Challenging job

Thursday July 9, 2009



Challenging job
WHEEL POWER WITH ANTHONY THANASAYAN

The challenges of a city councillor are many and varied.

MY job as a councillor for the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) came to a halt on June 30. At the time of writing this article, I do not know if I will be picked again to serve another term.

Whatever the case, Tuesday last week was one filled with mixed emotions. I was sad to say goodbye to all the wonderful friends I have made at the local municipality. They include people from the top right down to those at the frontline. All of them have been very helpful to me.

Whether it is attending to a resident’s need or getting the door in front of me or the lift, it is always nice to be greeted with a friendly smile or a polite handshake.

I have learnt so much as a councillor. For one, you learn to see life and its problems from a totally different perspective.

As a leader of an NGO, I’ve had my share of battles with municipalities in the past. Some of them had not been very pleasant.

But I never realised that sometimes solutions can’t come about in the way we expect them to.

Especially in cases where there are other people and factors to consider instead of just one particular group or two.

It is at times like these that the responsibilities of a councillor can be challenging, frustrating and even depressing.

Having said that, though, the past 12 months has been an encouraging one for disabled and elderly residents in Petaling Jaya.

The disabled in Petaling Jaya were given free medical treatment at MBPJ’s clinic. This is a welcome relief for the handicapped who may otherwise have to wait in long queues at government hospitals.

To celebrate International Disabled Day in December, a disabled car park complete with a roof was launched to provide extra protection for the handicapped. The 150 car parks that will be built in stages throughout the city. They will be available free of charge.

I had the honour of setting up and chairing a special committee of experts who sit in a monthly disability technical committee to chart out barrier-free plans for the city.

The group comprises a medical doctor and a team of disabled persons with a mix of handicaps.

This is important for the representation of a diverse range of issues affecting the handicapped.

All new buildings in Petaling Jaya had to come to us first with their disabled-friendly blueprint.

Once our input is given, it will then proceed to the relevant bodies in MBPJ for final approval.

With the help of the planning and engineering department, we have come up with a revised standard for up-to-date disabled-friendly toilets for all buildings as well as new guidelines for homes for the elderly to ensure that the needs of all are taken into consideration.

Perhaps the most exciting of all the disabled-friendly facilities in Petaling Jaya is the universal design pavement that can be used by everyone, including the elderly, the blind, the physically disabled, and even mothers with prams.

The 500m-stretch along Jalan Gasing will be completed before long.

As I wheeled myself up on the pavement last Sunday, I was overcome by emotion. I had never been happier in my life.

For the first time in my 30 years as a wheelchair resident in PJ, I was able to access a user-friendly and safe pavement.

Welcome to a new Petaling Jaya!