Do more to help the disabled, says Jeanne

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Star - Metro

Do more to help the disabled, says Jeanne

THE private sector could do more to help the disabled by reserving jobs suitable for them, said Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.

The Prime Minister’s wife said the private sector should emulate the government, which had reserved one per cent of all jobs in the civil service for the disabled.Happy moment: Jeanne receiving a painting from Sharudin Omar, 36, a resident of the Lenggeng Community rehabilitation centre while Raja Salbiah (left) looks on.

She said this after launching the “One Product-One Community Rehabilitation Centre” programme at the Craft Complex in Seremban.

Also present were Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and his wife, Raja Datin Seri Salbiah Tengku Nujumuddin.

Jeanne said companies could hire and train the disabled as part of their corporate social responsibility programme.

She said several non-governmental organisations such as Bakti (the organisation of wives of ministers and deputy ministers) had organised activities to benefit special children.

She added that Bakti had also organised programmes to train teachers who handled special children. For a start, 88 teachers were sent for a programme at Universiti Utara Malaysia.

Jeanne said parents should also bring out their special children and not keep them away from society.

Earlier, Jeanne launched the “Bumi Hijau” programme at Taman Rembau Utama.

She said since the cost of living had increased, people should grow their own greens.

“Always remember that it does not cost much to grow your own greens and the benefits are immense,” she added.