Do Not Afraid To Face Our Difficulties

Winning Recipe For Charity

Saturday April 19, 2008
The Star - Metro

Cakes created by celebrities raise RM100,000 for five organisations
By CHOONG MEK ZHIN

THE celebrities whose cake creations were selected in the Celebrity Cookout Charity Initiative reality television programme last year have raised RM100,000 in total for five good causes from the sale of their delectable confections at Secret Recipe outlets.

A chocolate and strawberry treat created by Amber Chia and Carmen Soo that they named “Tender Loving Care” raised the most funds – RM30,000 – for the duo’s chosen charity, The Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC).

“Both Amber and I are independent women and we thought, what if one day something were to happen to us and we became helpless?

“So we figured it would be nice if we could help the ILTC as these people, though disabled, are trying hard to be independent,” Soo said at the cheque-presentation ceremony.
ILTC president Francis Siva exp-ressed gratitude to the two celebrities for doing their best for a noble cause.

“We are dedicated to training residents to be responsible, useful and productive despite their disabilities. It's not easy, but this money will go a long way towards funding the construction of a new centre that we can call our own,” he said, adding that the rented premises that the centre was occupying housed 158 residents aged between 18 and 55.

Winning creation: Chia (left) and Soo putting the finishing touches to their cake during the Celebrity Cookout.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Mini-ster Noriah Kasnon handed over the mock cheques to representatives of the charities.

“Charity projects such as this showcase the business community's caring and sharing spirit, which is in line with the ministry's vision of creating a caring and developed society.

“This charity initiative has set the platform for other organisations to follow suit,” Noriah said.

She added that the proceeds of the charity drive would lessen the burden of the organisations, especially in view of the rising cost of medication and cost of living in general.

Secret Recipe Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Steven Sim felt the project had been an enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

“It is heart warming to see this project being pieced together from scratch.

“We also hope that our customers are now more aware of the five selected charity organisations as our outlets had carried pamphlets on them when we sold the cakes between October and December last year,” Sim said, adding that for each cake sold, RM10 was channelled to the charity fund.

The other cakes were the Brownies Cream Cheese created by Hannah Tan that raised RM20,000, Spirulina Pineapple by Eja and Vanidah that raised RM16,000, the Orange Caramel by Ashraf and Aishah Sinclair that raised RM17,000 and the Chocolate Treats by Sheila Rusly and her son Haq that also raised RM17,000.

The charities that benefited were World Vision that works with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice; Prihatin, which provides support and shelter to single mothers and children infected with HIV/AIDS; Yayasan Anak Warisan Alam, whose mission is to spread the environmental message to educate the young on nature and heritage through conservation projects, and Persatuan Anak-Anak Yatim dan Ibu Tunggal.

Majlis Karnival Sukan Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) 2008

Majlis Karnival Sukan Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) 2008
Pada 12hb & 13hb April 2008 ahli ahli Badan Latihan & Hidup Berdikari (ILTC) telah menghadiri Majlis Karnival Sukan Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) 2008 di Stadium Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya yang di mana Majlis Penutup dirasmikan oleh Y.Bhg.Dato' Hj. Mohamad Roslan B Sakiman. (Datuk Bandar, MBPJ)


Semua ahli ILTC yang mengambil bahagian dalam perbagai sukan OKU ini merasa begitu gembira dan mengucapkan ribuan terima kasih kepada penganjur dan penaja sukan ini.

Ahli Jawatan Kuasa ILTC juga mengucapkan ribuan terima kasih dengan mengharapkan pihak penganjur akan membaiki mutu dan mengnaikkan taraf karival sukan tersebut pada tahun akan datang dan memberi peluang kepada ahli ahli ILTC.

Secret Recipe - Cheque Presentation Ceremony

Friday, 18th April 2008

CELEBRITY COOKOUT - A CHARITY CAMPAIGN INITIATIVE

Secret Recipe cordially invited President & Secretary from ILTC for the Presentation Ceremony for the awarding of proceeds from the Celebrity Cookout Charity Campaign.

The Ceremony witnessed by our Guest of Honour Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development YB. Noriah Kasnon.


On behalf of ILTC, we take an opportunity to thanks YB. Dato' Steven Sim - CEO of Secret Recipe Cakes & Cafe Sdn Bhd.

We also would like to say a special thanks to Ms. Carmen Soo & Amber Chia whereby it's a noble cause been raised RM30,000.00 from the Celebrity Cookout a Charity Campaign.
ILTC Committee's decided to channel this fund towards ILTC Building Fund and we targeting our new building foundation will start with grace of lovely donors by begining of next year.

RECENTLY DISABLED PERSONS WENT TO THE SKIES

Thursday, April 17, 2008

On April 12, 2008: Close to 150 people gathered at Astaka Field in Petaling Jaya for a ride of their lives.

Person's with Parkinson's disease, their caregivers, volunteers and friends attended a half-day morning activity where a hot air balloon ride was the major attraction.

Despite their fears over heights and their "frozen bodies", they got into the balloon which launched them a hundred and twenty feet into the air for about ten minutes each time before returning them safely on the ground again.

The nifty idea came from the Malaysian Parkinson's Disease Association in Kuala Lumpur which also organised the event to coincide with World Parkinson's Day celebration on April 11.

PETPOSITIVE President Anthony Thanasayan was invited ILTC members as guest at the occasion.

POSITIVE COMMENTS FROM PKR'S RODZIAH ISMAIL ON THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY IN MALAYSIAKINI

Thursday, April 17, 2008
From Malaysiakini:

Fancy watching a Chinese opera in Malay?

According to Rodziah Ismail, the exco member for welfare, women affairs and science, technology and innovation (STI) and culture in Selangor, this may just be possible.In an interview, the Batu Tiga state representative and Wanita PKR deputy chief talked about her fondness for multi-racialism, aspirations for more scientists in the state and plans for the Orang Asli in Selangor.

Can you tell us more about your portfolio?

I’m handling welfare, women affairs and science, technology and innovation, plus culture. For welfare we will take care of senior citizens and disabled people and provide assistance for those who fall below the poverty line. We’ll go through them one by one.

We found out that the previous government only dealt with welfare problems on a case-by-case basis when people come to the office to see them. We want to look into the state of welfare for Selangor as a whole but there is no database on this, no figures as to how much money has been given to the disabled and elderly.

Under the new state government, I want to make sure that all who are qualified to receive welfare will be included in a database and we’ll plan for them - how we will manage the disabled, senior citizens and the poor. Our long-term plan is to make sure these less fortunate people have an action plan so they can one day work or build a new life and improve their economic situation without needing the help from the state.

This is similar to women’s affairs. Before this, the previous government was reactive and dealt with problems as they came in. When single mothers came in, they would assist. What we’re planning for the women is two-fold: to empower women and to ‘balance’ the problems faced by women in rural and urban areas.

In the urban areas, the women are very sophisticated, IT-literate and economically sound but (face social) problems. Women in rural areas have fewer social problems but they have more economic or IT-based difficulties. So we have to narrow this gap.

On empowering women, we want them to know their rights and be more competitive. We want to give the women a bigger role. Previously there was no effort to understand gender problems or issues faced by working women. There weren’t any plans to encourage rural women to get involved with agribusiness. So we want to empower women in business, social life and other (areas).

We have problems with STI too. STI in Selangor is actually very broad but people are often confused, thinking its all about science and ICTs (information and communication technologies). No, it is not just about ICT or multimedia, it is much wider than that. Looking at rapidly developing countries, we can see that the growth of technology is very fast.

There are many technologies that we need to consider now like green technology...We need to guarantee that the technology that we implement and give to the people is sustainable. The technology must benefit the people.

I also have an addition to my portfolio - culture. People often think culture is dancing only but for me culture is also about history. Our challenge for the new state government is to make culture the bridge between the races. We have an action plan to set up exhibitions on a multi-racial platform.

Whatever I do for this culture portfolio, I will always focus on our multi-racial setting. Malaysia is not just about Malay heritage because if you look at the history, what unites us is our shared culture. For example in Malacca, the people who fought there were not just the Malays but the Chinese and Indian traders. They were together in fighting for their rights. We’ve had this in the past so it’s not something new.

I noticed that 90 percent of cultural events in the state are Malay-based. But if you look at the strata in Selangor, there are 55 percent Malays and 45 per cent non-Malays. The balance must be there. We can’t just focus on one section of the society. I will definitely mix the cultures when it comes to cultural and historical museums and I want it to be lively like museums overseas. I don’t want sad museums where people cannot relate to the presentation. Abroad, people love to visit museums. This means I will put the STI knowledge I have there to give visitors an experience they will never forget.

An idea for a cultural theatre has been proposed and I’ve talked to a few Chinese artistes and we think it is not a problem to make Chinese opera in Malay, for us to go there and understand what its all about. That’s why we don’t want our history to be forgotten. History is not just the past but the present because what we do now will make history in the future.

Do you see the stark contrast between your portfolios as a challenge in executing your work?

It’s manageable but the challenge is with STI because it does not deal with human errors. My department on welfare and women affairs deals with human problems but STI (involves) how the state is going to use and implement STI for society.

This portfolio is also not just about me but all the people surrounding me and using available resources, which I will have to tap. I will set up a think-tank, discuss the issues and get in all the experts. My challenges are so broad that I told my officer that my tasks will cover the ground right to the sky. (Laughs)

On the issue of innovation, we want to promote it well. In Singapore, if somebody says his or her ambition is to be a scientist, the government will support them. Scientists are very unique people. For them, it’s not like being a doctor or an engineer because a scientist’s mind works in amazing ways.

So why doesn’t this happen in Malaysia? It’s because when a person creates something, it is not promoted or patented. So now we want to patent creations and adopt the designs to develop the innovation industry. The state hopes to provide support to inventors within the ambit of sustainable technology.

When do you plan to set up the database for your welfare department?

The (current) database is not comprehensive and only has the number of those who actively seek help. So I am asking my officers to go to the ground and conduct a thorough census in the state.I am gathering the information currently, liaising with the welfare department and its branches to get some data. My master plan for all my portfolios will hopefully be reached within the next two months.

Will you also look into the plight of the Orang Asli?

Yes, we have them in mind. I’m also considering them in my culture portfolio. I have a team now to find out where the Orang Asli live and understand why they remain so poor.
There must be a reason why they choose to stay where they are based on their culture and heritage but that doesn’t mean we should allow them to remain poor.We can help modernise their lives while recognising their rights. I have planned to look into this and discuss the issues with their representatives.

What are your views about the Selangor having four women excos including yourself?

I feel good about this because this is equivalent to 40 percent when the world average is 30 percent. Looking back, there are four women because of their performance, background and credibility. I think if we qualify to serve in our respective departments, it does not matter if we’re men or women.But our challenge is proving that we’re better. We don’t want the four seats being held by women in the exco to be seen as any form of tokenism. We will perform and do our best for the people.

Airasia Provides Ambulift Facility For Disabled Passengers

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Airasia Provides Ambulift Facility For Disabled Passengers

SEPANG, April 12 (Bernama) -- To provide accessibility for disabled passengers, AirAsia Bhd has placed an ambulift at the low cost carrier terminal (LCCT) here and another in Kota Kinabalu.

Group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes said Saturday the facility will provide better mobility and comfort for the airline's disabled passengers.

Previously, disabled passengers were physically carried by AirAsia's ground staff to board the aircraft, Fernandes told reporters after the launch of the facility at the LCCT here.
According to him, installation of the facility at the two airports cost RM1.3 million, including training for the staff.

The airline is discussing with the Kuching Airport authority to place an ambulift there.

It is also looking at placing ambulifts in other airports such as Penang, Jakarta and Bangkok.
Up to four disabled passengers are allowed on a flight, and two of them can be quadriplegics.

AirAsia, said Fernandes, is in talks with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd to provide free aerobridge use for disabled passengers at airports that do not have ambulifts.-- BERNAMA

Ministry, UN Programme To Tackle Challenges Faced By The Disabled

Thursday, April 17, 2008

BERNAMA - General
April 10, 2008

Ministry, UN Programme To Tackle Challenges Faced By The Disabled

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Bernama) - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), together with Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will embark on several landmark initiatives to tackle challenges faced by people with disabilities.

According to a UNDP statement, a pilot project each in Johor and Penang would look at reducing barriers faced by the disabled, in finding employment and accessing public transportation.

It said the projects were expected to be officially launched in the first half of the year.

On April 8, Malaysia became a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a treaty that upholds and safeguards the rights of people with disabilities to be independent and live with dignity and respect.

According to statistics, the disabled in Malaysia remain disproportionately uneducated, untrained, unemployed and poor.

The statement said there were currently 197,519 disabled people registered with the Social Welfare Department.-- BERNAMA

UN Convention on theRights of Persons with Disabilities

A Blog By Mindful Mariner On Latest Update On Disabled Rights Convention

EQUAL RIGHTS

FOR THE DISABLED ARE

A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT

Last Thursday, 10th April 2008, it was reported that Malaysia had finally signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

The signing was witnessed by Annebeth Rosenboom, chief of the treaty section at the UN's Office of Legal Affairs, the Malaysian Consular officer at New York Raja Nurshirwan Zainal Abidin, and Malaysia's National Population and Family Development director Aminah Abdul Rahman.

The Convention demands the disabled are equally given all human rights and ensures full and effective participation as well as total inclusion in society, on an equal basis.

The eight general principles of the Convention are:

1. Respect for inherent dignity and individual autonomy;
2. Non-discrimination;
3. Full and effective participation and inclusion in society;
4. Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity;
5. Equality of opportunity;
6. Accessibility;
7. Gender equality and respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities; and
8. Respect for the rights of children with disabilities to develop and preserve their identities.

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol was adopted on 13th December 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and was opened for signature on 30 March 2007.

There were initially 82 signatories to the Convention, 44 signatories to the Optional Protocol, and 1 ratification of the Convention, this is the highest number of signatories in history to a UN Convention on its opening day.

It is the first comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21st century and is the first human rights convention to be open for signature by regional integration organisations.

The Convention marks a "paradigm shift" in attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities.

It takes to a new height the movement from viewing persons with disabilities as "objects" of charity, medical treatment and social protection towards viewing persons with disabilities as "subjects" with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free, and informed consent as well as being active members of society.

The Convention is intended as a human rights instrument with an explicit, social development dimension. It adopts a broad categorization of persons with disabilities and reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

It clarifies and qualifies how all categories of rights apply to persons with disabilities and identifies areas where adaptations have to be made for persons with disabilities to effectively exercise their rights and areas where their rights have been violated, and where protection of rights must be reinforced.

The Convention was negotiated during eight sessions of an Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly from 2002 to 2006, making it the fastest negotiated human rights treaty.

To date there have been:-

· 127 signatories to the Convention (including Malaysia)

· 71 signatories to the Optional Protocol

· 20 ratifications of the Convention

· 13 ratifications of the Optional Protocol

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities received its 20th ratification on 3rd April 2008, triggering the entry into force of the Convention and its Optional Protocol 30 days later. This marks a major milestone in the effort to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

The Convention will enter into force on the thirtieth day after the 20th ratification or accession. The Optional Protocol will enter into force on the thirtieth day after the 10th ratification or accession.

The Secretary General will convene the first meeting of the Conference of States Parties no later than six months after the entry into force of the Convention, which will elect members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

This Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities shall be established at the time of entry into force of the Convention, and shall consist of twelve experts. After an additional sixty ratifications or accessions to the Convention, the membership of the Committee shall increase to a maximum number of eighteen members.

Malaysia has thus far only signed the Convention, this is heartening but half hearted, as Malaysia has not ratified it, nor has it signed the Protocol

• Malaysia signed the convention: 8th April 2008
• MALAYSIA HAS NOT RATIFIED THE CONVENTION
• MALAYSIA HAS NOT SIGNED THE PROTOCOL

Merely signing the Convention is not good enough, Malaysia, if it is serious and sincere about ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are protected,

(this means that there must be zero discrimination, respect for their dignity and autonomy, universal accessibility, equal opportunity, full inclusion and effective participation, gender quality, respect for the rights of children with disabilities, and the full compliance of all aspects of the Convention and the Protocol),

should also ratify the Convention, sign the Protocol and then ratify the Protocol, only then will the rights of persons with disabilities in Malaysia be able to be fully upheld.

Anything less is totally unacceptable, it demeans and disrespects each and every one of the disabled citizens of Malaysia.

Quit dedit benificium taceat; narret qui accepit - Let him who has done a good deed be silent; let him who has received it tell it.