Friday, September 19, 2008
NEWSFLASH:
Dear Folks,
LATEST UP DATE
Regarding Sia Siew Chin & Defamation Against ILTC..........
Last 16th September 2008 at 11.00am upon the invitation for the meeting by Dr. Herman Shastri from Council Church of Malaysia had a face to face meeting with Pastor Sia Siew Chin and Edward Lee of Beautiful Gate. She also brought her laywer with her.
The meeting was coordinated by Dr. Herman Shastri very professionally over the above matter concerning.
He was very kind to us and gave us ample time to brief the issue which we brought forward and looking for Justice.......
At the end of the meeting, he had request Pastor Sia to submit all the relevant document as soon as possible for clarification.
ILTC also take this opportunity to thanks Rev. Bishop Hwa Yung (The Methodist Church in Malaysia) for kindly make this arrangement successfully.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT. WE AWAIT FOR THEIR REPLY SOON......
MR. G. FRANCIS SIVA
PRESIDENT OF ILTC
NEW MINISTER FOR WELFARE MINISTER OF MALAYSIA
Badan Latihan dan Hidup Berdikari Malaysia (ILTC) pada 23hb Mac 2016 menyerahkan memorandum kepada ahli-ahli parlimen mendesak supaya golongan orang kurang upaya (OKU) dikecualikan daripada cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST).
Disabled Members Protest
Disabled Members Protest at JPJ Wangsa Maju
ILTC Malaysia members staged a protest outside JPJ Wangsamaju KL.
Disabled group’s protest disabled drivers required to produce doc's medical report.
Friday, 19 September 2008
Welcome news
Friday, September 19, 2008
The Star - Lifestyle - Wheel Power
Thursday September 18, 2008
Welcome news
WHEEL POWER WITH ANTHONY THANASAYAN
Something to look forward to for the disabled.
PEOPLE with disabilities living in Selangor have been receiving some really good news recently. First, there was the announcement last month by the Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya that as many as 150 disabled car parking lots are being introduced by the council and will be ready for use by Christmas.
Now there is more good news. This time from Subang Jaya.
It was reported last week that handicapped residents in the area who drive are encouraged to apply for free parking stickers from the local council.
The stickers will, according to Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh, enable the disabled to park their cars at public parking lots that are managed by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).
The Star - Lifestyle - Wheel Power
Thursday September 18, 2008
Welcome news
WHEEL POWER WITH ANTHONY THANASAYAN
Something to look forward to for the disabled.
PEOPLE with disabilities living in Selangor have been receiving some really good news recently. First, there was the announcement last month by the Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya that as many as 150 disabled car parking lots are being introduced by the council and will be ready for use by Christmas.
Now there is more good news. This time from Subang Jaya.
It was reported last week that handicapped residents in the area who drive are encouraged to apply for free parking stickers from the local council.
The stickers will, according to Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh, enable the disabled to park their cars at public parking lots that are managed by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).
It will take a lot more education before we can expect drivers to show more consideration for the needs of the handicapped.
Parking, according to the report, will be free for the handicapped to save them the inconvenience of paying at the parking meters. Here is another shining example of a local council that is willing to go the extra mile in understanding our problems.
We, as handicapped Malaysians, only ask for a chance to live like other non-disabled citizens. It is not often that we come across local councils that show such interest in helping the disabled.
Few of us can forget the shocking incident in 2006 when a woman driver in a wheelchair in Klang was slapped with a warrant of arrest for not settling her parking dues. She couldn’t because the parking metres were simply too high for her reach.
That episode thankfully ended on a positive note – the warrant was rescinded.
The Majlis Perbandaran Klang also showed their sincerity over the error. They went on to introduce scores of disabled-friendly car parks in their town. These are also available free to disabled drivers.
The waivers should be given in view of the fact that our infrastructure had not included the needs of the disabled community in the original blueprint. This is why many disabled Malaysians are unable to study in normal schools, find jobs and live a normal life.
So offering free services like these can be considered as society’s “payback time” for the handicapped whom we have disabled by our unwitting neglect.
And one day when full, equal participation by the disabled is finally realised, they will be able to pay for the services themselves.
That is, when all unjust barriers are done away with and the disabled enjoy equal job opportunities, and are in a financial position to take care of themselves.
Until then, it would have to be the local council’s responsibility to look into the needs of its disabled citizens.
All private outfits and shopping complexes should also use this understanding to provide free parking for the disabled as part of their corporate social responsibility.
This would be in line with steps taken by the Federal Government to offer free medical treatment and free passports, to name a few, for the handicapped.
Back to the MBSJ, there are several issues that need to be looked into to make the disabled car parking project a success.
The parking stickers need to include caregivers and volunteers who transport the handicapped and not just disabled drivers alone.
Special designated lots for the handicapped is a must. It is not practical to expect the disabled to park in available lots because there really won’t be any.
And let us not expect other drivers to give up their parking lots for the less fortunate. It will take a lot more education in the future before we can expect our denizens to give way to the less able among us.
Meanwhile, as for the disabled woman who was slapped with a summons, well, she is Gurdip aka Rina Kaur who is now councillor for Majlis Perbandaran Selayang.
The last I heard was that she is working hard to improve facilities for the disabled in her area.
Indeed, good and great things are happening for the disabled community.
Friday, September 19, 2008
NST - Streets
Rina's sign of disapproval
K. Harinderan
Selayang councillor Gurdip Kaur @ Rina Pritam Singh (second left) directing enforcement officers to tear down posters in Rawang. — Picture by P.C. Lim
NST - Streets
Rina's sign of disapproval
K. Harinderan
Selayang councillor Gurdip Kaur @ Rina Pritam Singh (second left) directing enforcement officers to tear down posters in Rawang. — Picture by P.C. Lim SELAYANG: What a moving moment. A wheelchair-bound woman councillor led a team of enforcement officers in a war against illegal signboards here recently.
Gurdip Kaur @ Rina Pritam Singh, a councillor with Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), has started a crackdown on business operators who put up signboards without the council's approvalOver 50 signboards, banners and buntings in Rawang were torn down by 15 enforcement officers during the operation.
"The issue of the many illegal signs around Rawang was discussed at a recent council meeting.
It was decided that those without the required permits and those that did not renew their yearly permits, would have their signs removed," said Gurdip, who is a member of the Town Services, Traffic and Tourism sub-committee.
She added that the signs were also an eyesore and were posing a danger to road users and students of four schools in the area.
"Only last week, a bunting fell on a moving car, covering the driver's view. He could have hit oncoming traffic, or worse, knocked down school children," she said.
Gurdip said errant businesses operators would be fined by the council She said the authorities will regularly monitor and remove illegal signs in 12 commercial and residential areas, including Rawang Tin, Taman Kota Emerald and Bandar Country Homes.
The operation commenced on Sept 8, with notices placed on illegal signs, instructing business owners to remove them, or apply for permits, within three days.
"But few of them heeded the order. So, under Section 5 of Selayang Municipal by-laws, we removed these signs," said Megat Ainun Fadzlil, the MPS deputy enforcement chief for Rawang Zone One and Two,"We will continue to conduct frequent checks on the relevant areas.
"Since last month, 22 billboards were pulled down as the owners did not renew their permits with the council," he added.
RM100 Monthly Aid For Each Child Below 18 For Poor Families
Friday, September 19, 2008
BERNAMA.COM
main
RM100 Monthly Aid For Each Child Below 18 For Poor Families
By: Ramjit
TAWAU (Malaysia), Sept 15 (Bernama)
Poor families with children aged 18 and below, are eligible to apply for monthly aid of RM100 for each child from the Social Welfare Department.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said however, the amount was limited to a maximum of RM450 for each family as provided for in Budget 2009.
"The amount cannot exceed RM450. Let's say a family has five children below the aged of 18, we will only give them RM450 monthly," she told reporters after visiting several old folks homes here Sunday.
She hoped community leaders would begin identifying eligible families in their constituencies and inform the ministry's agencies as soon as possible because the approval process would take at least two months.
Meanwhile, Dr Ng said that under the Budget, the ministry had also allocated RM300 as monthly aid for childless senior citizens aged 60 and above.
She said the disabled who earned less than RM1,200 monthly were also eligible to apply for RM300 monthly aid under the OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya or the disabled) Working Aid Scheme.
"If they earn less than RM1,200 monthly, they can apply for the aid and we will give them RM300 monthly. We want to encourage the OKU to work as hard as others and be independent."
This is productive welfare. If you do not work, I will not give even a single sen to you," she said.
Dr Ng said a family earning less than RM3,000 but had a disabled member who needed constant care could also apply for OKU care aid.
She said under the scheme, the family would be given RM300 monthly but it could not utilise the money to hire a foreign helper.
BERNAMA
BERNAMA.COM
main
RM100 Monthly Aid For Each Child Below 18 For Poor Families
By: Ramjit
TAWAU (Malaysia), Sept 15 (Bernama)
Poor families with children aged 18 and below, are eligible to apply for monthly aid of RM100 for each child from the Social Welfare Department.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said however, the amount was limited to a maximum of RM450 for each family as provided for in Budget 2009.
"The amount cannot exceed RM450. Let's say a family has five children below the aged of 18, we will only give them RM450 monthly," she told reporters after visiting several old folks homes here Sunday.
She hoped community leaders would begin identifying eligible families in their constituencies and inform the ministry's agencies as soon as possible because the approval process would take at least two months.
Meanwhile, Dr Ng said that under the Budget, the ministry had also allocated RM300 as monthly aid for childless senior citizens aged 60 and above.
She said the disabled who earned less than RM1,200 monthly were also eligible to apply for RM300 monthly aid under the OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya or the disabled) Working Aid Scheme.
"If they earn less than RM1,200 monthly, they can apply for the aid and we will give them RM300 monthly. We want to encourage the OKU to work as hard as others and be independent."
This is productive welfare. If you do not work, I will not give even a single sen to you," she said.
Dr Ng said a family earning less than RM3,000 but had a disabled member who needed constant care could also apply for OKU care aid.
She said under the scheme, the family would be given RM300 monthly but it could not utilise the money to hire a foreign helper.
BERNAMA
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Rina's 'wheel-power' to inspire
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
NSTP
Rina's 'wheel-power' to inspire.
Q & A with GURDIP KAUR @ RINA PRITAM SINGH
Date of birth: Dec 11, 1961
Place of birth: George Town, Penang
Occupation: Selayang Municipal Council member, Independent Living and Training Centre secretary, volunteer at Sungai Buloh Hospital
Family: Married with one daughter
Hobbies: Listening to sentimental music from the 60s and 70s, outdoor excursions and spending time with her grandchild.
SELAYANG: It is common for one to blame adversities in life to circumstances.
But for the wheelchair-bound Gurdip Kaur @ Rina Pritam Singh, it was when life came crashing down on her that she found strength to help others and be a role model.
Gurdip, 47, or known to many as Rina, suffered an accident in 1993 which left her paralysed from the waist down. She had fallen down a flight of stairs at the apartment block where she lived.
She was married, had a daughter and was a nurse in a clinic owned by the late Dr Joe Fernandez at her hometown in Butterworth.
Rina said: "I became isolated and constantly worried about my family. 'What's going to happen to my child and how am I to live?' I kept asking myself."
To make matters worse, her husband filed for a divorce as he thought she was a burden.
Rina then moved to Kuala Lumpur for treatment and lived with her eldest sister, Jagjit Kaur, who was a pillar of strength and who trained her to be independent.
On an outing to a shopping complex, she met a couple who persuaded her to join an organisation for the disabled. It was during the first meeting that she met many who shared her plight of being called disabled.
"At that moment I knew my calling in life, it was to be a vocal advocate for the rights of the disabled and the betterment of life for all, " she said.
She then met Francis Siva, whom she married. Both shared a similar plight in life (he is also paralysed) and a common cause -- to improve the quality of life of the disabled.
Rina and Siva formed the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in 1999 in Rawang to help the disabled in rural areas.
They organised a charity show that year which raised RM25,000 and started a home where 12 handicapped persons live and earn a living today.
Rina stands as a beacon of hope for the disabled as she has been appointed a Selayang Municipal Council member. She began her appointment by raising the issue of lack of public facilities for the disabled.
Q: Tell us about your early education?
A: My primary schooling was at Convent Light Street in Penang and secondary was SM Seri Mutiara in Ayer Itam.
Q: What motivated you to be independent and become a vocal advocate for the disabled?
A: It was my sister who stood by me and changed me life. She taught me how to use a wheelchair and live life without relying on others. I went through hard times but I have no regrets today. I am blessed with a daughter who is 25, married and living in Old Klang road. It was when I met Francis Siva and when we formed ILTC that we started to take on the challenge of speaking for the disabled and trying to make public spaces disabled friendly. My belief is that there are no obstacles in life but only challenges. We will fight for better amenities and accessibility to improve the quality of life for disabled persons.
Q: What is the main focus of the Independent Living and Training Centre?
A: ILTC focuses on improving the quality of life for the disabled and creating awareness on how they can be independent to lead what society calls a normal life. We have 12 stay-ins who sell greeting cards, handcrafts and pens in and around Rawang daily and they are paid for their work. Some private companies give us simple processes to complete and pay us for it. We conduct training classes on how to live with disability. We teach them to be trustworthy and responsible citizens and also help them obtain medical treatment.
Q: As a council member, what are the main issues that you feel need to be improved in Rawang?
A: I want to ensure the Rawang new town is disabled-friendly and urge the council not to give Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CF) to shopping malls, shops and other public places if they are not equipped with facilities for the disabled and the elderly.
In Rawang, there are no public toilets for the disabled and that is the reason many disabled people do not leave their houses. Banks, shopping malls and the public transport system should be disabled-friendly as it will help people like us to go around.
I am in charge of Zone 16 which covers Kampung Rawang Tin, Kampung Kuala Garing, Taman Sri Rawang, Taman Garing Jaya, Taman Sri Garing, Taman Garing, Taman Garing Utama, Taman Kota Emerald, Kampung Sungai Dua Tambahan, Taman Pelangi, Taman Belmas Johan and Taman Idaman in Rawang. I would not hesitate to raise any issues voiced by citizens here.
Q: What are the problems in dealing with such issues?
A: A better mindset and attitude. I have heard excuses that there are too few disabled persons here to justify building proper ramps for their access. This is ridiculous. Better enforcement is needed to ensure that the public areas are well maintained. I am happy to note that Selayang has allocated 972 parking lots for the disabled. This is a step in the right direction but access to shops and other buildings needs to be built.
Q: What is your daily routine?
A: As a rule, the first half of my day is spent on my council work and the rest on ILTC.
Q: What is your favourite food?
A: I am quite selective of what I eat but I go for all types of local fare.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: Since being appointed councillor, I have had very little free time. When I do have free time, I spend it counselling people with family problems here, most of them are not disabled.
Q: What is your message to the Malaysian public in terms of relating to a disabled person?
A: The public should understand the problems of disabled people. Then, we can educate them on how they can play a role to help the disabled and not to look at us with the wrong impression. We must learn to be open -minded and care for one another, I believe that this is the fundamental trait that makes us human beings. We are no different from any one else.
NSTP
Rina's 'wheel-power' to inspire.
Q & A with GURDIP KAUR @ RINA PRITAM SINGHDate of birth: Dec 11, 1961
Place of birth: George Town, Penang
Occupation: Selayang Municipal Council member, Independent Living and Training Centre secretary, volunteer at Sungai Buloh Hospital
Family: Married with one daughter
Hobbies: Listening to sentimental music from the 60s and 70s, outdoor excursions and spending time with her grandchild.
SELAYANG: It is common for one to blame adversities in life to circumstances.
But for the wheelchair-bound Gurdip Kaur @ Rina Pritam Singh, it was when life came crashing down on her that she found strength to help others and be a role model.
Gurdip, 47, or known to many as Rina, suffered an accident in 1993 which left her paralysed from the waist down. She had fallen down a flight of stairs at the apartment block where she lived.
She was married, had a daughter and was a nurse in a clinic owned by the late Dr Joe Fernandez at her hometown in Butterworth.
Rina said: "I became isolated and constantly worried about my family. 'What's going to happen to my child and how am I to live?' I kept asking myself."
To make matters worse, her husband filed for a divorce as he thought she was a burden.
Rina then moved to Kuala Lumpur for treatment and lived with her eldest sister, Jagjit Kaur, who was a pillar of strength and who trained her to be independent.
On an outing to a shopping complex, she met a couple who persuaded her to join an organisation for the disabled. It was during the first meeting that she met many who shared her plight of being called disabled.
"At that moment I knew my calling in life, it was to be a vocal advocate for the rights of the disabled and the betterment of life for all, " she said.
She then met Francis Siva, whom she married. Both shared a similar plight in life (he is also paralysed) and a common cause -- to improve the quality of life of the disabled.
Rina and Siva formed the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in 1999 in Rawang to help the disabled in rural areas.
They organised a charity show that year which raised RM25,000 and started a home where 12 handicapped persons live and earn a living today.
Rina stands as a beacon of hope for the disabled as she has been appointed a Selayang Municipal Council member. She began her appointment by raising the issue of lack of public facilities for the disabled.
Q: Tell us about your early education?
A: My primary schooling was at Convent Light Street in Penang and secondary was SM Seri Mutiara in Ayer Itam.
Q: What motivated you to be independent and become a vocal advocate for the disabled?
A: It was my sister who stood by me and changed me life. She taught me how to use a wheelchair and live life without relying on others. I went through hard times but I have no regrets today. I am blessed with a daughter who is 25, married and living in Old Klang road. It was when I met Francis Siva and when we formed ILTC that we started to take on the challenge of speaking for the disabled and trying to make public spaces disabled friendly. My belief is that there are no obstacles in life but only challenges. We will fight for better amenities and accessibility to improve the quality of life for disabled persons.
Q: What is the main focus of the Independent Living and Training Centre?
A: ILTC focuses on improving the quality of life for the disabled and creating awareness on how they can be independent to lead what society calls a normal life. We have 12 stay-ins who sell greeting cards, handcrafts and pens in and around Rawang daily and they are paid for their work. Some private companies give us simple processes to complete and pay us for it. We conduct training classes on how to live with disability. We teach them to be trustworthy and responsible citizens and also help them obtain medical treatment.
Q: As a council member, what are the main issues that you feel need to be improved in Rawang?
A: I want to ensure the Rawang new town is disabled-friendly and urge the council not to give Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CF) to shopping malls, shops and other public places if they are not equipped with facilities for the disabled and the elderly.
In Rawang, there are no public toilets for the disabled and that is the reason many disabled people do not leave their houses. Banks, shopping malls and the public transport system should be disabled-friendly as it will help people like us to go around.
I am in charge of Zone 16 which covers Kampung Rawang Tin, Kampung Kuala Garing, Taman Sri Rawang, Taman Garing Jaya, Taman Sri Garing, Taman Garing, Taman Garing Utama, Taman Kota Emerald, Kampung Sungai Dua Tambahan, Taman Pelangi, Taman Belmas Johan and Taman Idaman in Rawang. I would not hesitate to raise any issues voiced by citizens here.
Q: What are the problems in dealing with such issues?
A: A better mindset and attitude. I have heard excuses that there are too few disabled persons here to justify building proper ramps for their access. This is ridiculous. Better enforcement is needed to ensure that the public areas are well maintained. I am happy to note that Selayang has allocated 972 parking lots for the disabled. This is a step in the right direction but access to shops and other buildings needs to be built.
Q: What is your daily routine?
A: As a rule, the first half of my day is spent on my council work and the rest on ILTC.
Q: What is your favourite food?
A: I am quite selective of what I eat but I go for all types of local fare.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: Since being appointed councillor, I have had very little free time. When I do have free time, I spend it counselling people with family problems here, most of them are not disabled.
Q: What is your message to the Malaysian public in terms of relating to a disabled person?
A: The public should understand the problems of disabled people. Then, we can educate them on how they can play a role to help the disabled and not to look at us with the wrong impression. We must learn to be open -minded and care for one another, I believe that this is the fundamental trait that makes us human beings. We are no different from any one else.
Monday, 15 September 2008
Lee Chan Bags A Bronze For Malaysia
Monday, September 15, 2008
BERNAMA - NEWS
Lee Chan Bags A Bronze For Malaysia
From Farhanah Azmi
BEIJING, Sept 10 (Bernama) National powerlifter Siow Lee Chan ended a 16-year medal draught in the Paralympics for Malaysia when she bagged a bronze in the women's Under 56kg event in the Beijing Paralympics Wednesday.
Lee Chan, 37, lifted 95kgs and in the process achieved a personal best over the 92.5kgs she achieved at the Athens Paralympics in 2004 and Asean Para Games in Manila in 2005.
On hand to witness her achieving the feat was the Prime Minister's wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, who is also the patron of the Malaysian Paralympics Council.
The gold was won by Fatma Omar of Egypt who did 141.5kgs, which was also a Paralympic and World record.
Russia's Irina Kazantseva took the silver after lifting 97.5kgs."I am extremely excited, absolutely thrilled.
I'm satisfied with the results. I did not think too much, I just left it to God.
"I will continue to practice powerlifting and try my best to get better results next time," Lee Chan told a press conference after the medal presentation ceremony at the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronauts Gymnasium.
Lee Chan had represented the country in the Sydney Games (2000) and Athens (2004) where she finished in sixth place in both.However, Lee Chan's success could not be repeated by teammate Cheok Kon Fatt, 53, in the men's Under 52kg when he only managed eighth place out of 12 competitors after lifting 137.5kgs.
China's Wu Guojing lifted 175kg to take the gold while Osama Elserngawy of Egypt won the silver (167.5kg).
Narong Kasanun of Thailand also lifted the same weight but was awarded the bronze on count back.Kon Fatt, a veteran of the Paralympics, won the silver in the category in the Barcelona Games of 1992.
It was the last time national paralympians won any medals in the Games.National coach Ghazali Osman was elated by Lee Chan's achievement and said:
"The six months of training we put in under the watchful eyes of the National Sports Council has paid off."
BERNAMA
BERNAMA - NEWS
Lee Chan Bags A Bronze For Malaysia
From Farhanah Azmi
BEIJING, Sept 10 (Bernama) National powerlifter Siow Lee Chan ended a 16-year medal draught in the Paralympics for Malaysia when she bagged a bronze in the women's Under 56kg event in the Beijing Paralympics Wednesday.
Lee Chan, 37, lifted 95kgs and in the process achieved a personal best over the 92.5kgs she achieved at the Athens Paralympics in 2004 and Asean Para Games in Manila in 2005.
On hand to witness her achieving the feat was the Prime Minister's wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, who is also the patron of the Malaysian Paralympics Council.
The gold was won by Fatma Omar of Egypt who did 141.5kgs, which was also a Paralympic and World record.
Russia's Irina Kazantseva took the silver after lifting 97.5kgs."I am extremely excited, absolutely thrilled.
I'm satisfied with the results. I did not think too much, I just left it to God.
"I will continue to practice powerlifting and try my best to get better results next time," Lee Chan told a press conference after the medal presentation ceremony at the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronauts Gymnasium.
Lee Chan had represented the country in the Sydney Games (2000) and Athens (2004) where she finished in sixth place in both.However, Lee Chan's success could not be repeated by teammate Cheok Kon Fatt, 53, in the men's Under 52kg when he only managed eighth place out of 12 competitors after lifting 137.5kgs.
China's Wu Guojing lifted 175kg to take the gold while Osama Elserngawy of Egypt won the silver (167.5kg).
Narong Kasanun of Thailand also lifted the same weight but was awarded the bronze on count back.Kon Fatt, a veteran of the Paralympics, won the silver in the category in the Barcelona Games of 1992.
It was the last time national paralympians won any medals in the Games.National coach Ghazali Osman was elated by Lee Chan's achievement and said:
"The six months of training we put in under the watchful eyes of the National Sports Council has paid off."
BERNAMA
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