PSM: Why auction disabled man’s house without notice

PSM: Why auction disabled man’s house without notice

Blake Chen

 | October 26, 2016

Balan Perumal, paralysed in a workplace accident, claims his home was auctioned by Bank Simpanan Nasional before insurance money came in.

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM) today handed in a memorandum to Bank Negara over the sale via auction of a house belonging to a man who became disabled after a workplace accident.

In the memorandum, PSM further claimed that Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) had auctioned off the house without any notice.

Balan Perumal, who is paralysed from the waist down following a workplace accident, said that troubles with the bank started in July last year when he purchased a house in Taman Seremban Jaya and paid monthly instalments of RM700 to BSN.

“I informed BSN of my problem and they were aware that I am in the process of claiming my insurance. So, why proceed with auctioning off my house?

“This is unfair to disabled people like me. They are auctioning off my house without any notice,” he said.

PSM Central Committee Member S Arutchelvan said that Balan paid his instalments on time every month, and that it was unfair for him to be treated this way.

He explained that Balan stopped paying his instalments when Balan’s sister, Devi Perumal, said she met an officer attached to BSN headquarters and told Balan to apply for insurance, which will cover the cost of the instalments.

However, according to Arutchelvan, Balan’s house was already put up for auction before the insurance request was granted.

“This is unfair. He was denied insurance because of a technical problem, and the insurance said that he can appeal until June 2016. However, his house was already auctioned on February 2016.”

Prior to this, PSM handed in a memorandum to the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) urging for their intervention on the matter.

2017 Budget: More needs to be done for disabled, say groups

2017 Budget: More needs to be done for disabled, say groups

BY SUZANNA PILAY - 23 OCTOBER 2016 @ 11:20 AM

KUALA LUMPUR: From the perspective of people with disabilities (PWDs), the 2017 Budget is not much different from the 2016 Budget, despite minor adjustments. 

Independent: Living and Training Centre Malaysia (ILTC) president G. Francis Siva said most of the PWDs were cared for by their family members or home caretakers.

The procedural changes in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) relief meant they were no longer required to produce a letter from a registered disabled association or a medical officer or doctor to get tax exemptions on medical equipment like wheelchairs and walking frames.

“The RM535 million allocation to PWDs does not mention any specific increment for the disabled, or even PWDs who are working and earning salaries of RM1,200 and below. “Those in the latter group receive only RM350 from the government and there is no change in this allowance.

“It would be great if the allowance for PWDs is increased as most of them are unemployed and struggling to survive,” he said. 

The GST waiver for selected equipment like wheelchairs and walking frames, he said, would help with one-time expenses for the initial purchase of such items. 

“However, a wheelchair can last five years. PWDs actually rely on daily necessities that are costly, such as diapers, urine bags and catheters, which are not tax-exempted. 

“Additionally, an allowance increase is needed for PWDs who cannot work and support themselves. An allowance of RM500 would be ideal as they need more help. 

“Schools and public areas should also be upgraded and be made more accessible to PWDs,” he said. 

‘Budget 2017 brings no relief to the disabled’

‘Budget 2017 brings no relief to the disabled’

By S Neesha

Last Updated 21st October, 2016, 7:54 PM

Disabled people in Malaysia were looking forward to a monthly allowance of RM500 to cope with GST and the rising cost of living, but were let down

KUALA LUMPUR: Next year is going to be another struggle for us, lamented president of The Independent Living and Training Centre Malaysia (ILTC Malaysia), G Francis Siva, when commenting on the Budget 2017 tabled by Prime Minister Najib Razak today.

Francis was disappointed with the Budget proposal as he felt that more should be done for the disabled.

In his Budget speech, Najib said the goods and services tax (GST) relief for purchase of aid equipment for the disabled will be expanded.

“GST relief for the purchase of aid equipment for registered PWDs (person with disability) without going through Private Charitable Entities. The list of equipment eligible for tax relief will be expanded,” Najib said.

Currently, the monthly allowance for employed PWD is RM350; RM200 for unemployed PWD; and assistance of RM300 for those taking care of bedridden PWD.

“For PWD giving GST waive for aid equipment and apart from that nothing, honestly very disappointed with the budget. Aid equipment like wheelchairs, bed, artificial leg and all these we are using for a few years, not every month, every day we are changing.

“I don’t know why they never focus to help for long term. They should increase allowance because daily things like food, diapers, medicines, these are the things we are struggling to buy,” said Francis.

He said that the government has yet again neglected the disabled while every other section of the community got “good news”.

“I saw others all they increased — taxi, Rela, but neglected us. Very sad. They mentioned Paralympic, how many disabled only are in that category.. basic help not given, how many got opportunity to go that level? That’s why we see it is not a caring budget for us.

“We are honestly very disappointed with our ministry (Women and Family Development) because I don’t think our requests reached the Ministry of Finance. Because they (MOF) also never called us for dialogue. When Mahathir (Mohamad) was there he’d call us to get some ideas on giving quality care for the disabled.

“But I see after Mahathir, nothing is happening in our lives,” said Francis.

”Even our Women and Family Ministry when headed by Shahrizat was better — every year we could get something,” he added.

PROGRAM PRIHATIN CAHAYA DEEPAVALI 2016

Prihatin Cahaya Deepavali a program by the Malaysian Red Crescent in collaboration with KFC was successfully held on 14 October 2016 at the Dewan Brunsfield, Malaysian Red Crescent Society, National Head Quarters – Lot PT54, Lengkok Belfield, Off Wisma Putra, 50460 Kuala Lumpur.

ILTC Malaysia would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Malaysian Red Crescent for giving us the opportunity to attend this wonderful event its efforts to help the needy. 

They were also treated to a dinner with ang pow and goodie bags to the participants.