Tuduhan golongan OKU tidak relevan

News Article from Sinar

Tuduhan golongan OKU tidak relevan

Jumaat 21-2-2010

Tuduhan golongan OKU tidak relevan

BANDAR BARU SELAYANG - Pihak Pejabat Tanah dan Daerah Gombak menyifatkan dakwaan orang kurang upaya (OKU) dalam demonstrasi beramai-ramai mereka di perkarangan bangunan Kerajaan Negeri itu sebagai tidak relevan.

Pegawai daerahnya, Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad yang memberitahu demikian berkata, pihaknya sekali gus menafikan semua tuduhan dilemparkan kumpulan terbabit bahawa pihaknya tidak prihatin kesusahan OKU.

Katanya, kumpulan demonstrasi menuduh pihaknya tidak mesra OKU adalah tidak tepat berikutan pelbagai usaha telah diambil bagi memastikan keper-luan berkaitan diadakan.

“Saya pun tidak pasti standard layanan bagaimana yang golongan ini kehendaki. Sedangkan setakat 30 tahun kita di bangunan ini, tidak pernah ada run- gutan daripada OKU berkenaan isu sebegini.

“Dalam kes ini, kita turut sangsi apakah matlamat kumpulan berkenaan, mereka hanya datang pada hari Khamis (minggu lalu), dan kerana tidak dapat ber- jumpa saya keesokannya terus berdemonstrasi,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam sidang media bagi memberikan penjelasan berhubung tindakan sekumpulan OKU diketuai Presiden Badan Latihan dan Hisup Berdikari, Francis Siva yang mengadakan demonstrasi di bangunan pejabatnya, baru-baru ini.

Dalam pada itu, Ahmad Zaharin mempertikaikan demonstrasi terus diadakan kumpulan terbabit tanpa menunggu hari temu janji dengannya yang sepatutnya berlangsung Selasa minggu ini.

“Pada hari pertama mereka datang lagi saya sudah minta supaya pembantu peribadi (PA) saya berjumpa OKU berkenaan yang ketika itu menunggu di bawah untuk menetapkan tarikh temu janji itu.

“Seperti sedia maklum, masa kerja terhad, mereka pun datang tanpa buat temu janji dan ke-betulan ketika itu saya sedang ada mesyuarat penting perlu dipengerusikan. Tetapi ada kaki- tangan saya yang melayan mereka,” katanya.

Jumaat lalu, golongan OKU merasakan sikap masyarakat terutama kakitangan awam didakwa masih tidak prihatin terhadap keperluan OKU, mendorong sekumpulan 25 OKU berkumpul secara aman di ban-gunan Pejabat Daerah Gombak bagi meluahkan perasaan mereka kepada agensi terbabit.

Francis Siva berkata, tindakan dilakukan dengan harapan supaya golongan sepertinya tidak diheret sama menghadapi karenah birokrasi dan berharap kekurangan kemudahan OKU di bangunan berkenaan diatasi.

Difahamkan isu bermula apabila wakil ILTC datang untuk meminta pengurangan cukai tanah sebanyak RM50 setahun dan mahu bertemu DO mengenai perkara itu, tetapi kecewa dengan layanan diberikan.


Lebih baik daripada pejabat daerah lain

Sementara itu, Ahmad Zaharin ketika mengulas berhubung dakwaan berkenaan, menyifatkan bangunan pejabatnya yang berusia 30 tahun itu , jauh lebih baik jika hendak dibandingkan dengan pejabat daerah lain.

“Kemudahan untuk OKU ini telah lama diwujudkan dan seperti laluan kerusi roda yang disediakan di hadapan bangunan pejabat daerah, malah mendapat pujian ramai dan tidak ada rungutan yang mengatakan laluan itu licin.

“Tandas OKU juga disediakan walaupun sempit. Jika kita hendak penuhi semua tuntutan sudah tentu sukar kerana ia melibatkan kos besar dan bangunan kerajaan pun tidak boleh sesuka hati ‘perbaiki’ kerana ia melibatkan prosedur kewangan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, pihaknya juga telah berusaha memperbaiki mutu perkhidmatan seperti menggunakan sistem nombor, tempat duduk dan menyediakan kaunter pendaftaran untuk kemudahan pelanggan.

Menurutnya, dari masa ke masa pihaknya sentiasa mengadakan perbincangan bersama pelanggan dalam usaha pihaknya memberikan perkhidmatan terbaik dan mengalu-alukan sebarang bentuk cadangan ke arah kebaikan bersama.

“Kalau betul mereka (kumpulan OKU) itu ikhlas dalam hal ini, mereka sepatutnya menunggu sehingga hari temu janji dan saya memang tiada masalah untuk berjumpa serta berbincang dengan mereka.

“Jika dua tiga kali hendak berjumpa saya tetapi gagal, saya rasa wajar (berdemonstrasi). Tetapi ini baru datang sekali, susah sikit. Kita ada saluran perlu diikuti,” katanya.

Ahmad Zaharin berkata, isu utamal kumpulan berkenaan yang mahu meminta pengurangan cukai telah pun diberikan penerangan oleh kakitangan jabatan berkenaan berhubung prosedur yang perlu dipenuhi.

"DO tiada kuasa membuat keputusan dalam pengurangan cukai tanah kerana ia tertakluk kepada Akta Tanah Negara.

"Pimpinan OKU terlibat sepatutnya faham berhubung prosedur yang perlu dipatuhi kerana terdapat antaranya mereka adalah dalam kalangan ahli dan bekas ahli majlis.

Jumaat 21-5-2010

Panggil polis kawal keadaan

Dalam pada itu, Ahmad Zaharin ketika mengulas tindakan pihaknya memanggil polis mengawasi demonstrasi berkenaan berkata, keputusan itu dibuat kerana dikhuatiri orang ramai bimbang untuk datang ke sini apabila melihat sedikit kekecohan berlaku di hadapan bangunan tempoh hari.

Katanya, pihaknya memanggil polis sebagai langkah berjaga-jaga kerana dimaklumkan mereka datang untuk berdemonstrasi melibatkan kira-kira 50 orang.

Terdahulu, dalam demonstrasi secara aman di bangunan berkenaan, Setiausaha ILTC, P Gurdip Kaur berkata, pihaknya kesal dan tersinggung apabila sepasukan polis dipanggil untuk mengawal keadaan, biarpun mereka hanya golongan OKU.

Thursday May 20, 2010

Horror trip

Trip to Land Office turns into a nightmare.

I HAVE always been a strong supporter of public awareness, especially when it comes to people with disabilities and the many unnecessary barriers placed before us that prevent us from living a normal life.

Whilst most of my disabled (and even able-bodied) colleagues had at times run out of patience when trying to educate the non-disabled about the needs of the handicapped, I’ve always managed to muster extra patience when dealing with those on the opposite end of the spectrum. Not, however, last Thursday at the Land Office in Gombak, Selangor.

What transpired there was shocking and unacceptable.

A disabled couple – the gentleman, paralysed from his neck down, and his wife, a paraplegic – dropped by the Land Office just before noon. Instead of being attended to immediately, they were largely ignored.

When the flustered couple insisted on seeing the district officer, they were told he was at a meeting in his office. They were asked to go home, make an appointment, and come back another day.

Did these people bother to consider the difficulties the couple faced getting to the Land Office?

According to the couple, the district officer went out at lunchtime and did not even bother to see them. Nobody was assigned to deal with their problem, either.

Things went from bad to worse during their three-hour ordeal.

Even the couple’s personal helpers were not able to help them overcome the obstacles at the Land Office building that ironically bore “disabled-friendly” signage.

The designated carpark for the disabled was too far from the entrance of the building. It was uncovered and visitors in crutches would have a hard time walking to the building.

To exacerbate matters, the handicapped are forced to cross an internal traffic of vehicles. Imagine how scary this can be for someone in crutches or in a wheelchair.

The only carpark that was next to the entrance was reserved for the district officer. It was ironically placed next to the wheelchair ramp.

The wheelchair ramp was much too steep and unsafe for use. It clearly did not follow building guidelines. What’s more, the ramp was wet and slippery, no thanks to water leaking from the roof.

Then came the nightmare of nightmares, especially for women with disabilities.

There was no disabled-friendly loo in the women’s restroom. Instead, disabled women would have to enter the men’s toilet, in full view of the urinals, before they can get into the cubicle to answer nature’s call.

I can’t imagine how an important government building such as the Land Office could subject disabled women to such a violation of their rights and dignity.

When we asked the authorities how they could allow such a thing to happen, they told us the building was about 30 years old and that they lacked funds to provide disabled-friendly toilets for women.

With the number of disabled persons on the increase and Malaysia moving towards an ageing nation status by 2035, we need to ask ourselves: how long are we going to keep on giving the same old excuses of old buildings and lack of funds to keep out a significant number of people who have been wrongfully marginalised?

Is it really a lack of funds or is it just sheer neglect in looking into what is truly important in our policies and where our spending should go?

Discussion with OCPD Rawang Part 2

ILTC

Discussion with OCPD Rawang Part 1

Monday May 17, 2010

Disabled protest over lack of facilities



By STUART MICHAEL
metro@thestar.com.my
Photos by P.NATHAN

ABOUT 15 disabled people held placards and protested over lack of facilities at the Gombak Land Office at Selayang last Friday.

Headed by Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Siva, the disabled were unhappy over the ramp and toilet facilities in the building.

“Although the Gombak Land Office building is about 30 years old, the ramp was built five years ago.

“The ramp is too steep for the disabled to use.

“And water from the air-conditioner on the top floor of the building drops exactly on the ramp pathway making it slippery.

“There is no proper toilet facilities for disabled women while the staff at the information countre were unfriendly towards us,’’ he said.

Anthony Thanasayan, a member of Malaysians Against Discrimination of the Disabled (MADD) and an MBPJ councillor said the employees need to be taught manners and about how to treat the disabled.

“They even had police on standby to intimidate us but we just want our rights and voices to be heard,’’ he said.

When asked on the issue, the Gombak Land Office assistant district Administration officer Sahimin Ghazali said Francis came here demanding to see the district officer.

“Our staff at the counter told him that the district officer was not around and told him to see the Revenue assistant district officer, Norazalawati Md Azizi, instead.

“He wanted his quit rent to be reduced from RM50 annually to about RM5,’’

Norazalawati told him to write a letter and she would forward it to the district officer but he refused.

“Francis still insisted on seeing the district officer and I told him that he was in a meeting,” she said.

“Francis then told he would bring about 50 disabled people to hold a protest at the office. And for safety reasons, we stationed police personnel around in case there were any outward incidents,’’ she said.

Needs of the elderly

Thursday May 13, 2010

Needs of the elderly

Get ready to embrace an ageing population.

I WILL only be 50 years old this November, but I can’t help thinking about what life would be like in our society when we grow older.

I raised this up at three important meetings in three different places. The first was on my home ground at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) where I serve as councillor.

I brought up the issue of elderly persons’ needs at the monthly full board meeting which is attended by the mayor, all the councillors and heads of departments.

I raised this question: “Twenty-five years from now, will we as decision-makers, planners and engineers of our beloved city, be able to smile proudly when we look back at PJ, and say that we had done the needful during our tenure of service to make our environment liveable in order to accommodate us in our old age?

“Do we live and conduct ourselves with the full realisation that we are growing older each day and may one day require special people-friendly facilities? These include covered car parks to protect us from the elements, and toilets wide enough for our children or caregivers to provide some assistance for us.

“What about public parks? Will they continue to be designed only for the fit and young? Or will the outside environment include facilities which enable the elderly to go out and enjoy some fresh air, sunshine and green therapy?”

I was referring to a recent United Nations report that our country is likely to reach an ageing nation status by 2035 with the number of people above the age of 60 reaching 15% of the population.

Welfare Department deputy director-general (Operations) Halijah Yahaya confirmed that the UN statistics was proof that the percentage of ageing people in Malaysia was on the increase.

Incidentally, the United Nations categorises any country with 10% of its population above the age of 60 as an ageing nation.

Speaking at a seminar on caring society in Kuantan, Halijah concluded: “The Government should view seriously the ageing rate among the population because old people have their own requirements.”

I was delighted that no one in MBPJ tried to pretend that enough was being done at the policy level at the moment to include the needs of elderly persons.

Instead, everyone at the full board meeting gave their thumping support to the motion to start planning now so that the city will be ready to embrace more elderly people and their needs in the future.

A similar reaction was received from KTM Berhad in Rawang, Selangor, and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) in Putrajaya.

A group of us in wheelchairs were invited to the local train station to give our input on the present wheelchair-facilities. We found a number of areas where improvements could be made, for example, the toilet doors, uneven pavements and other areas that could pose a hazard to elderly passengers.

KTM Berhad took our suggestions positively and promised to make the necessary changes.

We also had a discussion with the train’s audit access team, and took the opportunity to stress to them the urgency of making the changes now.

At the MOT, we were delighted when Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat also gave the thumbs up to our suggestions. He told us that he himself knew exactly how we felt when he had to use a wheelchair temporarily.

During his meeting with many top guns from the airlines industry, he stressed that disabled and elderly persons should always receive top priority in their services.

The minister said that wheelchairs should be available free-of-charge at airports. He also urged airports to provide special transport vehicles such as ambulifts to carry disabled passengers into the aircraft where aerobridges were not available.

Airports should also consider Deaf passengers during emergencies, he said. Flashing light alarms should be provided at the airport – and even in the restrooms – to warn hearing-impaired passengers if there is a fire as they are unable to hear alarm sirens.

The minister also stressed the need for customer service staff in all airline companies to be trained in assisting disabled passengers.

“They must have some basic understanding of disabilities (and old age problems) and know exactly what to do to make such passengers’ travel comfortable,” added Ong.

One other issue that was raised at the MOT meeting last week was for airports to provide parking lots for the disabled at the entrance, instead of reserving these lots for VIPs.

Helping others is one of the greatest gifts you can give

Helping others is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
Masterskill Student were doing their pratical at ILTC and make a difference in the centre — things happen because of volunteers. Giving back, you just see how important volunteering is and how much it helps you as well as the community. It gives you a sense that you’re doing something good.

Thums-up for the Plaza Masalam

Thumbs-up for the Plaza Masalam

Accessibility for the Disabled - I have noticed Two Accessible Parking spaces located just right next to enterence. Plaza Masalam is located near Tengku Ampuan Zabedah 9/19, Shah Alam near Kayangan.

Ponnai Virumbum.....

Naan Kaanum Ulangangal

Kanmaniye Kathal Enbathu

beautiful song... I feel like flying..
this is real music which touches the soul...
I realy lovE YOu for giving such a nice song

Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai

Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai

Ai Mere Bete

Beautiful song, Kishoreda, you will live in our hearts for ever

Selangor to set up advisory councils

Thursday May 6, 2010

Selangor to set up advisory councils
By ELAN PERUMAL
elan@thestar.com.my

ALL local authorities in Selangor will come under the scrutiny of advisory councils that will check the decisions they make.

The advisory councils are expected to function as independent bodies in the best interest of the people.

State local government committee chairman Ronnie Liu said 12 advisory councils would be created and they would be working very closely with the respective local authorities.

He said the move was aimed at improving the overall performance of the local authorities.

He said members of the advisory councils would comprise volunteers from NGOs and professionals.

“They will be intellects who have ideas about how the local authorities should effectively function. These people will represent the core group from the 10 municipal councils and two city council areas,’’ he told StarMetro in an interview.

Although they would not be involved in day-to-day operations and the decision-making process, Liu said their presence was expected to make a big impact on the functioning of the local councils.

He said the councils would be holding regular meetings with the local authorities where advise would be offered to the local authorities.

“The advistory councils do not have the authority to change decisions at their level but they can advise the councils to do so if they find that a particular decision on an issue was not appropriate.

“The council can advise the local authorities to make amendments when a particular decision had gone seriously wrong and is affecting the image of the local councils.

“They are supposed to be critical and make the local authorities know where they have gone wrong and what should be done to rectify mistakes,’’ he said.

Liu added that advice from the proposed councils could also be sought by the local authorities on issues that they were not so familiar or comfortable with.

He said the function of the advisory councils would be very unique and the local authorities and the ratepayers would be the biggest benefactors.

Liu said the state realised that the introduction of these councils was necessary in view of increasing public expectations on the performance of the local authorities.

“We feel that the local authorities can offer a much improved service to ratepayers and this proposal is aimed at lifting them to a different level.

“The state will continue to find ways to ensure that the people’s interest are protected at the local level and ensure that decisions made by the local authorities will benefit the public,’’ he added.

Meeting with YB. Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat

Yesterday, my fellow advocates Mr. Anthony Thanasayan, Mr. Anthony Stanley and I were invited for a meeting with the YB. Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat who is the Minister of Transport on discussion the facilities for the disabled at all airports in Malaysia. He was listening to our problems and he said yesterday there was still room for improvement in the facilities provided for the physically-challenged.

Transport Ministry Drawing Up Module To Help Physically Impaired At Airports

May 04, 2010 21:25 PM

Transport Ministry Drawing Up Module To Help Physically Impaired At Airports

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 (Bernama) -- The Transport Ministry is to help coordinate the drawing up of a training module to help the physically impaired at airports based on assistance and guidelines from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said Tuesday.

He said the ministry would look into the need to place more wheelchairs and other equipment at airports, including at aerobridges, to provide a more effective and efficient environment for the physically impaired.

The minister said airlines were given the option of using these equipment depending on several factors, among them their financial position.

"I will discuss with the airline operators but I have to know their problems, and what factors prohibited them from using the facilities," he said.

Ong said the time had come to provide standard procedures to handle the needs and wants of the physically impaired so that airline staff were adept at resolving problems associated with the physically impaired.

"We are moving in the direction where standard operating procedures (SOP) are necessary to handle the needs of the physically impaired. As such, the training module is very beneficial to help us attain a benchmark," he said.

"Staff, whether from Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB) or airlines, should be adequately exposed to efforts to handle or entertain the physically impaired.

"This is a specialised field where not only experience but also knowledge is required," he said.

Ong said the government would ensure that the views and opinions of the physically impaired were evaluated and studied before the construction of any project, especially at airports and other public transportation terminals.

"The other day, when I went to look at the progress of work on the integrated public transportation terminal projects in Gombak and Bandar Tasik Selatan, I brought along representatives from the NGOs for the physically impaired to give their views and proposals on facilities for these special people," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Government to improve airport facilities for the disabled

Wednesday May 5, 2010

Government to improve airport facilities for the disabled
PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry will take a “close look” at the facilities for the disabled at airports for improvements to be made.

Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said there was always room for improvement when it came to providing facilities and assistance to the disabled, adding that the training of airline staff and airport personnel in this area was also being planned.

The minister, who held a two-hour discussion with NGOs representing the disabled yesterday, said the Government was committed to providing facilities to every Malaysian.

“Several issues were raised during our discussion and I will see how, together with the relevant authorities, we can improve services at airports and that provided by airline companies.

“We have also taken their views into account and will consider them when we construct airports in the future.

“There is always room for improvement when it comes to providing facilities for the people, including the disabled,” he told reporters yesterday.

Also present were ministry officials and representatives from the Department of Civil Aviation, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Firefly.

Ong said other matters raised were the availability of wheelchairs and ambulifts in airports and the use of aerobridges by airlines, which at present had a choice of whether to use the facility or not.

Lots for the disabled to trade at farmers’ market

Tuesday May 4, 2010

Lots for the disabled to trade at farmers’ market

JOHOR BARU: Disabled people who want to try their hands in business can apply for licences to trade at pasar tani nationwide.

Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) chairman Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin said the organisation was planning to give those who were disabled a chance to learn about trading.

“The opening of special trading lots for them will be a good portal for the disabled to be more independent and make a living for themselves.

“By giving them a place to trade, they will also have the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and trading,” he said.

Service first: Recipients of the Fama Long Service Award posing for a group photograph with Badruddin after the ceremony in Johor Baru.

He was speaking to pressmen after presenting the Fama Long Service Award, which recognises those who have been working in the organisation for between 20 and 30 years. The ceremony was held at a hotel here yesterday.

Badruddin also warned those who were using foreign labour in their businesses to stop doing so.

“Recently, one trader was caught using foreign labour while trading in one of the pasar tani and that is against the Fama contract.

“I advise those who are still using foreign help to stop at once because if caught, their licences will be revoked,” he said.

He encouraged traders to employ local workers to help them at their stalls at the pasar tani.

“This way, the workers can learn the ups and downs of the trade and hopefully one day, they themselves will have their own business too,” he said.

He disclosed that Fama aimed to increase the number of pasar tani in the country to 400.

“There are 364 pasar tani to-date with a total of 17,300 traders. We aim to open another 36 by the end of this year,” he said.

He added that the agency was targetting 20,000 people to be involved in pasar tani activities by the end of the year

Fundraising Activities for ILTC

OUR SPECIAL ONES which was held at the Mid Valley Mega Mall in Kuala Lumpur recently organized and presented by D’ Organiser (M) Sdn Bhd with one objective to promote an understanding of disability issues and to create public awareness by bringing forward the difficulties encountered by our special ones together bringing in the latest technology of products and aids.

MEMORANDUM OF PROTEST

TAN SRI MUSA HASSAN
KETUA POLIS NEGARA
POLIS DIRAJA MALAYSIA

Thursday, April 22, 2010

MEMORANDUM OF PROTEST

On 4.3.2010, Mr. Karuppannan S/O Veeramalai is wheelchair-bound was harshly assaulted and verbal attacked by KTMB Commuter Driver due to a verbal confrontation for disabled parking lot. He had made a police report at Subang Jaya (No. Report : Subang Jaya/001864/10) against KTMB Commuter Driver to get protection.

In fact, after the incident happened on March 4, the police have not got back to us. We want justice to be served.

There have been no action to be taken against attacker who treated the disabled unlawfully attacked since and this is unacceptable on human dignity and discrimination against a disabled person.

We Disabled community in Malaysia has always worked towards helping all disabled persons achieve independence and to lead a fulfilled and complete life. The Disabled have never asked for pity or sympathy. We only ask for equal opportunities to fully participate in the life of our nation, just like able-bodied citizens.

However, we the Disabled cannot and will not tolerate, in assaulted, insults and mockery directed or in directed at them; these kinds of behaviour are nothing but an attempt to isolate and relegate the disabled to the fringes of society.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, DEMAND:

A) TO CALL FOR SERIOUS ACTION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THE COMMUTER DRIVER AT STATION KTMB SUBANG JAYA FOR ATTACKING THE MR. KARUPPANNAN AND ALSO ATTEMPTING TO INJURE A DISABLED PERSON.

B) TO CALL UPON THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE TO INVESTIGATE AGAINST THE UNLAWFUL ACT OF THE KTMB OFFICERS AGAINST THE DISABLED.

C) TO DEMAND THAT THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF ALL DISABLED PERSONS MUST BE RESPECTED AND PROTECTED, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE TO MAKE A LIVING AT ALL TIMES.

The disabled are targeted by criminals

CRIMINALS are coming up with more devious ways to rob unsuspecting victims. What is more troubling is that they have no qualms about targeting the disabled and the elderly.

It is regrettable that the handicapped are becoming targets of criminals because we are considered easy prey,

Here are some of the suggestions made by the ILTC:

• The crime fighting force +
• Should be better educated about the needs of the handicapped.
• Set up special hotlines for the disabled and the elderly so that they can get immediate response when they are in trouble.

• When the police make their rounds in the neighbourhood, they should take a special interest in homes where people with disabilities live, especially those who live alone.

ENDORSED BY:

1) INDEPENDENT LIVING & TRAINING CENTRE (ILTC)

2) MALAYSIAN ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR THE DISABLED AND ELDERLY ASSOCIATION (Petpositive)

Handing over of Memorandum of Protest

ILTC disabled activist hand over a Memorandum of Protest to TAN SRI MUSA HASSAN, KETUA POLIS NEGARA on Thursday 22/04/2010 at 10.00am at the office Bukit Aman Police Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur.

The memorandum is pertaining to a violent against physical disabled person - unlawful attacked Mr. Karuppannan s/o Veeramalai (wheelchair bound) by KTMB commuter driver at station KTMB Subang Jaya.

Senior citizen injured by faulty escalator

Senior citizen injured by faulty escalator



A senior citizen fell at an escalator located in KOMTAR. He suffered a head injury. While investigating the cause of the accident, CJ Jimmy Leow found that the escalator hand rail was faulty. The hand rail stopped while the escalator was moving. A maintenance staff said that they have requested PDC to repair the said problem but the approval did not come. The maintenance staff mentioned that he submitted the request about 2 months ago. A shopper said that such accident has occurred several times. CJ Jimmy Leow contacted Ng Wei Aik, Adun Komtar to get some clarification. Ng said that he was told by another reporter of this incident, and he promised to look into this matter. Video by Jimmy Leow Beng Hock, Citizen Journalist ... Read More... as told by another reporter of this incident, and he promised to look into this matter. Video by Jimmy Leow Beng Hock, Citizen Journalist

Article - Tamil Nesan

OKU MINTA KPN SIASAT KES LELAKI TENDANG KERUSI RODA

VIMARSANAM

Destitute in Bukit Beruntung

Poverty hit families continue to look for ways to make ends meet even as political parties pump money into the constituency to garner support.

Malaysiakini visited two Indian families in Bukit Beruntung to see how they are coping with life.

A 19-year old youth N Anbalagan is paralysed from waist down since birth has never stepped his foot into a school.

"I would love to study but my disabilities prohibits me from doing so," he said when met at his home in Taman Sentosa, Bukit Beruntung.

Reported by K Pragalath

Airlines Urged To Waive Wheelchair Charge

Airlines Urged To Waive Wheelchair Charge

PETALING JAYA, April 15 (Bernama) -- The Transport Ministry has urged airlines to waive the wheelchair charge during flights.

Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said he would be meeting the airlines and associations for the disabled (OKU) to discuss the matter.

"Airlines should be sensitive to the plight of OKU by improving facilities," he told reporters after visiting Sungai Buloh KTM commuter station here on Thursday.

Ong said Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) would build 53 portable ramps worth RM106,000 at commuter stations for the benefit of OKU.

Four portable ramps would be at KL Sentral station while 49 others would be placed at other stations.

KTMB is spending RM10 million on building infrastructure for OKU at stations in Bandar Tasik Selatan, Serdang, Shah Alam, Rawang and Sungai Buloh.

-- BERNAMA

OUR SPECIAL ONES

OUR SPECIAL ONES

23rd - 25th April 2010
Mid Valley Exhibition Centre
Level 3, Hall 3, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

OUR SPECIAL ONES will be organized and presented by D’ Organiser (M) Sdn Bhd with one objective to promote an understanding of disability issues and to create public awareness by bringing forward the difficulties encountered by our special ones together bringing in the latest technology of products and aids.

OUR SPECIAL ONES will bring together all with Development Disability (eg. Autism, Down Syndrome), Mobility and Physical Impairments, Spinal Cord Disability, Brain Disability, Vision Disability, Hearing Disability, Cognitive or Learning Disabilities, Mental Disabilities and Psychological Disorders.

OUR SPECIAL ONES will bring in international as well as local exhibitors and associations to showcase their products and services offering practical solutions to aid and improve an independent lifestyle of the disabled.

OUR SPECIAL ONES will also be supported by various Organisations and Governmental Bodies and various sponsors to bring OUR SPECIAL ONES to another level which in return will create OUR SPECIAL ONES to be an annual event.

OUR SPECIAL ONES will be targeted at the general visitors, locally, regionally and internationally. This will be a great unity among our families of Malaysia as 1Malaysia to join hands and allow OUR SPECIAL ONES to appreciate and experience meaning of acceptance and also to help them face different types of barriers from participation in school, adapting to work life as well as social activities.

Our special Ones will be an eye opener for everyone, as the event will be first of its kind and this has never been done within Malaysia or around the region.

“Through education and increased public awareness, we can foster understanding, acceptance and appreciation with autism” Dr. Richard Burton, the Health and Human Services Director

Our Special Thanks for Your Support for

OUR SPECIAL ONES

Flashback: Images From the ILTC's Folder

Flashback: Images From the ILTC's Folder A meeting for exchanging of our views.

April 12, 2010 00:29 AM

Malaysia Signs Global Declaration On Parkinson's Disease

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia became a signatory of the Global Declaration on Parkinson's disease today, reaffirming the government's commitment towards the sufferers.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the government was fully aware of the sufferings of the Parkinson's community.

"Awareness programmes which highlight the plight of Parkinson's disease patients is an important first step towards improving care and support for them.

"I hope the signing of the Global Declaration on Parkinson's disease today and celebration of World Parkinson's Day 2010 will signify the beginning of a better tomorrow for the Malaysian Parkinson's community," he said after signing the declaration, here, Sunday night.

Also present were the CEO of Yayasan Budi Penyayang Datuk Lela Mohd Ali, expert on Parkinson's brain surgery and consultant neurosurgeon Prof Tipu Aziz and Negeri Sembilan Parkinson's Society president Gharizah Hashim.

Liow said, with the signing of the declaration, Malaysia had now joined 14 other countries such as Australia, India, Canada, Switzerland and the United States which had signed the declaration.

The declaration calls on global leaders and healthcare providers to take strong and decisive action in implementing effective management of strategies to enable patients to live a better life.

Liow in his speech said patients in the country had access to appropriate care and treatment at both government and private hospitals.

"Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder that mainly affects elderly people. It leads to slowness of movement, uncontrollable trembling of the hands and body stiffness.

"There is presently no treatment that can either cure or slow down the progression of Parkinson's disease and patients have to endure physical and mental disabilities for their entire live," he said.

At a press conference later, Liow said it was estimated that 15,000 to 20,000 Malaysians suffered from Parkinson's disease.

He said the figure was expected to rise to 25,000 to 30,000 by 2020 and at least 1,500 new cases occurred each year.

"In terms of specialist manpower, the currently proposed norm for Malaysia is one neurologist for every 250,000 people.

"With an estimated population of 28 million in 2009, we need 112 neurologists. But presently we have only 52 in the country," he said.

-- BERNAMA