Wednesday March 28, 2007
It’s time disabled be made senator
By AUDREY EDWARDS
audee@thestar.com.myKAJANG: The time has come for a disabled person to be an appointed senator.
And Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has written a letter to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recommending it.
“Our nominees are involved in many fields. They have high qualifications and are experienced,” she told reporters after opening the National Down Syndrome seminar yesterday.
“They will be an example to Malaysians. The ministry feels the time has come to have at least one disabled person as a representative in the Dewan Negara.”
Shahrizat also said that a special counter would be opened at all district welfare offices beginning Sunday to serve people with disabilities, their family members and caregivers.
This, she said, was to make it easier for them to deal with matters such as aid, registration and equipment. The counter would be open daily during office hours.
On the access auditing being carried out by the ministry with the Housing and Local Government Ministry, Shahrizat said a report would be ready by the middle of the year.
The auditing is being done at all major towns in the country to examine the barriers in infrastructure such as buildings, roads and transportation against disabled people.
“I am not happy because I feel we have to do more. It is not difficult. It is just a question of whether to give importance to it or not,” she said.
“If we do not begin from now to make sure that all the facilities available are barrier-free, we will face trouble when we suddenly wake up and find that Malaysia is an ageing society and we are not prepared for it.”
Tag: discrimination against disabled people
The Star – December 21, 2006: Disabled get mobility pledge
Parliament
Thursday December 21, 2006BY 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.
The Star – December 5, 2006: Shahrizat: Cater to the needs of the disabled
Shahrizat: Cater to the needs of the disabled
PETALING JAYA: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has called for a “barrier-free” environment to cater to the needs of the disabled community.
She said the ministry would rigorously defend the rights of the disabled.
“The requests for more disabled-friendly public transport facilities should not be taken lightly,” she said in a statement.
“All authorities involved in the handling and provision of, among other things, public transport, recreational parks and buildings must take into account the needs of all members of society, including the disabled.
“It is time that a ‘barrier-free’ environment be realised for the benefit of the whole of society.”
Shahrizat added that the ministry held talks with the Housing and Local Government Ministry in July to discuss the efforts taken to provide access and mobility for the disabled.
She added that a joint working paper between the two ministries was submitted during the national council meeting for local government, chaired by the Prime Minister, on Sept 25.