Annual Allocation Recieved From JKMM

Saturday, August 16, 2008

ANNUAL ALLOCATION RECEIVED FROM JKMM

Last wednesday, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen contributed the annual allocation hand over to ILTC's Secretary Ms. Rina.

Have at least basic accessibility for the disabled

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Have at least basic accessibility for the disabledWith good education, full accessibility to facilities such as buildings and public transport; proper training and understanding employers, persons with disabilities can be an asset to the nation and should be integrated into, and participate in social, economic, political and cultural life in Malaysia.

Y.B. Tuan Anthony Thanasayan City Councillor for MBPJ invited the President of ILTC to a meeting with a field visit at MBPJ to identify the facilities towards disbled people, senior citizen and needys such as disabled friendly parkings, ramps, disabled friendly toilets and etc....

ILTC take this opportunity to thank PJ Councillors and PJ planning and development director Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali for providing such as a good facilities towards a caring society for the disabled, senior citizen and others.ILTC hope that the other Municipal Council's will take this a good example to build disabled-friendly features in their town planning.

PJ to be disabled friendly from now on

Friday, August 15, 2008




PJ to be disabled friendly from now on
By Pauline Almeida August 15, 2008 Categories: Your Council.

As of this month, new buildings that need approval for construction have to meet the Technical Committee for the Facilities for the Disabled requirements — that they have lifts, ramps and toilets designed for people with special needs.

Though the committee’s request had been made two years ago, it is being given focus after some disabled members were elected as PJ councillors this year, including activist for the diabled, Anthony Sivabalan Thansayan.

"Back then (2006), nobody bothered. But now we are more serious, that new buildings have facilities for the disabled," said PJ planning and development director Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali yesterday.

Sharipah said the requirements were in line with the local council’s Building By-Laws for the Disabled, therefore applications to put up new buildings would only be approved if they fulfil the obligations towards people with special needs.

To date, some 15 applications from developers and architects to put up offices and shoplots in Petaling Jaya are being vetted by this technical committee to ensure developers and architects incorporate disabled-friendly features in their layout plans.

"If they fail to adhere to our criteria, then the building owners will be required to amend building plans to get approval for construction," said Marhaini.

Covered car parks by Hari Raya
August 15, 2008 Categories: Your Council

SOME good news for the disabled in Petaling Jaya. From November, there will be 150 sheltered car parks at various public parking lots around Petaling Jaya for the use of the disabled and people with special needs.

The council will provide a logo for people with special needs and their care-givers that are valid for life.

Those suffering from temporary disabilities due to accidents or falls can apply for the logo for a certain period.

"They will be required to renew it on a monthly basis to ensure it is used for the right purpose," said Anthony Sivabalan Thanasayan, a member of the council’s Technical Committee for the Facilities for the Disabled and the Elderly and a city councillor, who has agreed to use his councillor’s half-yearly allocation of RM50,000 towards addressing the needs of the disabled.

Only 50 out of 10,000 jobs snapped up by disabled

Friday August 15, 2008

The Star - Online

Only 50 out of 10,000 jobs snapped up by disabled
By NG CHENG YEEand NATALIE STONEHAM

KUALA LUMPUR: Only 50 disabled people have applied for the 10,000 jobs made available in the public sector, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.

“All kinds of jobs were available, from rank and file such as office boys to management level, but unfortunately, there have been few takers.

“The Government needed to find out why the disabled group had been reluctant to take up the jobs,” she said Thursday after chairing the first meeting of the National Council for People With Disabilities here.

The Government has set as a policy to reserve 1% or 10,000 jobs for the disabled in the public sector as a measure to integrate the disabled into mainstream society.

Dr Ng called on the disabled community to be responsive to the job applications. She said the Government would try its best to overcome obstacles that the disabled faced in the work place.

“They should not have the negative thinking but instead they should apply for the jobs first and let us know what obstacles they are going to face if they take up the jobs.

“If there are more people coming forward to apply for the jobs, we (the Government) might consider arranging the transport for them, including getting buses to go around Putrajaya,” she said.

“I have mentioned it many times in the newspaper about the vacancies available. You (disabled people) cannot just expect us to knock on your doors and inform you about the opportunities,” she said.

DOGATHON 2008

Monday, August 11, 2008

DOGATHON 2008

Bukit Ekspo, Universiti Putra Malaysia

10 ILTC members were specially invited to the Dogathon 2008 at Bukit Ekspo, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang by Petpositive President and Ahli Majlis MPPJ Mr. Anthony Thanasayan.

It was a meaning wonderful day because all the disabled members were given an opportunity to participated in the funfilled event.
It exposed to all types of dogs and dog owners to indulge in somthing out of the ordidnary.
The main highlight of the event is the DOGATHON Race where dogs and owners are required to run for 2.5 km in the early morning collness under the shaddy trees of UPM.

Other than the DOGATHON events there are are other events such as faster eating duo, Space Race, Space Idol, Alien Says, Res-UFO, Agility Jumpers and many more events.

We hope in future there will be more disabled person take part in this event and the organizing team will focus more on disbled friendly facilities.

Anyway it was a very successful event.

Comment From Anonymous

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Breaking News Part 3":

What? Sue you guys in wheelchairs? Come on! Where is the "turn the other cheek" teaching of Jesus Christ?

Mr Lee is a hypocrite of the first degree.

He is not fit to run Beautiful Gate with such an attitude.

Breaking News Part 3

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Breaking News - Part 3

Hi Folks

I regret to inform you all that today at 11.45am that I received a warning telephone call from Mr. Edward S. F. Lee, the Operation Manager of Beautiful Gate Foundation.

He demanded that I withdraw from this blog the following statement he made in the 3rd paragraph of our post yesterday which reads:

"During the discussion, Mr. Edward S. F. Lee honestly told us the truth about Pastor Sia and her team had involved in tarnishing and destroying the ILTC. He feel very sorry for what has happened towards ILTC."

Mr Lee is now denying his statement that Sia Siew Chin had admitted being involved in Kogilavany's police report against us.

He claimed in his own words that the ILTC was trying to make him a "sucker" in the issue.

He has even threatened a legal suit against our centre if we did not retract our statement.

With such an attitude, we at ILTC have totally lost our confidence in Mr Lee that he will be able to carry out an unbiased and fair investigation over the matter.

We have no choice but to doubt Mr Lee's sincerity in wanting to help us at all. He even told me on the phone that unless I withdrew the statement, the investigation will be ceased.

I pointed out to Mr Lee that if he is feeling upset by what is happening so far, imagine how WE FELT when such an scurrilous attack was launched against us by Sia who is supposed to be a pastor of a church, a communion distributor and an award-winner for the disabled.

So much for honour and religious sincerity!

Our only hope for justice is now in the hands of the Rev Hwa Yung, the honourable Bishop of the Methodist Church of Malaysia.

We expect to meet him in the next few days. We have requested for an urgent meeting to resolve this matter.

We understand that he is away at the moment and due to arrive in KL soon.

We will keep you all updated on the latest developments.

Thamk you,

Mr. G. Francis
President of ILTC

A Comment From Anonymous

Friday, August 08, 2008

Anonymous has left a new comment on our post "BREAKING NEWS PART 1":

I am shocked by all the latest developments in your blog regarding Beautiful Gate and your organisation.

As a regular contributor to B Gate, I will now reconsider any donations that I give to the organisation.

I am most shocked by Mr Lee's response to the issue. Rather than take action for B Gate's responsibility and apologise, he is trying to find fault with your comments.

This is most unchristian, to say the least.

A Comment From Readers

Friday, August 08, 2008

A Comment From Stanislaus Anthony stanislaus_8@hotmail.com

I am shocked that A pastor who runs a disable home finding fault on another disable home is this what a person close to god should do.

Pastor if i am not wrong you won the best disable person award and you should be a shinning example to all the other disable person, sad to say that as a pastor and an award winner you have made us the disable very shameful.

BREAKING NEWS PART - 2

Friday, August 08, 2008 - 2.25pm

BREAKING NEWS PART -2

LATEST UP DATE

WE HAVE CALLED THE BISHOP AND WAITING FOR HIS REPLY APPOINTMENT BY THIS AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

MORE UP DATES SOON......

MR. G. FRANCIS SIVA
PRESIDENT OF ILTC

Positive changes

Thursday August 7, 2008

The Star - Lifestyle

Positive changes
Wheel PowerBy ANTHONY THANASAYAN

I AM pleased to report that I have successfully lasted more than a month as a councillor for Petaling Jaya, where I have lived for nearly four decades.

I must confess I was pretty edgy at first. Who wouldn’t be when one considers the kind of responsibilities such a task entails?

My first and daily challenge is in getting dressed for the various events organised by the PJ Municipal Council (MBPJ).

The dress code requires councillors to use lounge suits for official meetings, batik for dinner and social evenings, and casual attire for outdoor and sporting events.

Those with physical disabilities will know how painstaking this task can be. Paralysed legs are like concrete slabs when you have to lift them up and bend them to fit into your trousers.

Fortunately, my service dogs help to lighten the load. They do their bit by taking turns to tug at my clothes and fetch my shoes, along with other tasks.

I am also a very lucky councillor because the MBPJ disabled-friendly van arrives at my doorstep to fetch me to all the council meetings and functions I have to attend.

Getting in and out of my wheelchair and into a car can be exhausting, especially when there are no assistants. The van has a lift to lift my wheelchair into the vehicle.

During meetings, I have the privilege of being surrounded by VIPs eager to help me. Last week, I asked a gentleman to help bring a glass of water into our boardroom, only to realise shortly afterwards that he was a Member of Parliament.

In addition to taking care of my zone which is made up of Sections 6, 7, 9 and 52, I have requested to be in charge of two projects close to my heart.

They involve the disabled and animals, namely dogs. I will head a committee involving NGOs like the SPCA to promote responsible pet ownership (RPO) among PJ residents.

If everything goes well, both animal lovers, as well as those peeved by their presence because of irresponsible pet owners, can look forward to awareness campaigns on RPO.

Expect MBPJ to get tough on pet lovers who pay no regard to their neighbours’ complaints of the misbehaviour of their dogs, too.

In view of the therapeutic role that canines offer to the disabled and elderly, these folks can expect full licence waivers for their pets.

Disabled and elderly residents in Section 10 who have been barred access into Taman Jaya because of a locked gate that has been there for several years, will now be able to enter the park to enjoy the greenery and fresh air there, like other residents.

MBPJ’s landscape department will soon be adding two entrances for the disabled to access the park. Expect to see more disabled-friendly changes taking place in PJ in the near future. These include disabled-friendly car parks, accessible pavements, wheelchair-friendly toilets, registration of PJ residents with handicaps, hospital visits and even possible welfare aid.

Disabled faced with insurance dilemma

Tuesday, August 05, 2008




Disabled faced with insurance dilemma
By LOONG MENG YEE
DESPITE being healthy and financially stable with his own multimedia design firm, G. Danny, 34, is unable to get any medical insurance cover.

Over the phone, the sales agents are eager to sign him up, that is until they see that he is wheelchair- bound.

Danny is not alone in his predicament. Many other disabled people like him are unable to buy medical insurance as they are considered “high risk”.

“It is unfair. Apart from sitting in a wheelchair, I am perfectly healthy. I told the insurance agents I can produce medical reports certifying so, and that my cholesterol level was also low. But the agents do not want to sign me up,’’ he added.

Danny even tried to buy investment- linked insurance, but failed again.

The dilemma faced by the disabled in buying medical insurance was among the items on the agenda of a roundtable discussion at the 3rd Bakti-Mind Conference in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Bakti (the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers) had set up the Malaysian Information Network on Disabilities (Bakti-Mind) project three years ago to empower and promote the quality of life of the disabled.

The 3rd Bakti-Mind project, themed Empowering persons with disabilities (PWD) through information provision and management, began on Thursday and will end today .

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali is the conference adviser, the organising chairman is Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong, with Datuk Noorhayathi Kamaluddin as secretary and Datin Seri Wendy Ong as treasurer.

Danny participated in the roundtable discussion and related his frustration to a group of people who included representatives from the Life Association of Insurance Malaysia (LIAM).

The LIAM representatives said the association was keen to find out the needs of the disabled.

Another round of talks is scheduled for November, and by then, Danny hoped LIAM could offer him some packages, instead of closing the door on him - yet again.

Rawang villagers brought their case to Menteri Besar Selangor

Saturday, 02 August 2008

Rawang villagers brought their case to Meteri Besar Selangor

Some 20 villagers from Kampung Sungai Terentang, Rawang, have submitted a complaint over the installation of high-tension electric cables and a transmission tower in their village to Menteri Besar Selangor.

Their plight began in 2005 when Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and the Gombak land office sent them notice to vacate their houses, to make way for installation of the infrastructure.

The villagers then formed a five-member action committee which met local elected representatives to resolve their problem. However, they were later told that nothing could be done as this is a “national project that involves public interest”.

Last week Selangor Menteri Besar visited the area together with some of the Selangor Exco members and also include some of the Ahli Majlis Selayang who were affected by the 275KV high tension transmission towers project from Kg Sg Terentang Rawang.

Basically, the villagers wanted to remain in the village and they hope the authority could adopt the alternative route for the high tension transmission towers.

In earlier meetings, Menteri Besar Selangor has basically accepted the proposal and he will seriously look in to this matter.

Ms. Rina and Villagers in stand-off with TNB

The Persons With Disabilities Act 2008 enter in force on the 7th July 2008

Saturday, July 26, 2008

To whom it may concern.

Do you know that.........

The Persons With Disabilities Act 2008 enter in force on the 7th July 2008 in Malaysia

On behalf of ILTC, we are deeply regret because we are not been properly informed by the Ministry about this very important matter towards all the disabled people of Malaysia.

We hope that, this kind of attitude in the Ministry won't help the development of PWD in Malaysia.

We also believe that, the Ministry have to focus seriously on the development of PWD and to ensure that the information to be informed in time by the Ministry.

By the President of ILTC

Only 10 Per Cent Persons With Disabilities Registered

Friday, July 25, 2008

Bernama - General

July 22, 2008 19:52 PM

Only 10 Per Cent Persons With Disabilities Registered

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 Julai (Bernama) -- Assistance to the estimated 1.6 million to 2.7 million disabled population in the country is hampered by the fact that only 10 per cent of them have registered themselves.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said only those registered would be eligible for various government aid.

"Because only a small number of them (disabled) are registered, this has hampered our efforts to extend assistance to them," she said when opening a seminar on the Persons with Disabilities Act here Monday.

She said the ministry was expecting the number of disabled persons to grow in tandem with the increase in population and life expectancy as well as the rise in road and industrial accidents

As of last year, only 220,250 disabled people were registered with the Social Welfare Department.

Special schemes provided by the ministry for registered disabled people included a monthly allowance of RM300 for parents or caretakers in charge of those who were bedridden, from January 2008, she said.

Children with disabilities who enrolled in the community-based rehabilitation programmes would be given a special allowance of RM150 monthly starting February this year, she said.

Financial incentives of RM300 monthly would also be given to working disabled people less than RM1,200 a month.In 2007, a total of 16,542 disabled people benefited from this scheme with a total of RM32.9 million disbursed, she added.

Dr Ng said other ministries were also offering various aid for the disabled.

For example, she said, the Human Resources Ministry had allocated RM22 million in financial aid under the Business Incentive Aid Scheme for the Disabled.

BERNAMA

Push for more benefits, disabled urged

Friday, July 25, 2008

NST Online - Local News

Push for more benefits, disabled urged

KUALA LUMPUR: The disabled community must not limit their lobbying for rights and well-being to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said those involved with persons with disabilities must also lobby other ministries, such as the Housing and Local Government, Human Resources, Transport, and Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development.

"Ask the Works Minister to ensure all new buildings provide disabled-friendly toilets and are barrier-free to the disabled," she said.

She pointed out that the Human Resources Ministry has a scheme to assist the disabled in business and employment, with a funding of RM22m under the 9th Malaysia Plan.

"Make full use of the fund. Otherwise the unused money will go back to the government," she said yesterday.

She was attending a seminar on the Persons with Disabilities Act, organised by the National Council for the Blind Malaysia and the Malaysian Confederation for the Disabled

What are the roles of councillors?

Friday, July 25, 2008

What are the roles of councillors?
By SALINA KHALID

THE 288 new councillors for the two city councils and 10 municipal or district councils in Selangor have been assigned zones within their respective councils.

Much has been discussed and debated about the selection and appointment of these councillors since the Pakatan Rakyat state government invited nominations from the community for the councillor posts following the March 8 general election.

Much has also been said about certain characters with doubtful backgrounds and underworld connections who were selected as councillors.

One nominee was alleged to have used his appointment letter to throw his weight around to prevent enforcement officers from doing their duty.

One thing, however, has not been thoroughly discussed and articulated in public, and that is the roles and functions of a councillor.

What roles and responsibilities do the local councillors have?

Under the public administration scheme, the local council is the third tier of government after the federal government and state government.

A recent street poll revealed that most people are not clear and certain about what the functions of their local councillors are.

Many people do not know whether the council appointees are there to represent them or simply given the post as political rewards or to guard the interests of their political parties.

Petaling Jaya resident Hamzah Mohamad thinks that councillors are the eyes and ears of the local council and are those whom people go to when dealing with matters concerning the local authority

“They are like an agent of the local council to me. Yet I do not know exactly what their role is,” he said.

Hamzah, who has been a resident in Petaling Jaya for about 10 years, said he had met several councillors for various reasons, including for assistance in local council matters like parking problems in his residential area.

He knows that the councillors meet every month at a full board meeting to discuss and decide on matters concerning the community.

Other than that, he doesn’t know what else do the councillors do.

Hamzah is not alone. Most people are also in the dark like him.

According to a former councillor, councillors should serve as the eyes and ears of the council so that they can serve the people and at the same time advice the council on what is going-on on the ground.

“They should listen to the needs of local people and take their views into account when making decisions,” he said.

A source in the Federal Local Government and Housing Ministry describes councillors as community leaders who work in partnership with the respective local authority.

According to Federal Local Housing Department director-general Datin Arpah Abdul Razak, an appointed councillor has to be reside in the area of the council’s jurisdiction he is serving and have a wide experience and expertise in the local government matters. She said this in a recent talk.

Section 10(2) of the Local Government Act 1976 states that “councillors of the local authority shall be appointed from among persons the majority of whom shall be persons ordinarily residents in the local authority area who in the opinion of the state authority have wide experience in local government affairs or who have achieved distinction in any profession, commerce or industry, or are otherwise capable of representing the interests of their communities in the local authority area”.

Although it is the duty of a councillor to represent the whole community, he also has a duty to serve the local government as a member of its administration.

A councillor must know what is going on in his area, and to help solve any problems or answer the queries that the community may have.

The councillor’s job involves helping to solve the people’s problems, such as garbage collection, clogged drains, floods, as well the general welfare of the people.

The councillors are among the decision-makers of policies and practices of the council.

They are responsible for helping the people understand the policies and projects of their local councils.

Councillors, hence, are important because they are supposed to be the voice of the community and play a vital role in the functioning of democracy.

They are the community representatives and champion the local issues to enhance the quality of life and development in the area that they serve.

Meanwhile, the newly-appointed local councillors in Selangor comprises party workers, professionals, NGOs, the disabled and women.

Previously more than one councillor was assigned to a zone, but now each has been assigned a zone.

Each will be assigned an office and staff to assist him in his work to serve the community.

Under the Pakatan Rakyat state government, the state assemblymen are not appointed as councillors, unlike the previous Barisan Nasional state government.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim in his speech during last month’s mass swearing-in of the councillors reminded them that they were to serve the people.

He said the process of awarding contracts through direct negotiations had been abolished in Selangor and there would be no exception at the local council level.

“These councillors must strive to improve the quality of the delivery system and find ways to increase revenue and ensure that every ringgit is wisely spent,” Khalid said.

He said the councillors were expected to practice good governance at all times and ensure that decisions made at the sub-committee and full board meetings were favourable to the people.

“They must be impartial and should not allow any parties to exploit their positions to serve unscrupulous interests,” he said.

Roles and responsibilities of councillors

As part of the local council administrative system, councillors carry these roles and responsibilities.

• As a committee member who makes decisions on approval for applications like planning, development, and licensing. Yet at the same time their actions should not be contradictory and against the policy decided upon by the local council for the public interest.
• To advice the local government on matters relevant to their expertise and profession
• To represent the people and the local community in matters pertaining to their living condition at the respective local council.
• As a mediator between the community and the local council and to serve as the patron for their residents association.
• To relay the feedback and response given by the local community on the quality of service given by the local council.
• To be policy and decision makers. To draw a set of local by-laws as a guide for administrative purposes in solving the local issues and on how to give best service to the people.
• To draw the policy to determine the direction of the local council and the direction has to augur well with the state and central government’s policies and at the same time meet what the people want.
• As spokesman for the local council to ensure that policies drawn at the local authority are accepted by the local community.
• To get a response from the community if there is any abuse of misuse of power or funds by the local council.
• To encourage public participation on activities and programs organised by the local council.

Appointment of the councillors

The Local Government Act 1976

• Section 10 (1) - the local authority shall consist of the mayor or president and not less than eight not more than 24 other councillors to be appointed by the state authority.
• residing in the respective local council
• Have wide experience and knowledge in local government affairs
• Achieved distinction in any profession, commerceor industry
• Able to represent the interest of the community they are serving

Editor’s Note: If you have any comments or views on this issue of councillors, please write to us at metro@thestar.com.my.

Exclusive: NEW PUBLIC TRANSPORT CAMPAIGN GROUP Formed in KL!

Friday, July 25, 2008

Exclusive: NEW PUBLIC TRANSPORT CAMPAIGN GROUP Formed in KL!The die-hard group of supporters of the new public transport advocacy body stay back for a dinner after the meeting finished.: They have booked a bigger room for the next meet in the same building.

Following unanimous decision a new public transport group is formed by 14 people who attended a meeting at Bau Bau Cafe, Central Market Annex, yesterday evening. Attendants included disabled people(future public transport users), train users, bus users, cyclist, bus map designer as well as pedestrians!They will decide on a name and the the logistics of how to function on the next meeting on Aug 5th (Tuesday) at 7.00pm, on the 2nd floor of Central Market Annex. Anyone interested to join are requested to contact penangwatch@gmail.com or 013-5900339 (Ong).

The group call upon more Klang Valley residents to join the new initiative so as to give voice to a much neglected group in the nation's capital. Recent drastic fuel hike has highlighted the need to improve the welfare of public transport users across the board. The formation of this grop with great potential will make it easier for the government to get inputs from the Public transport users.

Irresponsible motorists park as they please

Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Star - Metro

Irresponsible motorists park as they please
Story and photos by ELAN PERUMAL

SOME local authorities in Selangor have ensured that developers provide designated parking lots for the disabled but irresponsible motorists have abused these lots and use them for their own benefit.

A random check by StarMetro at Klang, where there are ample parking lots for the disabled, revealed that most of these lots are taken up by normal people.

This is especially rampant at lots located at busy areas like banks and food outlets, where parking spaces are not easily available.Irresponsible: This posh car has taken up a disabled lot and closer inspection reveals neither a handicapped sticker or a credential card.

However, the check also revealed that some of these motorists preferred to park at these lots even though there was ample parking space nearby.

There seemed to be no difference in the general mentality of these unscrupulous motorists whether they drove big or small vehicles.

It is believed that they park their vehicles at these lots for two reasons - they are readily available and parking is free.

The checks were conducted at various part of Klang including the town area, Bandar Baru Bukit Tinggi and Bayu Perdana.

Polio victim M. Paskaran, 45, from Kampung Raja Uda in Klang said finding parking was never easy even though there seemed to be a lot of parking bays for the disabled.

Stuck: Paskaran has been forced to park at regular bays on many occasions.

He said most of these lots were taken up by normal people at the expense of the disabled.

Sometimes, I have to park my car far away and walk to the bank or shops since motorists do not want to leave these parking lots alone.

“The council has provided a lot of parking lots for the disabled. These parking lots are mostly painted blue or red and they have the wheelchair symbol on them,” he said

Paskaran said he often placed his card issued by the Welfare Department on his dashboard so that he would not be fined by the council's enforcement personnel.

However, he said there had been times when he had been issued with compound notices.

“I find it inconvenient to go to the council office to clear the fines and I believe this situation would not arise if I had parked my vehicle at the special lots allocated to us,” he said

Klang Municipal Council president Mislan Tugiu said the council viewed the offence as serious and the offenders would be slapped with a maximum fine of RM300.

He said the council would not compromise with those who abused the privilege offered to the disabled.

“I urge the enforcement officers to be strict and ensure that those who indiscriminately park their vehicles at these parking lots are issued with fines,” he said

Under its caring society policy, Mislan said, the council had made it compulsory for developers of new townships to allocate special parking bays for the disabled.

Shortcut: Able bodied drivers prefer to use the disabled lots as they are nearer the banks and other shops.

Meanwhile, checks at places like Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya and Kajang revealed that such parking bays were not available.

Due to lack of civic consciousness from the public, these councils feel that providing special parking lots for the disabled would not help the situation.

However, they allow disabled motorists to park their vehicles at normal parking bays for free.

“We will not fine them for not paying for parking as long they display their credential cards on the dashboard,” Subang Jaya Municipal Council public relations officer Azfarizal Abdul Rashid said.

Social Welfare Department to search for Malaysians eligible for financial aid

Sunday, July 20, 2008

The Star - News

Social Welfare Department to search for Malaysians eligible for financial aid
By JOSEPH LOH

PETALING JAYA: If you know of anyone who is need of welfare aid, please call Talian Nur at 15999.

The Social Welfare Department is actively searching for Malaysians who are eligible for financial aid but have not registered.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen explained that this new initiative, called Projek Cari, was intended to strengthen the department’s network.

“Over the next two months, we will seek and identify all those who are eligible to receive aid (from the department),” she said.

Dr Ng called on everyone to inform the department if they knew of any families living below the poverty line.

“If you know of anyone who is a single mother, or has no income, or is poor, tell us. Call it public social responsibility,” she said.

Categories eligible for aid include the disabled earning below RM1,200, senior citizens above 60 and earning less than RM700 and whose family members are unable support them, and children from households with less than RM700 income.

“They can go to the nearest welfare office and register with us. Our officers will check to see if they qualify for the scheme. It should not take more than a month to process their application,” she said when opening the National Council of Senior Citizens Organisations Malaysia (Nacscom) Old Folks Home in Kota Damansara.

She also noted that grandparents should not be obliged to care for their grandchildren.

“I’m not asking grandparents to not look after their grandchildren, but I believe they should not feel compelled to do so. That would be very sad,” she said.

Nacscom president Datuk Lum Kin Tuck said the home, which could house 20 people, currently had eight residents.

For more information on the home, contact Nacscom at 03-79585794.