Friday June 8, 2012

Disabled-friendly feature in PJ shortlisted for international award

By EDWARD R. HENRY
edward@thestar.com.my

WALK paths with tact tiles and ramps built around certain parts of Petaling Jaya aimed at creating a barrier-free environment, has been shortlisted as a semi-finalist for the Commonwealth Associa-tion for Public Administration and Management (Capam) Inter-national Innovation Awards.

Out of the 120 submissions for the award, PJ has been shortlisted as one of the semi-finalists. PJ’s people friendly project — A Barrier Free PJ: Lifting the Urban Disability Stigma — has captured the hearts of Capam judges. Forty countries are taking part in the awards.

PJ mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said the council felt privileged to be selected as a semi-finalist and the entry was slotted under the Innovation in Citizen Engagement and Dialogue award category.

Capam president Paul Zahra from Malta will present the award in New Delhi, India, in September.

“We find physical barriers still preventing the disabled from participating and enjoying the benefits of living in the city.

“Our efforts are being seen as various parts of the city have been redesigned to make it accessible,” said Roslan.

Capam is an International Innovations Awards that celebrates the spirit of innovation in the public service by recognising organisations that have made significant contributions to improving governance and services in the public sector.

The award inspires and encourages innovators to improve public service governance, and the quality of life of residents and communities.

“PJ’s barrier-free environment project is the only entry from Malaysia and it competes with entries from established countries and organisations. PJ has made parks and public areas accessible to the physically-challenged and we feel that warrants our entry to be shortlisted,” said Roslan.

He added that PJ’s ongoing effort to create a barrier-free city “is the right thing to do.”

Meanwhile, PJ city councillor and distinguished fellow of the United States of America Hawaii University Anthony Thanasayan said he felt privileged and honoured by Capam’s submission.

“Being a wheelchair-bound person as a teenager living in PJ, the neighbourhood was my greatest foe at one time. I was a virtual prisoner in my home because of the lack of thought given by the municipal council then to me as a resident with special needs.

“I could not get into Taman Jaya park which is a few hundred metres from my home because of a locked gate and cobbled pavements,” he said.

Thanasayan added that now it was a different story.

“We have a special entrance for wheelchairs initiated by me that allow all handicapped people through. We have the country’s first universal design pavement that is also being made in poorer areas of PJ.

“I think, it is an incredible success story that any local government can offer and continue to help the disabled community.

“But now with the leadership of Roslan all that is changing,” he said.

Saturday June 9, 2012

Disabled group’s protest leads to member finally getting a PPR unit

By VIJENTHI NAIR
vijenthi@thestar.com,my
Photos by LIM CHENG KIAT

INDEPENDENT Living and Training Centre (ILTC) members staged a protest outside Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut yesterday morning in support of their fellow member whose application for a Public Housing Project (PPR) unit has been left pending, forcing him to sleep in his car.

Karuppanan Veeramalai, 60, a disabled, is leading a miserable life and has been sleeping in his car for the past two-and-a-half years.

“My wife and I work as toilet cleaners at the Subang KTM station and we have 20-year-old son who is still studying. Living expenses are too high and we cannot afford to rent a house and were forced to squat at my wife’s sister’s place in PPR Intan Baiduri.

United stand: Independent Living and Training Centre members demonstrating outside the DBKL headquarters.

“The house is already full of people. Being a disabled, I take up a lot of space and so chose to sleep in the car to avoid misunderstandings within the family.

“I have approached DBKL since 2010, appealing for a PPR unit for rent but was told to wait as there were no units available.

“I have also approached Deputy Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk M. Saravanan for help and he has given a support letter for my application and his personal assistant assured me several times that I would get a unit soon,” he said.

Karuppanan said he was frustrated with the situation.

“It is frustrating to see many empty units at the PPR Intan Baiduri used by drug addicts who damage the property but my family and I have no place of our own,” he added.

Sad state: Karuppanan demonstrating how he has been sleeping in his car for the past two-and-a-half years.

His wife, Pushpavalli Archunan, 49, said they were poor but not asking for a free unit.

“We can still work and just want a unit for rent like everybody else. It is sad to see my husband sleeping in the car every night,” she said.

Petaling Jaya city councillor Anthony Thanasayan was also present in support of Karuppanan.

“There is no excuse for DBKL to treat Karuppanan in such a manner. How can they allow a person to live in such a bad condition.

“It is shocking to find that DBKL, which has put in a lot of effort into building disabled-friendly infrastructure, being insensitive towards their welfare.

“This is simply intolerable. We are here to demand that DBKL provides him with a unit.

ILTC president Francis Siva said it was disappointing to see foreigners living in Malaysia happily while its own citizens were leading a miserable life.

“We are going to wait outside here until the DBKL officers come up with a solution to provide proper housing for Karuppanan,” he said.

Later in the afternoon, Francis said DBKL housing and community development director Sukiman Surahman had called them over for a discussion and handed over an offer letter for a PPR Intan Baiduri unit to Karuppanan.

“Sukiman said Karuppanan and his family will be able to move in within 48 hours and has asked his officers to ensure the unit is ready and safe for occupancy.

“We are happy with the outcome but the process should not be so complicated. The Welfare Depart-ment should play a better role in helping the disabled,” he said.

Wednesday June 6, 2012

Thanasayan reappointed as councillor due to proven track record

By EDWARD R. HENRY and PRIYA MENON
metro@thestar.com.my

PETALING Jaya City councillor Anthony Thanasayan has been reappointed to serve for another term, while two others — Tang Fuie Koh and Harmony Ghani Ismail — whose appointment was put on hold were dropped.

There were calls for Thanasayan to be dropped following several allegations against him.

However, following a two-month indepth investigation these were found to be baseless.

On Monday afternoon, Thanasayan took his oath under the Local Government Act 1976, which was the declaration of acceptance of office in front of Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohammad Roslan Sakiman.

Tang was replaced by Petaling Jaya Utara PKR division chief Lee Chin Cheh or better known as C. C. Lee, 41, while Harmony was dropped in favour of Kelana Jaya PKR Youth chief Azman Yusof, 44.

The chosen ones: (From left) Councillors Suresh, Azman, Yusof Lee and Anthony Thanasayan during the swearing-in ceremony.

Another vacant position was filled by Subang PKR division committee member Suresh Gengiah, 44 — a businessman.

On March 8, the council was thrown into confusion when the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 10.30am was called off five minutes before the start. It was called off on technical grounds.

Again on March 12, the PJ City council postponed the swearing-in ceremony of its councillors for the second time. On March 20, only 20 councillors were sworn-in for the 2012-2013 term with five new faces.

They were non-governmental organisation members Norliana Ahmad, 41, Ahmad Akhir Pawanchik, 45, DAP member Lee Suet Sen, 42, an engineer and PAS duo Azri Mohamad Arish, 42 and Ghazali Daud, 58.

According to a state administrative official, Lee, Azman and Suresh were vetted thoroughly.

“On Thanasayan’s case, the allegations against him were baseless as there were no documents to support them. It all involved allegations outside the scope of being a councillor. As a councillor, he has a proven track record,” she said.

Thanasayan said he was now more determined to help the disabled community that’s financially disadvantaged.

“For animal welfare, I will think of plans that will involve pet lovers understanding their pets,” he said.

Thanasayan added that his first move was to work with state exco Dr Xavier Jeyakumar to establish a special state council for animals.

Meanwhile, Suresh who lives in Lembah Subang said he was informed of his appointment as a councillor on Friday last week while he was in India.

“I accepted the councillor’s post, as I have the desire to serve the people,” he said.

Lee, a lawyer, said he was eager to use the post to create a more greener environment for PJ folks.

“I have been working behind the scenes for the party for four years and now the party would like me to come to the forefront. I will accept it graciously,” said the former Gerakan member who has been with PKR for 10 years.

Azman, a businessman in the construction line, said he would visit the urban poor of Desa Mentari and Desa Ria who are in need of help.

Finally, a roof over his head

Karuppanan's happy ending came about after 30 disabled people demonstrated on his behalf

FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012 - 13:05

by T.K. Letchumy Tamboo

Location: 

KUALA LUMPUR

NEW BEGINNING: Karuppanan receives an offer letter for a PPR unit from Sukiman.

AFTER two and a half years of living in his car, a disabled toilet attendant became the proud owner of a house within two hours yesterday.

Wheelchair-bound V. Karuppanan's happy ending happened after 30 disabled people from the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) demonstrated outside City Hall's headquarters here on his behalf.

The 60-year-old from Selayang, who had applied to City Hall for a flat unit on the first floor of the Intan Baiduri Public Housing Scheme (PPR) since 2009, got his prayers answered when the council's Housing Management department director Sukiman Surahman decided to offer him a vacant unit.

In the 30-minute meeting with Sukiman, Karuppanan, who was accompanied by ILTC adviser Anthony Thanasayan, president Francis Siva and secretary Gurdip Kaur, explained how every one turned a blind eye on him.

"I sought help from City Hall, the Social Welfare Department and the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry, but they gave empty promises," said Karuppanan, who had been forced to bath in the toilet that he manages with his wife, A. Pushpavalli, 49, in KTM Subang Jaya.

Pushpavalli, who had been staying at her sister's already crowded house in PPR Intan Baiduri with her 21-year-old son, said she was ecstatic with the flat offer as she did not need to 'squatter' at other people's house anymore.

Karuppanan in his car — Pix: Razak Ghazali

"My husband lost the use of his legs during childhood due to polio. I have to be his limbs and help him out with chores. I clean the washrooms at the Subang Jaya station and he collects money from users.

"We make about RM30 daily and can hardly get through life with it. At least now we have a place to call home," she said.

Sukiman said despite Karuppanan's claim that he had approached City Hall before, this was the first time he heard the problem.

"Karuppanan said he noticed many vacant units at PPR Intan Baiduri and asked why we did not offer him.

"Sometimes, the flats may look vacant but may not be the case. We have to check to ensure it is really vacant.

"I've offered Karuppanan a unit on the first floor of PPR Intan Baiduri after receiving confirmation that it is vacant.

"I've instructed my officers to renovate the unit into a disabled-friendly home by building ramps and revamping the toilet. We hope this can be done within two days and he can then move in with his family," Sukiman said.

A street protest that works

G Vinod

 | June 7, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: About 20 disabled people demonstrated outside Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) this morning in the name of a homeless man and solved his problem in a matter of hours.

The protesters, representing the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC), demanded that City Hall provide housing to V Karuppan, a disabled 60-year-old man who has been living in his car for nearly three years because he is too poor to buy a house.

The group was led by ILTC adviser Anthony Thanasayan, president Francis Siva and secretary Gurdip Kaur.

Karuppan, who hails from Selayang, said that he had been living in his old Proton Saga since 2009.

“I work as washroom attendant at the Subang railway station and I have no fixed income,” he said. “On a good day, I can earn about RM20.”

He said that he had applied to City Hall several times since 2009 for a flat on the first floor of the Intan Baiduri Public Housing Scheme (PPR).

“All DBKL gives is empty promises. Sometimes they say I will get it in a week, sometimes in a month but nearly three years have passed and I have not seen my house yet.”

He said his applications were supported by letters from the Welfare Department and the Deputy Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being, M Saravanan.

‘Is this a caring government?’

He claimed that an aide to Saravanan once told him to purchase his own house while waiting for City Hall to approve his application.

“If I had the money to buy my own house, why would I want to rent a PPR flat? It’s common sense, isn’t it?”

Karuppan lost the use of his legs in childhood as a consequence of polio. His wife, A Pushpavalli, helps him on his job.

Pushpavalli said she had found out that several flat units at Intan Baiduri, including one on the first floor, had been vacant for three years.

She questioned why City Hall was not willing to approve Karuppan’s application. “You make my husband run up and down for a home knowing he is disabled. And you call yourself a caring government?”

Pushpavalli, 49, stays with her sister at Intan Baiduri at night, but the flat is too crowded to accommodate her husband.

“My sister lives with her extended family in the flat,” she said. “I sleep in the hall.”

Thanasayan, who is also a Petaling Jaya City Hall councillor, said he was shocked when he found out how DBKL was treating Karuppanan.

“The way DBKL is treating a disabled man is disgraceful,” he said. “This just shows that it doesn’t care for us.”

Welfare Department taken to task
He demanded that DBKL provide Karuppan a flat by today or place him in a hotel until it could provide him with a flat.

An aide to DBKL’s director-general told the protesters that City Hall’s director for housing, Sukiman Surahman, could not meet them as he was at a meeting at the DBKL office in Kampung Baru.

When they insisted on a meeting, the aide said City Hall would arrange to transport them to Kampung Baru. However, the three ILTC officials decided to go there on their own, taking Karuppan with them.

The meeting lasted 20 minutes, during which, according to Siva, Sukiman issued a letter to Karuppan that offered him a first floor flat at Intan Baiduri.

“He also instructed his officers to turn the unit into a disabled friendly home by building ramps and renovating the toilet,” Siva said, adding that the unit would be ready in two days.

Although happy with the outcome, Siva criticised the Welfare Department for failing to help Karuppan in the first place.

“The Welfare Department should have dealt with this, not an NGO. We might as well close down the department if this is how they are going to work.”

Thursday May 31, 2012

Rehab centre’s special treatment

By ONG HAN SEAN
hansean@thestar.com.my

BENTONG: A community-based rehabilitation centre (PDK) is embarking on an unconventional technique in treating its special needs children by harnessing the healing power of flowers and plants.

The students of PDK Harapan in Kampung Perting here were all waiting in line excitedly to get tested and receive their remedies in a special treatment called phytobiophysics.

A type of complementary medicine, the treatment constituted the testing for weaknesses in the body and the oral application of remedies derived from flowers.

Slow and easy: Kong performing physical therapy on one of the children at PDK Harapan.

Practitioner Kong Poei Moon said a muscle testing would first be used to determine which part of the body lacked the proper energy.

This testing will help us find out what the body needs and which flower formula that can be used to compensate for the deficiency, she toldStarMetro recently.

Kong said she had also combined phytobiophysics with physical therapy to enhance the treatment and to help the children absorb the remedies easier.

She added that the treatment had shown good results after it was applied on some 15 children at the centre since last year.

Their parents have reported that their children have become cleverer, more independent and able to follow instructions.

Special treatment: Phytobiophysics practitioner Yap Chee Tong administering a flower formula on one of the children.

“These children’s IQ are very high but they cannot communicate properly. The energy from flowers is very gentle and I believe it can help offset some of their weaknesses but as to whether it can cure the children of Downs syndrome completely, we do not know,” said Kong, who had been practising the technique for 11 years.

However, she said phytobiophysics was only acknowledged but not accredited by the Health Ministry due to a lack of concrete evidence of its effectiveness.

It is not that well-known in Malaysia. In fact, PDK Harapan is the only centre which we are using phytobiophysics to treat special needs children, said Kong.

PDK Harapan president Daniel See said he first came across the treatment in an article last year and immediately went out of his way to bring it to the centre.

For going the extra mile in rehabilitating its students, the PDK received the best centre award at the state-level Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) Day celebration recently.

“I feel there is a need for every PDK to go beyond the scope of just providing basic training. A lot of the deficiencies in these children are rooted mentally. They need something else besides physical training to restore the balance in their bodies and this is my initiative in providing just that,” said See.