Dr Ng: Aid for the needy has been increasing

Monday February 23, 2009

Dr Ng: Aid for the needy has been increasing

By SIMON KHOO

RAUB: Financial assistance given to the poor, handicapped and senior citizens has been increased in tandem with modern times, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Dr Ng said the Government had agreed to increase the amount allocated to the needy from RM350mil to RM500mil this year.

She said the Government was aware of the difficulties faced by these categories of people in meeting their daily needs.

“Despite the global economic situation, we will try to achieve our target of eradicating hardcore poverty.

“I am aware of the rise in the cost of living and this may burden those in the lower income group.

“As the minister, I will not shun my responsibility and do my best to provide assistance to the needy,” she said after presenting monthly aid from the Welfare Department to residents of Kampung Sungai Klau, Kampung Sungai Chalit and Kampung Sungai Ruan.

Present were state director Shamsiah Hussin, district welfare officer Mohd Tajul Aris Hassan and state Wanita MCA chief Lim Nget Yoon.

Dr Ng, who is also Raub MP, assured the needy in her constituency that they would be given due attention and not be left out when monetary aid was disbursed.

She said the department provided other assistance like vocational training for single mothers and the physically challenged.

“We also provide allowances to handicapped people who earn less than RM1,200 to encourage them to find permanent jobs without depending on Government aid,” she said.

Department Urged To Beef Up Registration Of Disabled People

February 21, 2009 14:11 PM

Department Urged To Beef Up Registration Of Disabled People

By: Ramjit

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 21 (Bernama) Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun today urged the Welfare Services Department to beef up efforts to register disabled people in the state.

Speaking at a forum and workshop on accessibility entitled "Inclusion, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities" here, Azizah highlighted that the number of disabled people registered in the country was still low compared to their estimated number.

She said that based on an estimate by the World Health Organisation (WHO), there could be as high as 2.7 million disabled people in the country or 10 per cent of Malaysia's total population of 27 million.

As of May 2008, however, only 229,325 disabled people were registered with the Social Welfare Department, accounting for only 0.81 per cent of their estimated number, she said.

She said that in Sabah, the number of disabled peopled registered with the Welfare Services Department as of December last year was 16,814.

"Again, if the WHO's estimation is taken into consideration, Sabah could have up to 260,000 people with disabilities as the estimated population of Sabah in 2008 is 2.6 million."

Hence, the number of disabled peopled registered in Sabah is only 0.64 per cent of their total number," she said.

She added that the registration of disabled people were ongoing either at the state or federal level.

She also urged members of the public who had disabled people in their families to come forward and register them with the department "to make sure that not a single disabled person will be left out."

BERNAMA

Buses for the disabled

Monday February 16, 2009

Buses for the disabled

ALL the 200 new buses to be added to the Rapid Penang fleet would be disabled-friendly, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said.

He said the buses would be delivered by June, bringing the total number of buses owned by the company to 350.

He said the new buses would be fitted with a ramp each to enable wheelchair-bound passengers to board them.

Nor Mohamed added that Rapid Penang had also installed the Global Positioning System (GPS) on all its buses to monitor their movements.

Passengers trying out the Rapid Penang bus service in Pekan Darat.

“The GPS is rented from a service provider.

“It will improve route frequency and enable the company to provide better service to commuters,” he told reporters in Butterworth yesterday after launching Rapid Penang’s new Butterworth – Pekan Darat route in Tasek Gelugor.

Nor Mohamed said the company hoped to break even in three years despite the losses it suffered since beginning operations in July 2007.

It is learnt that the company has recorded losses of about RM7mil.

Nor Mohamed said the company projected to serve 40,000 passengers daily when the new buses were put on the road.

“The current fleet of 150 is serving about 25,000 passengers daily,” he added.

He said more routes would be introduced, especially in rural areas on the Penang mainland, when the new buses begin ope-rations.

Rapid Penang is a subsidiary of RapidKL which is 100% owned by the Ministry of Finance Inc.

Nor Mohamed said the company was set up to improve public transportation in Penang and was not purely profit-driven.

“The responsibility of serving the people was on our minds when we introduced Rapid Penang,” he added.

Rehab centre for injured workers biggest in region

2009/02/17

Rehab centre for injured workers biggest in region

KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry is planning to build its first rehabilitation centre for the Socso Return-to-Work (RTW) programme for injured and disabled workers.

The state-of-the-art one-stop centre in Malacca will be one of the biggest in the region.

To be ready in two years, the 150-bed facility on a 24.28ha site will provide comprehensive rehabilitation programmes for about 200 injured and disabled workers.

Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the centre will provide physical and psychological rehabilitation, vocational preparation and job-training to maximise independence and help people adapt and rebuild their lives, either at their existing work place or in a new work environment.

"We believe that people disabled by work-related injuries or illnesses can still be productive if given innovative care.

They can return to work if taught new skills appropriate to their new reality," he told the New Straits Times.

He said the ministry was focusing on the RTW programme as many injured people, given proper rehabilitation and job skills training, could return to work.

Socso is spending almost RM300 million a year on permanent disability claims, with the bill rising by 10 to 15 per cent a year. Temporary disablement benefit payouts total RM94 million a year.

Subramaniam said 731 workers who applied for permanent and temporary disablement benefits last year were placed on the RTW programme with 339 returning to work.

"The others are still being motivated and trained," he said, adding that of the 339 workers, 242 went back to their original employer, while the rest were working with new employers.

The RTW programme was launched in 2005 with a pilot project involving 127 workers -- 70 completed the programme and 49 returned to work.

Currently, Socso sends workers to government hospitals or private centres for rehabilitation programmes.

Socso is also increasing the number of case managers from eight to 25, to identify suitable rehabilitation centres for workers nationwide to enable them to return to work, and to manage injury and disease.

Kalliyaney's tale of inspiration

2009/02/17




Kalliyaney's tale of inspiration
By : Annie Freeda Cruez

KUALA LUMPUR: Kalliyaney Kuppan's world came crashing down when she was paralysed after an accident in 1989.

The quadriplegic felt that life would never be the same again and that she would have to be at the mercy of others for life.But there were things in store for her that went beyond her imagination.

She came to know about the Human Resource Ministry's "Return to Work" programme and her life has never been the same again.

Today, she runs a hawker stall at Pusat Penjaja Bagan Lalang where she is known for her never-give-up spirit that has encouraged many.

Kalliyaney set up the stall last October with grants from the Gujarati Association Wilayah Persekutuan & Selangor and the Vijayaratnam Foundation.

"I was determined to get my life going, and the programme helped me become what I am today," she said."I feel great. I can earn a living despite being a quadriplegic. If I can do it, why not others?"

Mohan Letchumanan, a steriliser operator at Tennamaram palm oil mill, has a similar tale to tell.

He fractured a leg while at work and expected the worst as he could not walk properly after the injury healed.

"I thought I'd no longer be able to work. But I am at work today," said Mohan, who wears an ankle brace to provide stability while walking.

Socso case managers sought the cooperation of his superiors to offer him a suitable job that would take his disability into account."My employers were very supportive.

They even provided transport to the Rawang Socso office when I was on medical leave to take part in the RTW rehabilitation programme," he said.

For Pisallulhakimi Abd Rahman, the RTW programme was a lifesaver after he suffered a fracture of the leg.

He was given light duties at LSG SKY Chefs Brahim after the injury with time spent at RTW learning to adapt to normal working life.

"After my accident in 2006, I had physiotherapy, electrotherapy, therapeutic exercises besides doing a home exercise programme," he said.

A. Anbuchelvan, 36, who suffered a stroke in 2006, is back at work as a cleaner with Alam Flora after a programme that included neurological and musculosketal rehabilitation at the Sau Seng Lum Rehab centre.

MPAJ beri pendedahan bantu OKU

Rabu 18-2-2009




MPAJ beri pendedahan bantu OKU

PANDAN PERDANA -Orang kurang upaya (OKU) mem-punyai hak kemanusiaan dan peluang untuk menyertai masyarakat seperti mana dasar OKU yang telah ditubuhkan bagi memberi pengiktirafan serta penerimaan prinsip bahawa OKU bebas daripada halangan fizikal, sosial, ekonomi, budaya dan sikap.

Dasar OKU juga bertujuan untuk menghapuskan diskriminasi terhadap golongan OKU atas sebab ketidakupayaan mereka dan mendidik serta meningkatkan kesedaran masyarakat mengenai hak kelompok tersebut.

Timbalan Yang Dipertua Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ), Abdul Hamid Hussain berkata, kemudahan infrastruktur dalam kalangan OKU telah disediakan di pusat-pusat membeli belah dan beberapa kawasan lain.

“Di dewan-dewan MPAJ juga telah disediakan kemudahan kepada golongan OKU. Selain itu, di Pandan Indah juga turut disediakan tempat letak kenderaan yang dikhaskan.

Bagaimanapun, penyediaan infrastruktur itu masih belum menyeluruh dan agak terhad di beberapa tempat sahaja di bawah kawasan pentadbiran MPAJ.

“Oleh itu, kami mengadakan seminar dan sesi dialog ini bertujuan memberi pendedahan kepada peserta untuk pelaksanaannya pada masa akan datang.

Peserta juga turut didedahkan betapa pentingnya peranan MPAJ dan agensi-agensi lain di dalam memastikan pelaksanaan pembangunan yang tidak mengabaikan golongan OKU,” katanya ketika Sidang Media di dalam Majlis Seminar dan Sesi Dialog OKU, Agensi Kerajaan dan Swasta di Pandan Lake Club di sini, semalam.

Seramai 80 peserta terdiri daripada Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia (JKM), ahli-ahli majlis MPAJ, pihak pemaju dan persatuan-persatuan OKU hadir bagi membantu MPAJ melaksanakan dasar OKU mengikut garis panduan dan peraturan-peraturan yang telah ditetapkan dengan kerjasama semua.

Menurutnya, seminar itu bertujuan bagi mengkaji dan menangani masalah berkaitan hak dan kepentingan golongan OKU dengan cara yang lebih sistematik.

“Melalui program ini, kami akan mengenal pasti cadangan dan idea yang dikemukakan untuk pelaksanaan.

Ia melibatkan jangka masa yang panjang kerana untuk dilaksanakan segera ia agak sukar.

“MPAJ tiada peruntukan khusus untuk menyediakan infrastruktur kepada golongan OKU tetapi jika ia perlu disediakan kami akan mendapatkan peruntukan daripada kementerian yang terlibat untuk direalisasikan pelaksanaannya,” katanya.

Abdul Hamid berkata, pihaknya akan mendapatkan data lengkap jumlah penduduk OKU di kawasan pentadbirannya bagi mengkaji penyesuaian pelaksanaan akses OKU tersebut.

MPAJ bersedia melak-sanakan kemudahan kepada golongan OKU setelah adanya cadangan dan pandangan ia perlu dilaksanakan melalui pelan pembangunan baru.

“Kemudahan tersebut sebenarnya memberi kepentingan kepada semua pihak antaranya ibu mengandung, orang tua, dan OKU sendiri. Saya melihat ia wajar dilaksanakan kerana memberi manfaat kepada semua.

“Terlebih dahulu, kita akan menilai keperluan utama yang diperlukan oleh golongan OKU. Kita juga akan melihat semula infrastruktur yang sedia ada, setakat ini ia tidak mendatangkan masalah, jika ubah sedikit ia sudah boleh digunakan oleh semua pihak,” katanya.

Menurut beliau, Akta OKU telah diwujudkan bagi menyediakan peruntukan pendaftaran, perlindungan, rehabilitasi, pembangunan dan kesejahteraan OKU.

Oleh itu, apabila akta itu sudah dikuatkuasakan, MPAJ akan memastikan setiap pihak terlibat melaksanakan sebaik mungkin dan jika perlu MPAJ juga akan bertindak mengeluarkan arahan supaya mereka mengikut akta yang ditetapkan.

Plight of the disabled

Saturday February 14, 2009



Plight of the disabled
By LOOI SUE-CHERN

TOILETS for the disabled are often too small or are locked.

These are some of the problems faced by the disabled at some places in Penang, said Society of Disabled Persons (Penang) former president Tan Kuan Aw.

Tan, who is wheelchair-bound, said there were also toilets for the disabled which had been turned into storerooms because the managements of buildings where these toilets are located think not many people use them.

He said there were specifications that must be complied with when facilities for the disabled are provided such as handrails for ramps.

But after studying the situation in Penang for a decade, Tan did not think the local authorities were serious when it came to ensuring that these specfications were adhered to.

“The setting up of a barrier-free facility like a toilet for people with disabilities just for the sake of it is a misunderstood concept. There are Sirim standards and requirements that need to be followed,” he said in an interview.

A check by The Star in public places around Penang proved Tan’s descriptions of several public toilets accurate.

One such toilet in a building along the Jelutong Expressway was so small that a disabled person in a wheelchair would find great difficulty to close the toilet door from the inside.

Tight space: A woman in wheelchair demonstrating how difficult it is to use the cramped toilet for disabled persons.

The reason for this, apart from the size of the toilet, is that the toilet door opens the wrong way. It opens inward, instead of outward or sliding.

Another toilet for the disabled persons in a shopping mall is occasionally locked and those who want to use the facility must find the cleaner who has the key, as instructed by a sign stuck to the door.

As for ramps, Tan said some were built without handrails. But in the case of the ramp at the Taman Sri Pinang flats on River Road, it was crossbars that has become a barrier for the disabled.

Stumbling block: A ramp with handrails is provided at Taman Sri Pinang but disabled persons, especially those in wheelchairs, cannot proceed further with the locked crossbars blocking the building's entrance.

Although the ramp has handrails, it is not barrier-free as there are crossbars at the bottom to prevent motorcyclists from using the ramp.

Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) committee member Lim Kah Cheng, who is an ardent activist for people with special needs, said the bars could also be a hindrance during emergencies like fires.

She said ramps could be designed in a way that motorcyclists could not misuse them, adding that the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) had agreed to look into the matter.

“Instead of a ramp, a winding path that motorcyclists will find difficult to manoeuvre their vehicles on can be considered. The council already has the design which is not costly to follow,” said Lim, who is also an MPPP councillor.

Her other complaints include the putting up of signboards, road signs, advertisement boards and other obstructing objects in the middle of pavements or walkways; and high pavements.

Lim said the trick would be to get things right the first time - constructing buildings and providing public facilities that were universal.

“If you build a ramp, build one that is for everybody. What is good for the disabled is good for everyone else,” she added.

Danger lurks: This bus stop at Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong is unsafe for disabled persons, especially for the visually impaired and those in wheelchairs.

MPPP president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman, when contacted, said the council would take serious note of the problems faced by the disabled with the existing facilites.

“Our officers will conduct checks on these facilities to see if they comply with the required standards. If developers do not comply with building requirements, we will not grant them the CFs,” he added.

2009/02/12

PUTRAJAYA: The government will spend RM158 million this year, compared with RM102 million last year, for disabled children.

Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said yesterday this was because the disabled children's special allowance was being increased from RM50 to RM150 a month this year.

"We would also be spending RM35 million on upgrading 701 schools with special education facilities," he said after attending a function where Tenaga Nasional Bhd adopted Putrajaya Special Education Service Centre (3PK) at the Education Ministry yesterday.

He said RM440 million had been allocated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan for 3,532 projects to improve and build new institutes for disabled children."Some of the projects include building two vocational special education schools in Merbok, Kedah, and in Kuantan, Pahang."

Earlier, TNB chairman Tan Sri Amar Leo Moggie handed a cheque for RM492,500 to 3PK patron Tengku Datin Seri Marsilla Tengku Abdullah, wife of Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

New member of the family

Thursday February 12, 2009




New member of the family
WHEEL POWERBy ANTHONY THANASAYAN

The passing of a faithful service dog ... and the arrival of a new one.

A FORTNIGHT ago, I wrote about the death of my first service dog Vai, I never imagined the response the article would elicit from readers. My e-mail, Facebook and blog were inundated with messages of condolences and words of comfort.

Among the first to react to Vai’s passing were the heads and staff of the planning and health departments of the Petaling Jaya Town Council (MBPJ).

Even though many of them have never kept dogs as pets, they deeply sympathised with my loss. They had seen Vai in action on video, helping me to get out of my bed in the morning, opening the door for me, and running up and down the stairs as he carried important items in his mouth at my instruction.

The video was screened at MBPJ’s board meeting shortly after I became councillor.

The video screening was used to highlight the special role that canines play in the lives of the handicapped. Dogs with special training can help the disabled achieve a higher quality of life through animal-assisted therapy.

My dream is to see people with disabilities being accompanied by their service dogs in public so that they do not have to depend on human help all the time.

These canines should be regarded with the same respect and rights given to police dogs, search-and-rescue, and drug-sniffing dogs.

MBPJ is looking into giving free dog licences to the disabled and elderly whose pets play a therapeutic role in their lives. The Shah Alam Town Council is giving disabled pet owners free dog licences and a 50% discount for the elderly.

Many advised me that one of the best ways to work through the grief of losing a pet is to get another one. The process of healing is faster if we focus our attention on caring for a new dog.

Last week, I drove down to Seremban to visit a dog farm. It was love at first sight when I met a four-month-old Alsatian whose parents are German imports. Named Zeus VK Haras, I could tell that this was the one for me. Except that he wasn’t going to be all mine, but shared with my pal Andrew Martin.

Zeus will play a dual role of being with Andrew during the night, and staying with me during the day. For more than a week now, the pup has taken to his new job brilliantly.

He is currently attending wheelchair-etiquette classes in my home. This includes getting out of the path of my wheelchair but staying close by me at all times. He is also learning to pick up all sorts of things, including my valuables which he quickly hides in his crate.

When Zeus is not looking, Biman III, my now senior service dog, will dash into his crate and retrieve all the items for me. Each time he does that, it will be accompanied by vehement protests from the pup.

Soo, my Golden Retriever, is happy to have a new pal as long as he doesn’t occupy his favourite place in my room, which is under my bed.

Reba, Andrew’s Shetland Sheepdog which I babysit daily for him whilst he is at work, is thrilled to have a new “boyfriend” to take home with her each night.

Vai had been her companion over the past six years after I retired him from his service dog duties.

Reba is, however, cautious about Zeus’ size. The pup is almost as tall as Soo. In order to sniff at him when she checks on him, Reba has to wait till the pup is asleep.

Sleep on, Zeus, my little pal. There is a great task ahead of you as you learn to fit into the giant paws of Vai, my canine hero.

February deadline for welfare homes to register

Tuesday February 3, 2009





February deadline for welfare homes to register

Reaching out to more people

KUALA LUMPUR: Welfare homes and non-governmental organisations caring for the needy have until the end of the month to register with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

“This will enable such homes to enjoy subsidies provided by the Government.

Season’s greetings: Dr Ng sharing a light moment with Lee Soon Mun, 84, from Rumah Victory during the Chinese New Year celebration with senior citizens at The Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur.

“Those registered will receive a daily subsidy of RM8 for each occupant for food and necessities as long as the homes fulfil the minimum requirements set out by the ministry,” said minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said the ministry would check on the condition of each home to ensure there was adequate infrastructure and that the premises were kept clean and not congested.

As for the number of underprivileged people receiving aid from the Social Welfare Department under ‘projek cari’ (search project), Dr Ng said the figure had increased from 16,739 to 40,000.

The project, launched last July, would continue to look for those deserving of help.

“The ministry also called up family members of senior citizens identified under the project.

“We advised the children to look after their aged parents as this is a duty the ministry is not able to undertake,” Dr Ng said at a Chinese New Year celebration with senior citizens hosted by the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

She handed out ang pows and hampers to 108 senior citizens from Rumah Charis, Rumah Victory, Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia and Caring Old Folks Home.

Comments from ILTC on Regarding Yen Yen: Not enough welfare officers

Quick comments from ILTC on Regarding Dr. Ng Yen Yen's the statement on Star today.

Not enough welfare officers.......

Do the Ministry allowed disabled volunteers to help the Ministry?

ILTC have a great shock to hear the statement from the Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

We could not digest this at all.

Kindly take note of this matter urgently due to lack of services from welfare Department.

Yen Yen: Not enough welfare officers

Sunday February 1, 2009






Yen Yen: Not enough welfare officers


KOTA BARU: Welfare officers are not able to find as many poor people because they have to service up to 600 people per person, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said at the moment the ratio was one welfare officer to 600 poor people when it should be one to 30.

“Currently there are only 6,000 officers nationwide providing services to millions of people. The only thing my ministry is going to do is beef up the manpower.

“The other alternative is to get the co-operation of local leaders and volunteers and I am bent to locate as many poor people as I can so they will be given financial help to continue with life,” Dr Ng told reporters at the Kelantan MCA Chinese New Year do here yesterday.

She also commended her officers who managed to process at least 25% of the 44,000 hardcore poor cases.

“The most difficult is identifying the fake from the genuine cases. ” she added.

Dr Ng added that Malaysia was already a welfare state as the poor, physically handicapped, unfortunate individuals, school children and senior citizens receive handouts from several ministries.

Disabled given 90pc discount on rates

Saturday, 31 January 2009





Disabled given 90pc discount on rates
K. Harinderan
The disabled may pay a minimum of RM5 in assessment fee

SELAYANG: The new year has brought good tidings for the disabled living in the district.

They have been given a 90 per cent reduction on the assessment rates charged for their premises.Following the move, which is effective from Jan 1, the disabled would pay a minimum of RM5 on their assessment rates.

The announcement was made by the Selayang Municipal Council president Datuk Zainal Abidin Azim at the first full board meeting for the year, which was held at the council's headquarters yesterday.

Zainal, however, said there were conditions which the disabled had to abide by.

Among others, a disabled person would have to apply to the council with supporting documents to prove his disability.

The premises must also be wholly owned by the disabled person and the application needs to be renewed annually.

Disabled people who earned less than RM1,500 a month would also qualify for the reduction in assessment rates.

Previously, the disabled were charged the full assessment rates which ranged from eight per cent of the value of the property for a low-cost flat to 10.8 per cent for a commercial building.

Zainal Abidin also said that the council had opened a drive-through counter at the entrance of the council's headquarters to facilitate the payment of assessment rates as well as payments to other local authorities and land offices in Selangor.

The counter will be opened till Feb 28 and will operate from 8.30am to 4.30pm daily.

At the board meeting, Zainal Abidin also said that up to November last year, the council's financial deficit had been reduced to RM10.38 million from RM15.8 million for the same period in 2007.

"We are stepping up measures to improve the collection of revenue through the council's enforcement department to ensure that more money is available to develop Selayang," he said.

The announcement came under fire from various councillors who said that collection of revenue was still poor.

They argued that there were many ways for the council to earn revenue and new methods had to be implemented to collect the amounts owing.

Happy Chinese New Year 2009

To All The Well-wishers,

On Behalf of ILTC, Wishing You A Happy & Prosperous Chinese New Year 2009!

May the year of Ox bring you and your family Good health, peace, love and prosperity.

G. Francis Siva

President of ILTC

BIG ANG POWS...Amidst an economic slowdown, Resorts World Berhad

Sunday, January 25, 2009




BIG ANG POWS...Amidst an economic slowdown, Resorts World Berhad kicked off the Chinese New Year celebrations with a hefty RM268,000 donation to 67 organisations. Picture show RWB deputy chairman Tun Mohamed Haniff Omar (second from right) spreading some festive cheer to representaitves of the organisation yesterday

A little help for the disabled

Friday January 23, 2009

A little help for the disabled
JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ at the MPS full board meeting

THE Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) is reducing the assessment rate for premises owned by the disabled by 90% starting this year.

The reduction is applicable to owners of both residential and business premises, with the minimum assessment charge of RM5.

MPS president Datuk Zainal Abidin Azim said although there were not many disabled owners within its jurisdiction, the move aimed to ease the burden of this group.

“After a 90% deduction and if the figure calculated is below RM5, the owner still has to pay RM5, that is our minimal charge,” he said yesterday.

Zainal: The premises also has to be an applicant’s first property.

However, only complete applications will be processed by the council’s Assestment and Asset Management Department. There are also some other conditions.

These include presenting all the necessary documents requested by the department, having a registered Orang Kurang Upaya card and earning less than RM1,500 a month to be eligible for the deduction.

“The premises also has to be an applicant’s first property and he or she also has to reside there or use the premises. The premises shouldn’t be rented out to a third party.

“Once approved, the application has to be renewed every year before Dec 1 and it must get the council president’s approval,” Zainal added.

Councillor Gurdip Kaur proposed the idea at a meeting last year.

Pembinaan ‘tembok’ perlu kelulusan

Selasa 20-1-2009

Pembinaan ‘tembok’ perlu kelulusan

RAWANG – Penduduk yang tinggal di kawasan kediaman rumah teres diharap lebih bertanggungjawab dan tidak membina ‘tembok’ pembahagi dengan kediaman jiran sehingga melebihi tiga meter.

Ahli Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) Zon 16, P Gurdip Kaur berkata tindakan membina ‘tembok’ berkenaan bukan sahaja menjadi halangan konsep berjiran, tetapi juga boleh menimbulkan masalah keselamatan.

Menurut Gurdip, sepatutnya sebelum sesuatu pengubahsuaian termasuk pembinaan dinding pagar luar rumah dilakukan, pemilik kediaman perlulah mendapatkan kebenaran dan kelulusan daripada pihak MPS melalui jabatan terbabit.

“Kita akan melihat perkara ini dan membawanya untuk perhatian pihak MPS. Peraturan adalah peraturan, jika benar jiran berkenaan tidak mempunyai kelulusan daripada MPS untuk membina tembok setinggi itu, mungkin kita terpaksa mengambil tindakan dengan memecahkan dinding tersebut.

“Ini disebabkan, keadaan dinding yang tinggi itu mampu menghalang pemandangan orang ramai sehingga menyebabkan pihak tidak bertanggungjawab seperti penjenayah, mengambil kesempatan untuk memecah masuk ke rumah jiran dan sebagainya,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian selepas melawat sebuah keluarga di Taman Sri Rawang di sini yang dipecah masuk penyamun, petang kelmarin.

Selepas menerima aduan daripada penghuni rumah berkenaan, beliau tidak menolak keadaan pagar rumah yang tinggi itu menjadi punca berlakunya kejadian pecah masuk ke rumah tersebut.

“Sebagai jiran, kita perlulah ada sikap tolak ansur, walaupun berlainan agama dan budaya, malah perlu menghormati keperluan beribadat dan sebagainya antara satu sama lain.

“Jika ada masalah berkaitan boleh berbincang secara berhemah dengan jiran. Bukan dengan cara terus membuat tembok yang menutup pandangan, sehingga setinggi itu. Ini boleh menimbulkan masalah lain, seperti kejadian ini,” katanya.

Mengulas lanjut berhubung insiden di kediaman keluarga terbabit, Gurdip memaklumkan, kejadian yang berlaku menyebabkan mangsa mengalami beberapa kerugian.

“Mangsa merupakan seorang ibu tunggal dan pekerja di sebuah institusi kewangan serta mempunyai dua orang.

Selain berada dalam keadaan trauma, mangsa turut mengalami kerugian sehingga RM3,000 termasuk wang tunai dan barang kemas.

“Namun apa yang menghairankan, bagaimana dokumen seorang lelaki yang tidak dikenali berkaitan Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN) ada di bilik rumah mangsa. Bagaimanapun kita telah melaporkan perkara ini kepada polis dan pihak polis sedang mengesan pihak berkenaan melalui cap jari,” katanya.

Turut serta dalam lawatan ke rumah mangsa kejadian pecah rumah berkenaan malam kelmarin, Ahli Majlis MPS, Md Sabri Md Taib.

School aid for needy kids

Tuesday January 13, 2009

School aid for needy kids
By STUART MICHAEL

BEING a parent, Selayang municipal councillor Gurdip Kaur understands how parents feel when they cannot afford to buy school bags and shoes for their children.

The councillor for Zone 16, Gurdip did her part by giving out school bags and shoes to 30 students recently.

The items were distributed at the Independent Living and Training Centre in Taman Garing, Rawang.Timely aid: Gurdip (in wheelchair) with the children after presenting them with school bags and shoes.

Gurdip, who is the only disabled councillor in Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), said any little help would ease the parents’ financial burden as their children go back to school for the new term.

“I hope this initiative will ensure the children are motivated to study harder and do well in the examinations.

“Also, parents must monitor their children’s progress and keep tabs on their friends and activities,” she said.

Firms urged to give 2pc of jobs to disabled

NST Online » Local News 2009/01/04

Firms urged to give 2pc of jobs to disabled

PEKAN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak proposed yesterday that private sector companies reserve two per cent of their jobs for the disabled.

"In this way, more disabled would be able to serve the companies and lead a better future," said Najib."

It's part of your corporate social responsibility.

"You have been providing financial assistance to them, so now you can offer them suitable jobs in your organisations," he said after attending the Excellence Day ceremony for Pekan Community Rehabilitation Centre (PDK) at SMK Sri Pekan yesterday.

The deputy prime minister said that countries like Japan had a legal provision compelling the private sector to offer jobs to the disabled.

"If they fail to provide the jobs, then the firm must provide financial assistance to the government to help the disabled."

This is just my suggestion to the private sector. I hope they will offer assistance to the disabled" Najib said the PDKs must adopt a culture of excellence to improve further.

"As human beings, we will never be able to achieve our dreams if we fail to adopt the excellence culture."We have to always equip ourselves in all aspects as the people will evaluate us through our achievements."

Najib later handed out excellence awards to outstanding disabled individuals and their parents at the function.

MPS blitz on bungalow hotel

Wednesday January 7, 2009

MPS blitz on bungalow hotel
Story and photo by STUART MICHAEL

THE Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) has slapped a RM12,500 fine on the owner of a bungalow in Bandar Country Homes in Rawang for using it as a hotel since August last year.

The owner has been ordered to stop operations with immediate effect.

Discussion: Gurdip Kaur (right and in a wheelchair) with the owner of the bungalow and MPS enforcement officers.

The bungalow hotel is located in a residential area in Phase Six, Bandar Country Homes.

StarMetro had reported on Dec 24 that the mini hotel had 10 rooms for rent. The operator had placed an advertisement on the Internet inviting guests to book rooms.

Recently, about 50 MPS enforcement officers raided the bungalow hotel, seizing items in the premises.

According to MPS Safety and Enforcement director Ahmad Faisal Badiuzaman, the owner has been told to stop operations immediately or else the council will take sterner action like sealing the place.

The owner, who is disabled, pleaded with the enforcement officers to give her time to get things organised.

MPS councillor Gurdip Kaur, who was at the scene, told the MPS enforcement officers to give the owner some time.

“Since the owner is a disabled person, we will give her about three months. However, she is not above the law and must abide by it,” she said.

“The owner said that she is applying for government permission to convert the premises to a home-stay unit,’’ Gurdip said.