Wheelchair Protest At Police Station

Note: A true story from courtesy of Petpositive.

Press conference in Brickfields

NEARLY TWO DOZEN animal activists made their way to the police station to express their outrage and condemnation over a picture that has been wildly and widely circulating on the Internet recently where two youths are seen showing their finger and holding a strangled pup by a string.

Cruel and defiant: Just a joke?

The young men are smiling over the camera in shameless defiance over their action - as if to say that the killing of the innocent puppy was a notable achievement in one of their latest exploits.

The protest took place at the Brickfields police station in Kuala Lumpur at 10.30 this morning.

The police report and the press conference held immediately after was put together by several non-governmental organisations that champion animal rights and welfare in the country.

They are Roar, Maw, ILTC and Petpositive.

More than half a dozen of the protesters were persons in wheelchairs.

Speaking on behalf of Petpositive and the disabled group who were present, Anthony SB Thanasayan decried the act as a shocking and shameless act.

Shenaaz: Barbaric act

"What did the puppy do to deserve such cruelty?" he demanded. "A tiny and vulnerable pup like that could never have been a danger to anyone and it could have grown up and trained into a dog that could help the disabled or offer special companionship to the elderly.

Thanasayan is President of Petpositive, a national animal-assisted therapy society that uses pets as special friends for the handicapped and seniors.

"It's a most barbaric act," said Shenaaz Khan from Maw (Malaysian Animal Welfare). "The Department of Veterinary Services also deserves blame for being lackadaisical over animal cruelty issues resulting in monsters like this who can get away with murder realising that no one will come after them." She added.

Speaking for Roar, N Surendran described the incident as one of the worst in the country. He put the blame on the Government for not taking animal rights and welfare seriously.

Apart from the animal rights groups, there were also several lawyers who were animal lovers present.

Surihani's tweet

It is understood from one of the lawyers present that the picture first appeared on popular Malaysian actress Lisa Surihani's tweet. When the lawyer confronted Surihani on her tweet for details, the actress apparently refused to respond.

The protesters want the police to investigate on this case by questioning Surihani on relevant information in order to bring the culprits to justice.

The media who turned up at the press conference included The Star, The New Straits Times Press and Sinar.

Bernama TV also showed up and conducted an interview at the site.

Please write in and tell us what you think about the whole issue.

We have already received numerous reactions on our mobile and in Facebook.

Here are some of them:

"I came across your Blog through the Malaysiakini portal and was very upset watching the youths with the hanged puppy next to them.

I am an animal lover and have saved the lives of lots of dogs and cats. What can I do to protect animal rights in the country?"

> Zaid.

"I feel like hanging the youths just to see how they feel!"

> Grace Tan.

"They should be charged appropriately..and if I had it my way hung by their testicles!"

> Captain Isyak Ghani.

"Words cannot express how I feel just looking at the photograph. My hubby and kids are equally upset. These 2 youths will suffer for what they have done. Let God deal with them..it is an innocent life that they have taken and no one has a right to do so. Whoever who recognise these 2 should shun them for the shameful thing that they have done."

> Wendy Goh.

"What kind of a sick society are we becoming into?"

> Inderjeet Kaur

"Cruel!!!"

> Puvaneswari Narayanasamy

"I'm at a lost for words!"

> Maggie Mala Krish Muru

"Oh God...when who and where, why??"

> Daniya Subramaniam

Wednesday October 6, 2010

Basic disable-friendly amenities needed in public places

By YEE XIANG YUN

JOHOR BARU: Handicapped businessman Low Yuen Nien wants basic amenities for the disabled to access public buildings freely.

The 47-year-old who is wheel chair bound, said he lost the ability to

walk when he was three due to polio.

“Banks, shopping complexes and government buildings should install rams and have designated parking spots for the convenience of physically-impaired people.

Commendable: Low (in wheelchair) showing a certificate he received in 2000 after being chosen as tokoh for OKU while his wife Lydia Tay and Michael Tay look on.

“A lot of my friends who are physical challenged share the same frustration on the lack of disable-friendly amenities at most places here,” he said during a press conference organised by Johor Baru MCA Public Complains Bureau deputy chief Michael Tay recently.

Low urged the government and authorities to design OKU-friendly parking lots and entrance in future projects.

“Sometimes when I visit the hospital, I get told off by the security guard for parking my car near the entrance as there are no designated parking spot for the disabled.

“I feel disheartened and disappointed by the situation and I hope such circumstances will be improved soon.

“I still rely greatly on my wife and friends to manoeuvre my wheel chair whenever there are no rams installed at certain buildings,” he said.

The father of four added that laws should be enforced and fines should be imposed on those who misused parking spaces for the disable.

Speaking on Low’s plight, Tay said he had forwarded a letter to the authorities on Low’s behalf.

“I have sent a letter requesting for more amenities to be installed at public buildings to make life easier for people with such difficulties.

“I hope that that the request would be seriously considered as disabled people want to lead a normal life and be independent too,” he said.

Tay said letters have been forwarded to local councils in the state.

Group demand for disabled-friendly facilities

Saturday October 16, 2010

Group demand for disabled-friendly facilities

By CHOONG MEK ZHIN

A GROUP of Ampang’s physically disabled residents are demanding for disabled-friendly facilities such as special parking lots and ramps at banks in the area.

Though the banks provide priority counters for the disabled, those who are in wheelchairs are not able to get to it due to the lack of ramps.

Due to this the group is unable to collect their monthly disability allowance from the government, which is put directly into their bank accounts. In dire need: (Back row, from right) Tnew, Lee and Lee’s assistant Ba Lee with the disabled residents.

“We usually wait outside while someone from the bank help us withdraw our money,” 40-year-old Wan Siew Ming said, adding that it was also difficult to access public facilities such as transport and playgrounds.

“When I take my 11-year-old child to the playground, I have to wait at the side of the field due to some metal barriers that is built to prevent motorcycles,” Wan said.

He also said that installing disabled friendly facilities were provided for under both the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and Uniform Building by laws.

“I wonder how the local council approved the construction of these business and commercial areas that do not follow the given guidelines particularly when it comes to the disabled?” Wan said.

Most of them have also experienced at one time or another, inconsiderate members of the public who misuse the limited disabled parking facilities and car stickers.

Another resident Tan Lay Har wrote in to one of the local banks in a letter on Aug 6 but he has not received any reply so far.

As a last resort, the group approached Teratai assemblyman Jenice Lee for assistance.

Lee said that she would contact the banks and assist in applying for disabled parking lots to be made available in front of the banks.

“I will also contact MPAJ and ask for better enforcement on the laws that provide for the disabled. I also urge people to think of others and be more sensitive to the needs of the disabled by not misusing facilities meant for them,” she said, adding that some people needed to be more civic-minded.

Councillor Jennifer Tnew said that she will refer the matter to the Building and Architecture Department and expediate matters of modifying business premises to make it more disabled friendly.

Below you can see some pictures of the groundbreaking ceremony of the Independent Living and Training Centre event in Rawang, Selangor.

Thursday October 14, 2010

First brick laid for new building for the disabled

LAST Friday, a ground-breaking ceremony which was like no other, took place in Rawang, Selangor. Nearly 150 people gathered at Kampung Sungai Tambahan Dua to witness the laying of the first brick of a brand new building that would bring hope to the disabled community.

Nearly half of the crowd were people with physical disabilities. I was there, too.

With their wheelchairs, walking sticks and crutches, about 60 disabled guests braved the narrow roads and rough tracks leading to an empty site surrounded by thick grass, shrubs and trees.

It is here that the disabled centre will be built. The force behind this project is an NGO called the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) which has been operating at a rented building about 2km away.

The new piece of land was given to the centre in 2005 by former Rawang assemblyman Datuk Tang See Hang. To date the ILTC has collected RM380,000 and needs another RM570,000 to make up the RM950,000 needed for the building.

Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar (right) about to lay the first brick for the new building for the Independent Living and Training Centre.

The new disabled centre has turned out to be timely for the ILTC group as the owners of their present premises want the building back. It’s now a race against time to complete the centre as they have to move out by August next year.

The groundbreaking ceremony was a simple affair. It was officiated by Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

Set up in 2000, the ILTC currently has close to a dozen citizens. Residents stay at the centre for a period of time to learn independent living skills. These include taking care of themselves and picking up new skills such as driving, cooking and computer training. These services are provided free of charge.

ILTC founder and president Francis Siva, 50, has been paralysed from the neck down following a driving accident about 25 years ago. He spent more than five years in the hospital after the accident. He was depressed and suicidal until he met two other patients who taught him the value of life.

One was a terminally ill young man on the bed to his right. He had wanted so much to live but cancer took his life the week after.

The other, a patient on his left, was worse off than Francis because he could not move his body at all. And yet he remained cheerful throughout until he died.

It took Francis a good two years to fight off his depression. When he came out of it, he reorganised his life and moved on to form the ILTC.

Francis now runs the ILTC together with help from his secretary, Gurdip Kaur, who also uses a wheelchair.

With this new building in the pipeline, the disabled can look forward to another new chapter in their lives.

Those who are able to help, can contact Francis (019-338 5959) or visit iltcmalaysia.blogspot.com or e-mail: iltcmalaysia@gmail.com.

ILTC CENTRE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

SELANGOR EXCO MEMBER YB. DR. XAVIER JAYAKUMAR kept his promise to disabled group ILTC in Rawang and turned up to officiate the groundbreaking ceremony for our new centre.

Other politicians just say they are coming and send a representative afterwards.
The handicapped community were thrilled by his presence. YB. Dr. Xavier Jayakumar officiating the groundbreaking ceremony of the ILTC event in Rawang, Selangor. It was attended by several dozens people with disabilities.

ILTC CENTRE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY: YB Dr Xavier Jayakumar signing the guestbook at yesterday's event.

Not only did he make it a point to shake each of the hands with the disabled community present, he also promised follow up measures in support of ILTC's efforts.

Japanese Foreign Students From Sapporo City University (Japan) Visited ILTC

Recently on September 23, 2010 we had another opportunity to meet the two dozen Japanese foreign students from Sapporo City University.
They were visited ILTC and donated 3 units of wheelchairs to the ILTC members – Coordinated by ONO Natsuyo - Associate Professor (Nursing Science) Sapporo City University.
We had opportunities to interact with Japanese students.
During the time no matter how different the language, we feel that we were able to understand each other because we wanted to communicate with them. We want to express our appreciation and extremely proud of their generosity of the Japanese students who helped to donated 3 units of wheelchair to needy’s. On the day, we have shared our experiences and struggling to create a basic fundamental rights society in Malaysia towards disabled person.

A Fruitful Meeting with Persatuan Mekar Naluri (Malarum Nenjanggal)

On 23rd September 2010, we had a fruitful meeting with Persatuan Mekar Naluri (Malarum Nenjanggal) is a charity group established by a group of youths in Puchong, Selangor; for the purpose of the care and development of underprivileged homes, disabled persons; single parents and poor families with the motive of .........
"Help The Helpless". Since its inception, Persatuan Mekar Naluri has helped numerous homes and centres in improving their activies and lives by providing manpower and social services. On behalf of ILTC, we are pleased to inform that, Malarum Nenjanggal Management Committee has decided to organize a “Charity Cultural Show” to be held on the 4th December 2010 (Saturday) – 8.00pm. – SJK © Han Ming Hall, Batu 14, 47100 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan. The main aim of organizing this programme is to raise fund towards maintaining our training centre and also in aid of building fund of our organization.

Paper Article - China Press

China Press - 25/09/2010

Paper Article - Malaysia Nanban

Malaysia Nanban - 25/09/2010

Paper Article - Sinar Harian

Sinar Harian - Sabtu 25, September 2010

Respect all life

Thursday September 30, 2010

Respect all life
Group draws attention to the rights and welfare of animals under our care.

LAST week, a group of disabled folks from Selangor took a bold step to do something that had never been done before. They drew public attention to an important issue –the need for all Malaysians to respect and protect the rights and welfare of animals.

The issue arose after nine pedigree canines were put to sleep by the Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL) on Sept 19.

Fed up with the lackadaisical attitude towards the welfare of animals, the handicapped decided to do something about it.

They wanted to meet with the MDKL president personally to impress upon him why dogs are Man’s best friends.

They also wanted to stress that the MDKL should have made every effort to save and retrain the animals instead of putting them down.

A dozen people with varying types of disabilities packed themselves and their foldable wheelchairs into two special vans last Friday.

They started off from Rawang and took nearly two hours to reach MDKL’s headquarters.

It was one challenge after another for the team from the word “Go!”

The first obstacle was to get everyone to meet at one venue early in the morning.

A few of them had cars and motorcycles, and managed without too much difficulty. The rest had to hire taxis. Some of the taxi drivers made a fuss about having to put the foldable wheelchairs into the boot of their car.

Many had to wake up an hour or two earlier so they could be at the pick-up point on time. They had to feed their companion pets first before leaving.

Several of the parking lots reserved for the disabled at public restrooms along the way to MDKL were taken up by able-bodied drivers even though there were wheelchair signs at these parking space. As a result, they had to use parking lots meant for the able-bodied.

The situation was no better when they arrived at the MDKL. The only two car parks for the disabled were occupied by the council’s staff. The group had to wait until the staff moved their cars.

Inside the building, there were no disabled-friendly toilets. The visitors prayed that they would be able to sit through the event without having to use the toilet.

However, the group were pleased that they were able to meet the president.

They wasted no time in expressing their disappointment that authorities such as the Department of Veterinary Services was not involved in the removal of the dogs from an abandoned farm.

The veterinarians would have been in the best position to assess each animal and its behaviour.

Even if one or two were found to be aggressive, the DVS would have known how to sedate, remove and rehabilitate them later, before giving up all hope.

The group went to great lengths to explain to the council how each of the dead dogs, which included Rottweilers, Dalmatians and a boxer, could have easily found loving homes because they were pedigrees.

Former councillor for the Selayang municipality, Gurdip Kaur, a wheelchair user who has a pedigree service dog of her own, pointed out that with proper training, any one of the canines could have been successfully paired off with an elderly or handicapped person.

Francis Siva, who is paralysed from the neck down, said that Rottweilers were not “dangerous dogs” as mistakenly assumed by some people.

Serving as adviser to Petpositive, an animal-assisted therapy organisation for the disabled and the elderly, Francis said the breed was being used by several members of the society as therapy canines to help improve their quality of life.

“When dogs attack, it is almost always the owners who are to be blamed,” said Francis, who is also president of the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang.

ILTC committee member Hajjah Khairozy, who has a walking difficulty, related an amazing experience she had three years ago with a stray dog that saved her life.

The dog which was in front of her house started barking non-stop when her home suddenly caught fire. Even her neighbours had no idea what was going on until they were alerted by the canine’s barks.

After hearing all that they had to say, Francis said the council president conceded that they could have handled the situation better rather than culling the canines.

“He even promised us that there would not be a repeat of the incident,” he added.

Disabled protesters harassed for seeking info

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 12:10

Free Today Malaysia

Disabled protesters harassed for seeking info .
By G Vinod
BANTING: A group of 12 disabled individuals wanted to find out why the nine pedigree dogs belonging to the alleged murderers of cosmetics millionaire Sosilawati were killed in such a cruel manner.

They got more than they bargained for: they were harassed by unknown persons at the Kuala Langat district council and the Kuala Langat police headquarters when they visited these places today.

The members belonged to the Independent Living and Training Centre and The Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association.

The group, led by ILTC coordinator Francis Siva, arrived at the district council at 9.45am to demand an explanation over the decision to kill the dogs.

“We went there to speak to the officer, Abdul Razak Jaafar, to seek answers over the killings. He told us that it was the police who gave the instruction.

“Suddenly, three unknown men started harassing us at the office after a press conference and used racial slurs against us before being stopped by some officers,” Siva said.

Insults hurled

But their ordeal was not over. When they went to the Kuala Langat police headquarters, they were again harassed by another group of five men.

“We spoke to an officer, Assistant Commissioner Nordin Manan, who told us it was not the police who decided to put the dogs to sleep.

“When we left, we were again harassed by another five men who started hurling insults and banging our vehicle while we were moving out,” Siva claimed.

Siva was shocked that though they were being harassed in front of Nordin, it took him (Nordin) nearly five minutes to stop the troublemakers.

“We are not even safe even in a police department,” he said.

When asked what he planned to do next about the harassment, Siva said he will consult his lawyer before pursuing any legal action.

“I am also planning to meet the new Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar over the matter,”he added.