Article From The Star

Friday May 9, 2008

PARLIAMENT

Ibrahim’s refusal to apologise to Karpal causes commotion

Shouting match: Ibrahim arging with the disabled yesterday. On his left is Gobind Singh.

A COMMOTION broke out in the Parliament lobby during a meeting between Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent – Pasir Mas) and a group of disabled people who demanded that he apologise to Karpal Singh.

The group, known as Malaysians Against the Discrimination of the Disabled (MADD), urged Ibrahim to retract his recent statement in Parliament requesting that Karpal Singh (DAP – Bukit Gelugor) stand up while speaking in the Dewan Rakyat.

Ibrahim had apologised to the group initially for hurting their feelings over the remarks he made in the Dewan.

However, when he refused to apologise to Karpal Singh, who is wheelchair-bound, several from the group became agitated and this led to a shouting match.

“My problem was with Karpal Singh and never with all of you. I have never offended you and I love disabled people from the bottom of my heart.

“But if you all have misinterpreted my meaning, I extend my sincerest apologies.

“I hope you don’t misunderstand this because there are groups trying to take advantage of you,” he said, referring to several Pakatan Rakyat leaders – Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail,

Lim Lip Eng, Loh Gwo Burne, Gobind Singh Deo and others – who had escorted the group into Parliament.

Ibrahim even said that he would propose that the Government allocate a RM500 monthly allowance to the disabled, which was greeted by cheers.

However, a huge spat ensued when Lim Lip Eng (DAP – Segambut) questioned Ibrahim if he would offer an apology to Karpal Singh.

To this, Ibrahim shouted “No! No! No!”.

“I will not apologise to Karpal. You cannot force me. I will not apologise for the benefit of the opposition party,” he retorted, and stormed off from the meeting.

In response, the group shouted back at him: “What if you are disabled one day?”

A representative from MADD later handed over a memorandum to Opposition Leader Dr Wan Azizah.

Article From New Straits Times

NST Online » Local News
2008/05/09

MADD at Ibrahim's remarks

By : V. Vasudevan, B. Suresh Ram, Eileen Ng, R.S. Kamini, Ili Liyana Mokhtar and Joseph SipalanUNDER ATTACK: Members of Malaysians Against the Discrimination of the Disabled confronting MP Ibrahim Ali (right) at the lobby of Parliament yesterday over his remarks about DAP MP Karpal Singh. Ibrahim says he will never apologise to Karpal. — NST photo by Rosdan Wahid.

THE fiery Ibrahim Ali met his match at Parliament lobby yesterday when a group of disabled confronted him over an "insensitive" statement about DAP chairman Karpal Singh. Members of Malaysians Against the Discrimination of the Disabled confronting MP Ibrahim Ali at the lobby of Parliament yesterday over his remarks about DAP MP Karpal Singh. Ibrahim says he will never apologise to Karpal. — NST photo by Rosdan Wahid

Datuk Bung Mokhtar, BN MP for Kinabatangan, greeting a MADD member yesterday.

The independent member of parliament for Pasir Mas was jeered by the 30-strong group for asking the speaker on April 30 why the wheel-chair-bound Karpal, the MP for Bukit Gelugor, had not stood to ask questions.

House rules require members to stand while asking questions.

The group, representing Malaysians Against the Discrimination of the Disabled (MADD), had showed up at the lobby to present a memorandum of protest to MPs.

Led by Anthony Thana-yasan, the group had also wanted an apology from Ibra-him and Datuk Bung Mokhtar, the Barisan Nasional MP for Kinabatangan, for their comments about the disabled.

The effort, however, failed when Ibrahim walked off after heatedly engaging the group for five minutes.

Bung Mokhtar, however, said he was sorry if his comment had hurt the disabled."I have disabled in my family and constituency. How can I think of hurting any of you?" he said to cheers.

The drama began about 11.45am when Kelana Jaya DAP MP Loh Gwo Burne told Ibrahim that a group of disabled wanted to meet him.

As Ibrahim approached them, the group asked him to offer the disabled and Karpal an unconditional apology for his "insensitive" statement.Ibrahim, in an equally angry tone, said:

"I will not apologise to Karpal. "I never meant to offend any of you (looking at disabled).

What happened between him and me was something personal.

"The atmosphere became more tense when Ibrahim suggested that they were being used.

"I have been fighting for a RM500 monthly allowance for the disabled for a long time." As they pressed Ibrahim to apologise to Karpal, a flustered Ibrahim walked off without a word.

Ibrahim, met by the New Straits Times, said he would not retract his remarks about Karpal until the latter apologised for calling him a katak (frog)."

I was being patient but he called me a 'katak'. I waited for him to retract his statements but he did not do so."

He said MADD may have been made use of by Pakatan Rakyat MPs who wanted to politicise the matter.

Anthony said the disabled had dignity and could not be bought.

"Any one of the MPs can become disabled one day. So, be sensitive to our condition and please show us some respect."

Task force to get more disabled into civil service

Wednesday May 7, 2008

The Star - Nation

Task force to get more disabled into civil service

KUALA LUMPUR: A task force is being set up to encourage more disabled people to work in the public sector, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said the ministry wanted feedback on how to create a suitable working environment for the disabled.

The task force would comprise ministry, Public Service Department (PSD) and disabled representatives.

This would also help PSD achieve its aim of having at least 1% of the government workforce, or 10,000 workers, being the disabled, she said.

Currently, there are 220,000 disabled persons registered with the Social Welfare Department. Only 581 of them are working in the public service and fewer than 5,000 in the private sector.

Dr Wong Huey Siew, Society for the Blind Malaysia's Employment and Computer Development chairman, said around 50% of disabled persons left their jobs within six months.

Malaysian Confederation of the Disabled secretary K. Bathmavathi said the ministry’s move would encourage the disabled to acquire higher academic qualifications.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

ILTC's Hope For Malaysian Disabled's Better Future

Frustration is the best word to describe what the disabled are undergoing now.

Independent Living & Training Centre (ILTC) strongly feel that, disabled isolated from the society because, with the country developing rapidly, much has yet to be done for the disabled, including providing a better environment, accessibility and proper facilities.

We believe the new Government to deliver on its promise of a “barrier-free” environment to cater to the needs of the disabled.

ILTC honestly feel that, it is difficult for a disabled person to go to some shopping complexes as there are no toilets for them or, even if there were, are locked most of the time.

“We had to control our bladder for three hours once as there were no toilets available, imagine the discomfort that we had to endure.

“We are humans, too, who need to eat, sleep, use the toilet and visit places, and imagine such a basic facility is not available.

Another example is the KLIA Express, which has only room for one disabled person. “Many times, mywife and me have to decide who should take the train first to the airport as both of us cannot travel together due to the limited space availability.

Last year, Former Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil called for a “barrier-free” environment to cater to the needs of the disabled, with Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen adding that the Government would come up with a long-term plan to provide disabled-friendly public transportation.

Discrimination In Parliament House

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

This Article is written by Mr. Anthony Thanasayan
President of PetPositive

Discrimination In Parliament House

PETPOSITIVE UPDATE!

DATELINE - PUCHONG, SELANGOR. SUNDAY:

LEADERS OF THREE DISABILITY ORGANISATIONS got together over the weekend to discuss the recent incident where at least one parliamentarian had made a remark about disability which has angered many handicapped Malaysians.

The able-bodied parliamentarian was reported to have said to another seated in a wheelchair that he ought to have asked permission to stand up at the session before he could comment on an issue.

This was not the first time that such a discriminatory remark about the disabled was uttered in Parliament House. The same disabled parliamentarian was told by another elected representative sometime last year that he was in a wheelchair because God had put him there.

That first statement eventually drew an outcry from some influential members of the House. The parliamentarian was made to apologise for his remarks.

The latest remarks, however, has not drawn any apology to date.

"We are really concerned when such negative remarks are made by our Parliamentarians," said Kennedy Hong, President of the Society of Chinese Disabled Persons of Malaysia (SCDPM) where the meeting was held.

"What does such behaviour say to our young people today?" He asked. Hong uses a wheelchair for mobility.

"We should be inculcating values that encourage everyone to respect the elderly and the disabled," echoed Alan Tan, the SCDPM's Deputy President.

Secretary of the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang, Selangor, Gurdip Kaur said: "I feel extremely sad that the disabled are forever amongst the most vulnerable in our society when in fact what we need are strong laws to protect our dignity and rights as handicapped Malaysians.

"Francis Siva - ILTC President - also voiced his dissatisfaction. He questioned the efficacy of the Disabled Act which was passed in Parliament recently.

"Can we use that law now to protect our rights?" he asked.

The two hour meeting was also attended by Anthony Thanasayan and his assistance dog, Soo.

Expressing his views, the President of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (PETPOSITIVE) observed: "It's a pity that the that the "disabled" are rarely mentioned in Parliament.

"And when it happens, it is for a negative purpose.

"Leaders of the three non profit organisations are currently brainstorming ways on how they can best sensitize our elected representatives about the real issues confronting handicapped persons in our society.

Kindly watch this space for more developments on this story.

Click HERE to read more.

PET+BLOGSPOT

NST Online » Local News

2008/04/25

Now, to get offices ready for disabled

By : Evangeline Majawat

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is laying the groundwork to employ 10,200 disabled people in the civil service.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said the first step was to make all government offices disabled-friendly.

Her ministry will be meeting the Public Service Department to address issues such as access, mobility and infrastructure for the prospective disabled civil servants.

"It is a complex issue and we understand that there are complications," Dr Ng said at the ministry's senior officers convention at Renaissance Hotel yesterday.

It was announced on Wednesday that the government would hire 10,200 disabled people with immediate effect.

This will make up one per cent of the current 1.2 million civil servants and is a 25-fold increase in the number of disabled people working in the government.

The government now employs fewer than 400 disabled people.

Dr Ng said the government would give them jobs according to their capabilities and qualifications.

"There is no limit to which job a disabled person can hold. It all depends on their capabilities.

"f he is a professor, he will be offered the position of a senior officer."

The private sector is also encouraged to follow the government's move. It was announced in the 2008 Budget that companies which hired disabled people and made their buildings disabled-friendly would be given tax exemption

NST Online » Local News

2008/05/04

Bane of disabled women

KUALA LUMPUR: Women with disabilities face overwhelming double discrimination: one which is gender-based and another for their disability.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said compared to their male counterparts, disabled women suffered more as they struggled to overcome obstacles.

"These women have low self-esteem and confidence. "Remember, you're no lesser.

You're just different," said the minister at the closing ceremony of the Asian Women in Paralympic Sport Leadership Summit yesterday.The three-day summit, the first to be held in Asia, is a workshop to provide leadership training and increase women's participation at all levels of decision-making.

"A forum like this is important to ensure the involvement of disabled women and also to bring to attention the issues and difficulties that they're facing."

Dr Ng said her ministry was working hard to overcome all forms of discrimination faced by disabled women.

Saturday May 3, 2008

The Star - Metro

Free bus rides for the poor

By TAN KARR WEI

THERE will be a free community bus service for poor residents in Petaling Jaya starting on June 3, said mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman.

“We are targeting poorer areas in the city. The bus is more for senior citizens and housewives who need to do their marketing or run errands. The bus will even pass by University Hospital,” said Roslan.

The bus service will start from the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) in SS8, Kelana Jaya, and go to areas like PJS6, PJS2, Jalan 12, Jalan 1/1, PJS 3, PJS 1, Jalan Templer, Jalan Othman, Jalan Yong Shook Lin, Jalan Gasing, Jalan Universiti, Section 19/8, SS2, SS4A/1, SS6/3, SS5/1 and back onto the LDP, completing a circular route.

The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) bought a new bus, which seats about 30 for RM200,000 and refurbished another at a cost of about RM100,000

The bus service will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm, from Monday to Friday.

MBPJ will also provide a transit service for disabled people.

A van fitted with a hydraulic lift will ferry them from their doorstep to their destination.

MBPJ LA21 officer Lee Lih Shyan said for now, the service was by appointment, as there was only one van available.

The van can ferry two wheelchair-bound persons at a time and four if the wheelchairs can be folded.

The service is also available from 9.30am to 4.30 pm and those interested in using the service can call 03-7956 3544 (ext 351 and 370).
For those in need: Roslan (right) and Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee checking out the new bus.

“We hope that companies will come forward to sponsor more buses and vans or the maintenance costs to run these services,” said Roslan.

The trial run of the bus service will start in the middle of May and public feedback is welcomed and can be forwarded to LA21 officer Lee Lih Shyan lee@mbpj.gov.my, acting engineering director Ismail Shafie ismail@mbpj.gov.my or public relations officer Zainun Zakaria zainun@mbpj.gov.my

Respect the disabled, Ng tells MP

The Star - Saturday May 3, 2008

Respect the disabled, Ng tells MP

KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will send a letter to the Pasir Mas MP to warn him against making insensitive remarks about disabled people.

Its minister, Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, said she had instructed her officer to send the letter to independent candidate Datuk Ibrahim Ali at the post-Cabinet meeting yesterday.

“His words have hurt many disabled people and he has to be more cautious in future.

“He has to be more selective in his words and be sensitive,” she said at a press conference.

In the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday, Ibrahim had teased wheelchair-bound Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh for “not respecting the House” by not standing up when speaking in Parliament.

The message for the Labours Day from President of ILTC

The message for the Labours Day from President of ILTC

Recently the government opening wide the door to the civil service for disabled people.

Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam said in a circular the move was in line with the government's vision to create a caring society by 2020 by hiring of about 10,200 disabled people will begin immediately.

It is also in line with efforts to promote the development of human capital as envisioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The government has agreed that at least one per cent of civil servants be made up of the disabled and this is a good opportunity for the disabled to contribute to the nation.

ILTC welcomed the government’s move to open up the civil workforce to the disabled.

ILTC also look forward the government’s to ensure the working environment must also be disabled-friendly

ILTC urged that, the government should look at the bigger scale and remove social barriers. At same time the government should improve and provide better transportation towards the disabled persons in Malaysia.

To Appoint Disabled Persons in the State Executive Council in the State of Selangor

Thursday, May 01, 2008

The Message from ILTC President

To Appoint Disabled Persons in the State Executive Council in the State of Selangor

ILTC hope that, new Selangor government should appoint disabled persons in the state executive council. The disabled persons may have new ideas which could be of help to the state government in formulating policies to ensure that they were comprehensive.

It will enable disabled persons get involved in the process of formulating state policies. The government has to hear our views especially on our needs to enable us to be people-friendly in their policies.

Larian Obor Paralimpiad Malaysia XIV Kuala Lumpur 2008

Larian Obor Paralimpiad Malaysia XIV Kuala Lumpur 2008
8 ILTC members were invited to participate in the Larian Obor Paralimpiad Malaysia Ke 14 Kuala Lumpur on 30th April 2008 started 12.30pm from Brickfields towards Menara KL Tower was ended 3.00pm.
Mr. Segaran member of ILTC had shared his view on this event. He said it was a good opportunity to him to expose himself to participate in this event and also the event has given a lot of opportunity and hope for himself to participate in the upcoming events.

Mr. Robert said his personal thanks to ILTC for given him an opportunity to participate in this event and he added that the organizer should organized more in order to get more publicity.

Selangor Government to seek legal advice on Balkis affair

Saturday April 26, 2008
The Star - News

Selangor Government to seek legal advice on Balkis affair

PETALING JAYA: The Selangor Government will seek legal advice on the controversy involving the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) and its funds.

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the political secretary to Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said the MB did not want to make any further statement on the matter as the state was currently consulting its lawyers.

“We are looking into the legal aspects of the application to dissolve Balkis and also the transfer of its funds before we decide on the next course of action,” he said, adding that the state would take legal action against the organisation’s office bearers if there was any wrongdoing.

In the meantime, the state government has asked the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to ignore the application to disband Balkis made by its previous president Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik, the wife of former Selangor MB Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

The state government said in a statement on Thursday that Balkis made the application following a decision during an emergency meeting held on March 11.

It argued that Zahrah could not hold office after the March 8 general election as Dr Khir was no longer MB.

It said that the organisation’s constitution clearly stated that the president had to be the Selangor MB's wife and after the Barisan Nasional lost the state, Zahrah did not have the right to represent Balkis or make the application, and even her right to chair the emergency meeting was questionable.

The state government also felt that disbanding Balkis under such circumstances was against the spirit behind its formation in 1985 to help the needy, provide ideas to the government on welfare issues and help Malaysians of all races and religions.

The statement said a Balkis official had informed the state government that RM9.9mil was moved from the organisation to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti).

It said the MB's office had also been informed that part of the funds under Balkis came from state-owned companies like Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd which contributed over RM268,000 last year and the Selangor State Development Corporation which contributed more than RM590,000 in 2006 and 2007.

“The state government, therefore, is asking the ROS not to approve the application (to disband Balkis) until the contributions from all the state-owned companies have been ascertained,” the statement continued.

The state government said that it and all its companies would soon request that all contributions made to Balkis be returned, as the organisation was only acting as a trustee for the funds that were to be used for welfare purposes.

Bar Council vice-chairman Ragunath Kesavan said the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) must investigate Balkis for removing almost RM9.9mil from its bank account.

“There is a potential criminal breach of trust (element) or corruption, therefore the ACA must act fast. The money belongs to the association members, not to the office bearers.

“There are rules and regulations to be followed under the Registrar of Societies,” he said.

Disabled group: Easier to get aid from Balkis

Sunday April 27, 2008

The Star - News

Disabled group: Easier to get aid from Balkis

PETALING JAYA: A charitable organisation is worried that no more donations will come from Balkis now that its funds have been transferred to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti).

The Independent Living and Training Centre for the Disabled (ILTC) has occasionally received financial aid from Balkis in the past, the highest amount being RM15,000 for three threewheeled motorcycles for its members.

“Now that the money has gone to Bakti, it will be more difficult for us to get help.

“We tried to apply for seven such vehicles on behalf of our members four years ago from Bakti but the application was rejected because we were not allowed to make such a request as an organisation.

“The reason given by Bakti was that only individuals were allowed to seek its help,” said ILTC president Francis Siva.

He added that many of its members could not make their own request as they were either illiterate or not well-versed in applying for aid.

Francis said many members were disappointed with the development as it was easier to approach Balkis than Bakti.

“Previously, we submitted our requests through state assemblymen who would later forward our applications to Balkis but now we are left in the lurch as we do not even know how to contact Bakti members,” he said.

Saturday April 26, 2008
The Star - News

Did Balkis have the right to move out the RM9.9m?

PETALING JAYA: The RM9.9mil in the bank account of the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) belonged to it. And Balkis was within its rights to hand the money over to another organisation.

This is the stand of the president of the organisation at that time, Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik.

“We have sought legal advice and our lawyers advised us on the options available – either to put the money with any organisation or give it to the state.

Balkis members are proud of our work for the poor, we will never take what does not belong to us... DATIN SERI ZAHRAH KECHIK

“After some deliberations, we decided to give the money to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti),” Zahrah said yesterday.

The money was moved after a March 11 emergency meeting of Balkis, just days after the state government fell to the Pakatan Rakyat.

The current Selangor government is questioning the legality of the transfer of the funds.

Zahrah’s husband and former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said the organisation consulted its auditors and legal adviser before making the transfer and there was no “hanky-panky involved”.

Zahrah added that Balkis had decided to channel the money to Bakti because the two organisations have similar objectives.

She said the organisation’s constitution allowed for the money to be transferred to the state government or another entity with similar structure and charity orientation like Balkis – provided the recipient is recognised by the director-general of the Inland Revenue Board.

“Balkis was formed by wives of Barisan Nasional elected representatives who wanted to do something for the underprivileged.

“Now that Selangor is ruled by the opposition coalition, the members felt they could no longer serve effectively and that the organisation should be dissolved,” said Zahrah, adding that she chaired the March 11 meeting in her capacity as Balkis president.

“Balkis members worked hard to raise the RM9.9mil through various fund-raising activities over the years. The money is used to help the underprivileged groups in the state.

“All income, expenditure and contributions are clearly documented. Balkis members are proud of our work for the poor, we will never take what does not belong to us,” she said.

She said the wives of elected representatives under Khalid’s administration could also establish a similar organisation if they too desired to help the poor.

Dr Khir said the association was unsure if Khalid’s government would want to go on with the programmes already in place, or use the money for similar intentions,

He said the money was transferred to Bakti with the condition that those under Balkis’ Poor Students’ Aid Programme would continue to receive the aid.

“There was some worry after Pakatan Rakyat won the state that the new government might remove some of the students from the list (of recipients) and the poor students would not be able to continue their studies,” he said.

Dr Khir said the money was also used to fund a shelter home for women in Section 7, Shah Alam.

“The movement may want to establish a new association. The new association will be headed by Puan Sri Asbi Rohani Asnan, in her capacity as the wife of Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib,” he said.

Komuter drivers must announce station stops

The Star - News

Home > News > Opinion

Friday April 25, 2008

Komuter drivers must announce station stops

I WOULD like to urge the KTMB management to make it compulsory for all KTM Komuter drivers to announce the name of the station the train is arriving at.

When the Komuter service was first introduced, the drivers used to announce each stop and station, but on my recent travel, I noticed a failure to do so.

I was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Klang station and vice-versa the last week for a few days.

Unfortunately, none of the drivers made any announcements. I was struggling at night, unable to tell which station the train was arriving at.

The situation was worsened by the unavailability of lightings for the station signboard in almost all stations.

I had to check with regular travellers to ensure that I did not step out at the wrong station.

However, one passenger wrongly guided me and I disembarked a few stations from Klang station, my destination. I had to wait almost 30 minutes for the next train.

If this is my experience with KTM Komuter, how much more difficult it would be for the disabled like the blind.

KTMB should look into this matter immediately.

VIGNESWARAN KANNAN,

Sitiawan.

Educate public on rights of the disabled

Wednesday April 23, 2008
News - The Star
Educate public on rights of the disabled
SEVERAL articles recently highlighted children with special needs (“Teacher under probe” – Sunday Star, April 13; “The caged boy of Sanglang” – The Star, April 17).

In Ipoh, a Down Syndrome boy was caned by his teacher for misbehaviour, while a boy with mental disabilities was caged at his home in Alor Star because of his hyperactivity.

Meanwhile, the parents of a Chinese primary school student in Kuala Lumpur recently wrote to the Chinese press to protest against the setting up of a pilot Special Education programme in the school. They noted that special needs children should be put in special schools, out of the way of other children.

I think it is timely, therefore, for us to be reminded that the Persons with Disabilities Act 2007 was passed in Parliament on Dec 18, 2007. And, in April this year, Malaysia became a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The convention entitles the disabled to the “full enjoyment of all human rights and ensures full and effective participation as well as inclusion in society”.

The Disabilities Act states that the authorities should promote the integration of students with disabilities into normal schools, with a view to accommodating these students in the mainstream.

We are just over a decade from 2020, the target date for Malaysia to achieve developed nation status. Hence, there is some urgency for us to work towards bridging the gap between the laws we have on paper, and what we see in reality.

I would like to urge the Government to be wholehearted in its support for the law that it has passed. It needs to work together with related NGOs to educate the Malaysian public on the rights of the disabled.

We should work towards the setting up of integrated special education programmes in every government school with a view to full inclusion as soon as the system is ready.

Much work needs to be done in the area of special education – there should be provisions for facilities to accommodate disabilities, therapists and teacher aides, and teacher training in inclusive education.

It is a tall order, but it can be achieved with resolve and effort. It is, after all, no longer a matter of choice. The law requires Malaysians to restore the disabled to their rightful place in society.

ANGELINE LIM

Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

College helps community in its own way

Friday April 18, 2008

College helps community in its own way
By JADE CHAN

AFTER personally experiencing a robbery followed by a long post-surgery period, Masterskill College of Nursing & Health CEO Edmund Santhara realised how important physiotherapy was and discovered that was a severe shortage of physiotherapists in Malaysia.

“I learnt that the most important part of surgery are the post-surgery procedures because if that’s not done properly, you may lose 20-25% of your ability to recover fully.

“This is when you go to physiotherapists and undergo a rehabilitation process. Things that we take for granted, like using a fork and spoon or writing, have to be relearnt.

“Most physiotherapy centres in Malaysia have a severe shortage of qualified staff.

“The longer it takes, the stiffer your limb becomes and the more painful it is to do physiotherapy,” he said.

Santhara decided to look at the social aspects of helping people and how Masterskill could be a nation-builder in their own way. Masterkill’s physiotherapy project began as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives when they collaborated with the Malaysian Paralympic Council to support the KL’06 Fespic Games.

Keeping focussed: Students practising under the eyes of a lecturer.

After the Games, Masterskill launched its physiotherapy learning centre, named the McMillan Physiotherapy Centre, at their main campus in Taman Kemacahaya, Cheras. To contribute more effectively and to better serve the community, Masterskill also invested RM4.5mil to set up a physiotherapy research centre at Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Sungai Long.

“We found that it was difficult for people to come to our campus due to the lack of public transport, so we decided to open our physiotherapy research centre,” Santhara said.

“Our definition of commercialisation is that it’s open to the public but we won’t charge for the first three years except for a RM1 registration fee. “The physiotherapy centre in Sungai Long has been in operation since January and we’re looking into providing services for at least 500 patients,” he said.

The centre operates like a clinic and provides treatments for common injuries a general worker will usually have and general physiotherapy.

Service provider: The research centre at Sungai Long.

“We have 32 physiotherapy specialists, clinical instructors and a thousand over physiotherapists being trained – some of whom will be full-fledged physiotherapists six months from now,” Santhara said.

“One of the best ways to expose them, other than at hospitals, would be at our own centre,” he added. One of the project’s aims, he said, was to use the resources Masterskill had as they were presently the biggest physiotherapy school in Malaysia.

“We want to expose the students not only to clinical expertise, but how to manage a physiotherapy centre and teach them entrepreneurial skills. “It’ll also be a place where those that have be sent for training at hospitals can impart their knowledge and for our lecturers to have clinical experience to have a high level of skill-based experiences.”

Masterskill continues to provide training and development facilities to the physiotherapy community to enhance their skill and knowledge by, among others, developing a physiotherapy degree programme for qualification upgrade purposes, pledging scholarships and RM250,000 grants for knowledge development and bringing field experts to conduct seminars and workshops.

Their collaborations with Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, India, and La Trobe University, Australia, offer additional training for students and allows for exchange in terms of knowledge and clinical experiences. In the pipeline are plans to open physiotherapy centres nationwide, with one in Sungai Petani, Kedah, in three months.

StarMetro will be featuring a series of stories of community works for the StarBiz-ICRM Corporate Responsibility Awards, which recognises and honours companies that demonstrate outstanding corporate responsibility practices in the different aspects of their business operations.

Do Not Afraid To Face Our Difficulties

Winning Recipe For Charity

Saturday April 19, 2008
The Star - Metro

Cakes created by celebrities raise RM100,000 for five organisations
By CHOONG MEK ZHIN

THE celebrities whose cake creations were selected in the Celebrity Cookout Charity Initiative reality television programme last year have raised RM100,000 in total for five good causes from the sale of their delectable confections at Secret Recipe outlets.

A chocolate and strawberry treat created by Amber Chia and Carmen Soo that they named “Tender Loving Care” raised the most funds – RM30,000 – for the duo’s chosen charity, The Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC).

“Both Amber and I are independent women and we thought, what if one day something were to happen to us and we became helpless?

“So we figured it would be nice if we could help the ILTC as these people, though disabled, are trying hard to be independent,” Soo said at the cheque-presentation ceremony.
ILTC president Francis Siva exp-ressed gratitude to the two celebrities for doing their best for a noble cause.

“We are dedicated to training residents to be responsible, useful and productive despite their disabilities. It's not easy, but this money will go a long way towards funding the construction of a new centre that we can call our own,” he said, adding that the rented premises that the centre was occupying housed 158 residents aged between 18 and 55.

Winning creation: Chia (left) and Soo putting the finishing touches to their cake during the Celebrity Cookout.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Mini-ster Noriah Kasnon handed over the mock cheques to representatives of the charities.

“Charity projects such as this showcase the business community's caring and sharing spirit, which is in line with the ministry's vision of creating a caring and developed society.

“This charity initiative has set the platform for other organisations to follow suit,” Noriah said.

She added that the proceeds of the charity drive would lessen the burden of the organisations, especially in view of the rising cost of medication and cost of living in general.

Secret Recipe Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Steven Sim felt the project had been an enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

“It is heart warming to see this project being pieced together from scratch.

“We also hope that our customers are now more aware of the five selected charity organisations as our outlets had carried pamphlets on them when we sold the cakes between October and December last year,” Sim said, adding that for each cake sold, RM10 was channelled to the charity fund.

The other cakes were the Brownies Cream Cheese created by Hannah Tan that raised RM20,000, Spirulina Pineapple by Eja and Vanidah that raised RM16,000, the Orange Caramel by Ashraf and Aishah Sinclair that raised RM17,000 and the Chocolate Treats by Sheila Rusly and her son Haq that also raised RM17,000.

The charities that benefited were World Vision that works with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice; Prihatin, which provides support and shelter to single mothers and children infected with HIV/AIDS; Yayasan Anak Warisan Alam, whose mission is to spread the environmental message to educate the young on nature and heritage through conservation projects, and Persatuan Anak-Anak Yatim dan Ibu Tunggal.