Firms urged to give 2pc of jobs to disabled

NST Online » Local News 2009/01/04

Firms urged to give 2pc of jobs to disabled

PEKAN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak proposed yesterday that private sector companies reserve two per cent of their jobs for the disabled.

"In this way, more disabled would be able to serve the companies and lead a better future," said Najib."

It's part of your corporate social responsibility.

"You have been providing financial assistance to them, so now you can offer them suitable jobs in your organisations," he said after attending the Excellence Day ceremony for Pekan Community Rehabilitation Centre (PDK) at SMK Sri Pekan yesterday.

The deputy prime minister said that countries like Japan had a legal provision compelling the private sector to offer jobs to the disabled.

"If they fail to provide the jobs, then the firm must provide financial assistance to the government to help the disabled."

This is just my suggestion to the private sector. I hope they will offer assistance to the disabled" Najib said the PDKs must adopt a culture of excellence to improve further.

"As human beings, we will never be able to achieve our dreams if we fail to adopt the excellence culture."We have to always equip ourselves in all aspects as the people will evaluate us through our achievements."

Najib later handed out excellence awards to outstanding disabled individuals and their parents at the function.

MPS blitz on bungalow hotel

Wednesday January 7, 2009

MPS blitz on bungalow hotel
Story and photo by STUART MICHAEL

THE Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) has slapped a RM12,500 fine on the owner of a bungalow in Bandar Country Homes in Rawang for using it as a hotel since August last year.

The owner has been ordered to stop operations with immediate effect.

Discussion: Gurdip Kaur (right and in a wheelchair) with the owner of the bungalow and MPS enforcement officers.

The bungalow hotel is located in a residential area in Phase Six, Bandar Country Homes.

StarMetro had reported on Dec 24 that the mini hotel had 10 rooms for rent. The operator had placed an advertisement on the Internet inviting guests to book rooms.

Recently, about 50 MPS enforcement officers raided the bungalow hotel, seizing items in the premises.

According to MPS Safety and Enforcement director Ahmad Faisal Badiuzaman, the owner has been told to stop operations immediately or else the council will take sterner action like sealing the place.

The owner, who is disabled, pleaded with the enforcement officers to give her time to get things organised.

MPS councillor Gurdip Kaur, who was at the scene, told the MPS enforcement officers to give the owner some time.

“Since the owner is a disabled person, we will give her about three months. However, she is not above the law and must abide by it,” she said.

“The owner said that she is applying for government permission to convert the premises to a home-stay unit,’’ Gurdip said.