Budget 2009: RM150 allowance for the disabled 'not enough'

Saturday, August 30, 2008

The News Strait Times - NST Online

Budget 2009: RM150 allowance for the disabled 'not enough' The disabled are restricted by the lack of disabled-friendly infrastructure in the country.

KUALA LUMPUR: The disabled have described Budget 2009 as "insulting" and "terrible".

They said the RM150 monthly allowance for those unable to work is a pittance. Malaysian Animal-Assisted The-rapy for the Disabled and Elderly president Anthony Thanasayan said they had expected at least RM500 for all disabled people, irrespective of whether they were working.

"The amount is so little, you might as well not give it. Those bedridden and in wheelchairs require a lot of money for medical fees.

"A set of five bandages for pressure sores costs RM80 and it only lasts three days. How far will RM150 go?" Anthony asked.

Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Siva said it was disheartening that the budget failed to address mobility issues.

He stressed that disabled people were not lazy and wanted to be independent but they were restricted by the lack of disabled-friendly infrastructure in the country.

"How will we earn a decent living and be independent if a chunk of our salary goes towards transport?"

Anthony and Francis, however, agreed that the government's multi-pronged approach to combat poverty was a good start.

Associate Professor Dr Sulochana Nair, who is also director for the Centre of Poverty and Development Studies, Universiti Malaya, said there must be a "means-tested methodology" of reaching out to the target groups.

"We must be able to trace the aid to ensure that it reaches the right people."

For Centre for Orang Asli Concerns coordinator Colin Nicholas, the issue is "leakage" during the disbursement process.

He said the allocated sum had in the past gone into improving infrastructure and administration and not enhancing the quality of life.

The government has allocated RM160 million in assistance to Orang Asli under Budget 2009.

For pensioner Wong King Voon, 61, the RM70 increase in his pension to RM720 is too small.

"What can you do with an extra RM70? And despite the exemption for electricity bills payments of RM20 or less, I would still have to pay my electricity bill of about RM100 a month."