National Unity Consultative Council should have a representative from the disabled

Nation

Published: Tuesday November 26, 2013 MYT 5:43:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday November 26, 2013 MYT 7:17:33 PM

National Unity Consultative Council should have a representative from the disabled

BY TAN YI LIANG

PETALING JAYA: The recently-launched National Unity Consultative Council should include an appointee representing people with disabilities (PWD) in Malaysia, said Damai Disabled Persons Association president V Murugeswaran.

"Maybe the Prime Minister should re-look the appointments to allow a PWD to sit on the council to offer the viewpoints of Malaysia's PWDs. 

“I am concerned that out of the 27 people appointed, no one is representing the PWD community," he said to Star online.

He added that the Consultative Council was a good platform that is needed in Malaysia. 

The Council was launched on Monday is headed by Employees Provident Fund chairman Tan Sri Samsuddin Osman, with social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye serving as the council's deputy president.

Other members include Malaysian Bar Council immediate past president Lim Chee Wee and Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir.

However Dewan Negara senator and Malaysian Confederation for the Disabled secretary Bathmavati Krishnan said there was no need for a PWD on the council.

"National unity cannot be taken like a chemical formula of components combined together and dressed up. It comes from mutual respect between the races where you see each other as Malaysians first.

"We should also learn the languages of other cultures, and this would promote unity in a working situation. Why must unity be limited to an appointed council," said Bathmavati.

She added that while she was not skeptical of the council, one could not legislate for unity. 

"We actually do not need this council, as you cannot just sit down and say that we must have unity," said Bathmavati.

Bathmavati pointed out that currently, almost all non-governmental organisations representing the interests of Malaysia's PWDs, such as Beautiful Gate, United Voice, and the Independent Living and Training Centre assisted all PWDs regardless of their race. 

"All their programs are organised for disabled persons of all races.

“We a microcosm of a multicultural society without realising it. Almost all of us cater for all races and we promote national unity in our way," she said.