we exchanged ideas with BEAT stating our stand on accessible public transport and Dr. Ng advising us on how we should pursue the matter. At the same time, we were also able to briefly meet Deputy Transport Minister Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar who agreed to meet us again to look into our grievances.

Steep ramp into the Parliament Building
The steep ramp into the lift lobby next to the Main Building of the Parliament.
Photo by Wuan.

After the meeting concluded, Senator Lee Sing Chooi invited us into the Dewan Negara to witness the proceedings. It was an honour and privilege to be in the Senate and amongst the esteemed Senators present. The most recognisable face in the room was acclaimed actor and film director Datuk Jins Samsudin who is a member of the Senate.

Road leading to the exit of the Parliament compound
The security checkpoint. View from inside the Parliament Building compound.
Photo by Wuan.

When the Senate adjourned for lunch break, YB Chew Mei Fun, Parliamentary Secretary to the Women’s, Family and Community Development Ministry invited us for lunch at the Parliament House cafeteria. It was a pity that we were not allowed to take our cameras into the building. It would have been an even more memorable event if we could record the event in images.

Deer Park next to the Parliament Building compound
The Deer Park next to the Parliament Building compound.
Photo by Wuan.

It is also ironic the Parliament that passed the Uniform Building By-Law 34A (UBBL 34A) did not see it fit to lead by example by making access into the building suitable for wheelchair users. The ramp into the lift lobby was way too steep and definitely did not follow the Malaysian standards stipulated for such facilities.

Related entry:
The Star – December 21, 2006: Disabled get mobility pledge

The Star – December 21, 2006: Disabled get mobility pledge

Parliament
Thursday December 21, 2006

Disabled get mobility pledge

BY ELIZABETH LOOI

THE Government will come up with a long-term plan to provide disabled-friendly public transportation.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, who held an hour’s meeting with representatives from seven organisations of the disabled community, said she would speak to the Transport Ministry and the main public bus concessionaire Rapid KL.

“I am not saying that there will be visible results next year, but we must have a plan,” she said.

“Disabled people must not be forgotten in the transport master plan that the ministry is drawing up now.”

Dr Ng said she had advised the representatives to write to the relevant ministries, including the Cooperatives and Entrepreneurial Development Ministry, which is in charge of commercial vehicles licensing.

She said from the meeting, she learned that the organisations had not been talking to the right people, especially policy makers.

“I understand their frustration but the Government is trying to help them, too,” she said.

Dr Ng said she was confident the Budget next year would include more provisions for the disabled.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar, who was present at the meeting, said he would forward the proposals and ideas from the representatives to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

“We will look into their plight and prepare a long-term solution for them,” he said.

Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan president V. Murugeswaran said the meeting, which was initiated by Dr Ng, was a fruitful discussion.

“We will meet among ourselves to discuss our next course of action but we are grateful that our perseverance has finally paid off,” he said.