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 at JPJ Wangsa Maju
ILTC Malaysia members staged a protest outside JPJ Wangsamaju KL.
Disabled group’s protest disabled drivers required to produce doc's medical report.
Thursday 25 August 2011
Our women 'a force for unity'
Keeping this in mind the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has chosen "Women: A Force for Unity" as the theme for this year's National Women's Day.
"We want to convey that women are powerful agents of peace and unity.
"As women, we pledge individually and institutionally to strengthen and safeguard our rights.
"An empowered woman is an asset to herself, her family and her country," said Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil in a recent interview.
This year's National Women's Day honours the outstanding achievements of two women through The Prime Minister's Award for Woman Entrepreneur and The Prime Minister's Award for Woman Social Activist.
The celebration also highlights the ministry's achievements over the years.
Particularly significant is a policy which requires a minimum of 30 per cent women at decision-making level in the public sector beginning 2004.
Since then, the number of women in decision-making positions has almost tripled.
Of particular significance is the increase of women officials at the JUSA (premier grade) level from 18.8 per cent in 2004 to 32.3 per cent last year.
Women in Malaysia have come a long way. Many of them are holding high positions as rectors and vice- chancellors of public universities, secretaries-general of ministries and Syariah court judges. Even Bank Negara governor and the Securities Commission chairman are women.
The ministry was also instrumental in the 2002 amendment to the Pensions Act 1980 which allows widowers who remarry to continue receiving pension and the Land (Group Settlement Areas) Act 1960 which allows wives or ex-wives or the settler's heirs to be part of land schemes and to become land owners.
In the area of women's health, the ministry has worked tirelessly to promote a healthy lifestyle, including mammogram testing for early detection of breast cancer. To make mammogram available to all women, including the poor, a subsidy of RM50 per person was introduced for those earning below RM5,000 a month over the age of 45.
This subsidy was given added value when the ministry came up with another scheme where external breast prostheses and special brassieres were made available to breast cancer patients. The scheme came with a government allocation of RM4.3 million a year.
The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007 was the result of continuous advocacy and the ministry continued to raise the issue until the Attorney-General and Home Affairs Ministry were asked to draft an act.
The act was passed in Parliament in 2007 and the ministry was put in charge to protect and rehabilitate trafficked victims who are women and children.
To date, three shelters have been set up for such victims.
Other notable achievements include amendment of immigration law where children born overseas to Malaysian women and their foreign husbands are awarded citizenship; amendment of the Penal Code to increase the penalty for rape to a maximum of 30 years' jail, 15 years for incest and if the victim dies, the death sentence.
The National Women Policy and Women's Development Action Plan was passed on July 22, 2009, and launched by the prime minister on Aug 29, 2009. It aimed to accelerate the achievement of gender equality in line with the country's international commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Beginning mid-October last year, the government had extended maternity leave of civil servants from 42 days to 90 days.
The appointment of senior officers as Gender Focal Points (GFP) at all ministries is also a hallmark of the ministry's efforts over the years. As GFPs, these officers will assist the ministry in ensuring that gender equality is implemented within all government agencies.
Full of Kar1sma
Full of Kar1sma
By Farrah Naz Karimfarrah@nst.com.my
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (centre), flanked by his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, with representatives of groups who will get aid under the Kar1sma programme in Putrajaya yesterday. — NST picture by Izhari Ariffin
He said the poor, elderly, handicapped, single mothers and underprivileged groups would benefit from monthly payouts of between RM100 and RM450.
The programme also set aside RM4.1 million for about 2,000 widows of military personnel and policemen.
Described as a “newly branded welfare programme for the people”, Kar1sma will provide skills training for the said groups to improve their lives and instil independence in them.
“We have people who need help. If there are no government intervention programmes like this, they will be sidelined. “This is one of the pillars of Gagasan 1Malaysia in upholding social justice.
These people will not only be helped financially, they will also be given new skills and mindsets to help themselves and contribute to the countr y.” Najib said the programmewas initiated under the Government Transformation Programme to ensure these people were not left out of the nation ’s growth.
While some countries reduced allocations for pensioners and welfare programmes, he said, Malaysia not only continued to help the needy, but also increased funds for them.
“We will reach out to about 500,000 people. Don’t make one-off contributions and go around telling the whole world about it.
“The Barisan Nasional government is committed to helping underprivileged Malaysians on a monthly basis.
“This shows our commitment to the people and that we will uphold social justice.” Last year, the government spent RM1.2 billion, through welfare programmes, to help 424,000 people.
The largest group of recipients are senior citizens, who make up 30 per cent.
Present were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and representatives of groups who will receive the aid.
Shahrizat said the programme would help the underprivileged break out of their cycle of hardship.
She added that the programme complemented other government initiatives, including health benefits for the needy.
In identifying the recipients, she said the ministry, through its agencies, stressed on the efficiency of application processes, including removing red tape.
Read more: Full of Kar1sma http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/FullofKar1sma/Article/#ixzz1W2CZEXs8Be more helpful
Thursday August 25, 2011
Be more helpful
Do not turn a blind eye to the needs of the visually impaired.
LIVING life as a blind person is something few people understand, except for the blind themselves. Blindness can strike anyone at any time, with little or no warning. When it happens to an adult, the experience is often devastating.
But it isn’t only the blind person who suffers. The trauma is also frequently and deeply felt by family members and loved ones of the affected individual.
For those who lose their sight when they are much older, coping with blindness is not easy at all.
My friend, Yam Tong Woo, 57, from Sungai Buloh, Selangor, knows about the condition all too well when he suddenly became blind three years ago.
We were chatting about it only last week. He remembers the incident as if it took place yesterday.
Yam was working in Kunming, China, as the general manager of a heavy machinery company when he fell ill and lost his eyesight.
“My life was plunged into total darkness and the future looked bleak,” said Yam.
Unfortunately, the doctors he sought were of no great help.
“I approached a well-known association for the blind for help on how to cope with blindness, but the association wasn’t much of a help,” Yam lamented.
He started looking for answers himself. The Internet proved to be a lifeline in times of crisis.
“I learnt how to use the white cane which is a very important aid for those who are newly blind,” Yam pointed out.
“Later I discovered how very different it is for disabled people in overseas countries. In Australia, for instance, the government takes a special interest in looking into the needs of aging blind citizens. No one is denied help, no matter how old they are, especially if they are people with disabilities.
“Regardless of an individual’s age, everyone is given a fair chance to be rehabilitated. In Australia, losing one’s sight at 54 is considered young,” said Yam.
Counselling for the blind is virtually unavailable in Malaysia.
“Even our NGOs don’t provide such a service. As a result, many newly blind people and their caregivers do not get the support and advice they need to cope with their condition.
“Assistive technology for the blind – such as screen reader software that converts text to speech in order for the blind to access the Internet – is much too expensive for the blind.”
Yam said this sad state of affairs is regretful when information technology is meant to empower the blind so that they can live independently. With National Day round the corner, Yam has the following three wishes for the blind community:
> There should be support for the elderly who lose their sight. It is even more traumatic for the blind person and his family members, if they do not get proper support and counselling. The various NGOs – as well as government centres – should buck up and provide a help centre for such persons.
> Doctors should arm themselves with knowledge on the blind. Every blind person who comes to them for help should be directed to the local NGOs. Every eye doctor should be trained on how to deal with blind people, instead of just treating their condition. Showing compassion alone doesn’t really help a blind person.
> The environment – both outside and inside buildings – should be made blind-friendly by the local councils. Members of the public should also play a supportive role and treat the blind like human beings and not aliens from outer space. Be courteous and do not knock into them in crowded places.
Always respect the white cane which is an international symbol of the blind.
When in a lift, allow the blind to get in first and get out as well. And when you see the blind trying to find their way about, always come forward to help instead of just staring at them.
RM1.4b fund to help the needy
Thursday August 25, 2011
RM1.4b fund to help the needy
By ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD
zuhrinazam@thestar.com.my
PUTRAJAYA: A RM1.4bil fund to help the underprivileged has been launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The 1Malaysia People's Welfare Programme, or Karisma, is expected to benefit about 500,000 people, comprising senior citizens, the disabled, children and single mothers.
He said the recipients would each receive between RM100 and RM450 per month.
“I am also happy to announce that widows of policemen and soldiers are also eligible for aid.
“This is the Government's appreciation to the Armed Forces and policemen for their contributions and sacrifices,” he said during the launch of the programme at his office here yesterday.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
Under the Karisma programme, RM332mil is allocated to the disabled, RM290mil to underprivileged children, RM455mil to senior citizens, RM4.1mil to widows of police and army personnel and RM303mil to fund community-based programmes.
Najib said the initiative was part of the Government's continuing efforts to improve the standard of living of the poor and ensure that no Malaysian was excluded from enjoying the country's wealth.
He added that the programme was the Government's initiative to uphold social justice, which was one of the main pillars of the 1Malaysia concept.
“We have changed the direction and focus of the Government through the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and we have identified a large part of our community that needs help so they can become independent.
“The underprivileged represents a large group of the community and without government intervention, they will remain marginalised and we will have failed to uphold social justice,” he added.
Najib said while the economic growth of certain countries had contracted and others were slashing the pensions of their retirees and welfare aid, Malaysia has been able to provide, and even increase, financial aid to the underprivileged.
“We in Malaysia are not only able to carry on with the (welfare) programmes but also provide higher allocations for the needy.
“I hope that those who receive aid will be inspired with new hope, skills and spirit so that they will be able to contribute to their future and that of the country,” Najib said.
Shahrizat said some 2,000 widows of policemen and servicemen would benefit from the programme.
She added that this group would also be provided with a launching grant to start their own businesses.