NEW MINISTER FOR WELFARE MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

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
Disabled Members Protest at JPJ Wangsa Maju

ILTC Malaysia members staged a protest outside JPJ Wangsamaju KL.

ILTC Malaysia members staged a protest outside JPJ Wangsamaju KL.
Disabled group’s protest disabled drivers required to produce doc's medical report.

Thursday 7 May 2009

Ring the bell


Wednesday May 6, 2009


Ring the bell
By CHRISTINA CHIN,
Photos by WAN MOHIZAN WAN HUSSEIN

PENANG can soon boast having a disabled-friendly bus system as Rapid Penang’s new fleet of 200 buses will be just that – disabled-friendly!

There are currently two prototypes plying the streets for the past month, and more are arriving in stages from Sweden.

“So far, the response we’ve received for the two that are currently running has been positive. We will continue to work closely with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the state to cater to the disabled community’s needs,” said Rapid Penang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad.
Purpose-built: The bus' hydraulic system will lower the bus before the ramp is extended out for wheelchair users to board the bus and (bottom pic) Azhar showing off the special seat belts for the disabled.
The prototypes are equipped with seat belts, special bells, ramps and a hydraulic system that can lower the bus by 50mm for the wheelchair-bound.

“Our bus captains were all trained by University Sains Malaysia on how to assist these special passengers. There is a special button outside the bus for the wheelchair-bound to press when they want to get on,” he told StarMetro in an interview.

Fleet to boast of: The bell located outside the bus is specially for wheelchair users. At the sound of the special chime, the bus captain will come down and assist the disabled passenger up the bus.

We will launch a campaign to create awareness among the disabled community on the availability of these buses next month.

He said the new aluminium-structure buses were much lighter and hence, saved up to 20% in fuel usage, compared to the company’s existing buses which were made in China.

The Swedish made buses, however, were twice the price of the buses from China, Azhar.

“In Kuala Lumpur, there are only 30 disabled-friendly RapidKL buses,” Azhar said.

The company currently has 150 buses plying routes in Penang with 110 on the island and 40 on the mainland, and the new buses will be a full complement.

Azhar also said the company wanted to adopt all the 303 bus stops in Penang to make them “more comfortable and disabled-friendly” but would have to wait until the state’s advertising contracts with other companies expired.

“About 80% of the bus shelters have been taken up by advertisers so we have to wait for a few years but we are willing and committed,” he added.

On the free shuttle bus service within George Town’s inner city, Azhar said a recent survey revealed that it was well received by students, office workers and tourists who want to get to the Komtar bus interchange.

The cost of running the service which operates from 6am to midnight daily, is paid for by the Penang Municipal Council.

“Some 1,500 passengers take the free shuttle daily. About 80% to 90% of them are happy but have requested for more frequent trips,” he said, adding that the company was in talks to provide bus shuttle services in the Bayan Lepas free industrial zones.

He also said Rapid Penang was awaiting the state’s decision on its RM20mil depot proposals for Sungai Nibong and Weld Quay.

“We spoke to State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow Chow last week and he was keen on our proposal for Sungai Nibong.

“Hopefully, we’ll receive a favourable reply for the Sungai Nibong depot by mid-May.

“The Sungai Nibong depot will have a four-storey administration building, 145 bus parking bays, workshop and hostel.

“The Weld Quay proposal may take longer to work out because several tenants as well as Penang Port are involved,” Azhar said, adding that the company had requested a 30-year lease at nominal fee as it would be used for “public service”.

As part of the company’s service enhancement and expansion plans, he said sub-depots would be built in Balik Pulau, Nibong Tebal, Kepala Batas, Teluk Bahang and Bayan Baru.

Azhar urged the state government and relevant authorities to develop a public transportation master plan that includes a traffic, landscaping as well as housing and commercial development studies.

“With a master plan in place, strict enforcement on illegal hawkers and double-parked vehicles along the road, and an efficient public transportation system, we can reduce traffic jams in the state by at least 40%,” he said.

Wednesday 6 May 2009

‘Do more for the disabled’


Wednesday May 6, 2009


‘Do more for the disabled’

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government should not be exempted from the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008.

“The Federal Government is exempted from any wrongdoing, and this casts serious doubt on its commitment to the rights of the disabled,’’ Ragunath Kesavan, president of the Malaysian Bar, noted.

The Act, which came into force on July 7 last year, also lacked penalties for any party failing to comply with its obligations.

Ragunath said that although the Government had signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities last year, it had yet to ratify it.

“We strongly urge the Govern­ment to immediately ratify the convention and take measures to implement its obligations,’’ he said in a press statement yesterday.

Ragunath said disabled people faced unacceptable barriers in their daily lives due to the lack of proper infrastructure for them.

The shortcomings clearly showed up when Karpal Singh fell from his wheelchair at the Kuantan High Court recently, he said.

Ragunath said existing laws to protect the rights of the disabled and to improve their quality of life were still lacking enforcement.

The Malaysian Bar urged the Government to ensure facilities for the disabled and to improve and enforce the existing laws pertaining to their rights.

Sunday 3 May 2009

University aids disabled


Thursday April 30, 2009

University aids disabled

DISABLED students at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) in Sintok, Kedah, received a big morale boost when the university introduced a disabled-friendly van recently to help them move about in campus.

The van, costing RM140,000, is fitted with hydraulic gadgets to enable wheelchair bound students to get in and out of the vehicle.

Disabled students will be able to use the van, managed by UUM’s Student Affairs Welfare Unit, throughout their stay in the university.

Muhammad Ihsan Abdullah, 23, a third year information technology student, said it was a great relief to have such a facility.

“I can now arrive at my destination on time for classes. I used to take about 30 minutes to wheel myself from my hostel to the lecture theatre and at times when it rains heavily, I had to skip classes.

Another disabled student, Mazlina Mohd Madlan, 21, said the facility was a positive move by the university to assist students like her.

Student Affairs and Alumni deputy vice chancellor Datuk Dr Ahmad Faiz Hamid said the university was always concerned with the welfare of its students, especially those who are disabled.