Thursday April 23, 2009
Disabled folk protest against Astro ruling
KUALA LUMPUR: About 20 disabled people turned up at the Women, Family and Community Develop-ment Ministry yesterday to protest against the ruling barring those with Astro from receiving welfare aid.
The wheelchair-bound protesters were led by Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Silva, who urged the ministry to reconsider its ruling. Silva said the ruling was a clear indication of discrimination against the disabled.
“The RM50 subscription fee is minimal. Astro channels have become a source of information and knowledge for our children. We don’t want the Welfare Department to withdraw the allowance which we are entitled to,” he said.
The group later met Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil for 30 minutes.
In a statement, Shahrizat said the aid was meant to assist the poor and needy with basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter.
“Subscribing to Astro for an entertainment channel is considered a monthly expense that would reduce the amount of welfare aid,” she said, adding that there would also be more dialogues and reviews of legislation, policies and regulations to enhance the quality of the lives of the disabled.
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