Thursday April 28, 2011

Spare them a thought

People living with disabilities need all the support that they can get.

WHEN Gurdial Singh woke up one morning and found blood on his blanket, he realised that something was wrong. Gurdial had been suffering from high fever for three days.

His wife rushed him to a nearby government hospital where they found that Gurdial – a diabetic – had been harbouring a nasty blister on his left toe. He was not aware of the bleeding blister because he had no sensation in that area. More bad news was in store: Gurdial was advised to have his leg amputated.

“My only concern at that time was to stay alive,” recalled Gurdial, 82.

“The five doctors who treated me were very professional,” he added. “They made it clear why amputation was the only way out for me.”

His doctors gave him a detailed description of the process – right up until when he would be fitted with a prosthetic leg to enable him to walk again. Looking back, he said there were several key factors which helped him to make the right decision and accept his new life as an amputee.

Gurdial is very thankful for the support given by his wife.

“She has always been there for me right from day one. I truly appreciate her for it. We made the decision for the amputation together. My wife was with me throughout the ordeal as I struggled to adjust to my new life.

“I am also grateful to my in-laws for their moral support. They even helped with the arrangements to have the amputated limb (from the knee below) cremated in a temple whilst I was still in hospital.”

Gurdial pointed out that his healthcare professionals also played a big role in his recovery. “The doctors told me everything – from what would happen immediately after the surgery to how long it would take before an artificial limb would be given to me. These insights were invaluable to my rehabilitation.”

A wheelchair donation from a state assemblyman before Gurdial’s prosthesis arrived and the sponsorship of the costs of the limb by the Welfare Department proved to be a most welcome gift during his time of need. However, there were changes in Gurdial’s life after his disability.

“Although most of the people I meet talk to me just like a normal person, the invitations that I used to get for social events like weddings, housewarming parties and even New Year gatherings began to drop since I started using a prosthesis to move around,” said Gurdial. “This is probably because of superstitious beliefs about disabilities.”

Gurdial pointed out that there are people who believe that a pregnant woman should never go near a disabled person in case the unborn child becomes deformed.

“When I started to use an artificial limb, nothing about me changed at all,” he said. “I am the same human being with normal feelings like everyone else. It is important that people remember this.”

Gurdial pointed out a couple of incidents which showed up the ignorance people have towards disabilities.

He visited a Sikh temple in Kuala Lumpur once where he was not allowed into the dining room because of his prosthetic leg. A temple official pointed to a sign on the wall which said: “No Shoes Allowed!”

When he tried to explain that he really had no choice because of his mobility problems, he was told: “A rule is a rule!”

Gurdial had another unpleasant experience when he visited a Sikh temple in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. He managed to get into the dining area but halfway through his meal, he was approached by someone who insisted that he remove his shoes or leave. Gurdial had no choice but to comply.

The person offered to take the food and serve him outside. However, not wanting to be humiliated, Gurdial turned him down.

Gurdial pointed out that temples that practise such policies should be more sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities.

Meanwhile, a check with a committee member from the temple confirmed that they do not practise any form of discrimination against the disabled.

Anyone who experiences such treatment is advised to contact the committee at once.

Klang City Council tears down disabled woman’s stall

B Nantha Kumar

| April 29, 2011

The council says all the stalls along Jalan Teratai, Meru, will be demolished.

KLANG: The Klang City Council (MPK) bulldozed a disabled woman’s fruit stall and refused to tell her why it was done.

P Banu, 35, who runs a fruit stall business with her husband in Jalan Teratai, Meru, for the last seven years, said last week a group of MPK enforcement officers came to the stall and asked her to pack up her goods as they were going to tear down the stall.

“When I asked why, they just smiled at me and started the bulldozer. I could not stop them as I am disabled.”

Banu said that she tried to get a licence from MPK but was told she had to register the fruit business with the authorities.

According to her, the MPK wants to clear the land after getting numerous complaints from residents at Taman Daya Maju, Meru.

She added that MPK was selective in tearing down the stalls. A few stalls owned by people from a different race were not touched.

A restaurant and retail store operating from houses without licences were also left untouched.

Said Banu: “I am disabled; what else can I do to make a living? I have two children in primary school.”

She said although she received RM200 from the Welfare Department, it was only enough for school expenses.

A MPK councillor, K Deepakaran, denied that the council was practising double standard, saying that MPK will demolish all the stalls along Jalan Teratai.

“The rest of the stalls have been given eviction notices and will be demolished in the next 14 days,” he said.

Thursday April 21, 2011

About Parkinson’s

Here are 10 important facts you need to know about Parkinson’s disease.

PEOPLE with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) celebrated World Parkinson’s Day on April 11 to raise public awareness of Parkinson’s disease (PD).Wheel Power spoke to consultant neurologist Dr Lim Shen-Yang on the subject at University Malaya Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Dr Lim, a Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders specialist, is the lead author of a PD information booklet that is in the process of being published by the Malaysian PD Association.

Dr Lim’s co-authors, Dr Santhi Datuk Puvanarajah and Dr Norlinah Mohd Ibrahim, are also senior neurologists with a special interest in PD. They had this to say in their introduction to the booklet:

“One of the best ways to deal with anxiety or fear is to be informed. We aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information about PD. You will read about some of the common symptoms, treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help you to better manage the disease. It is important to discuss questions or concerns you may have with a doctor or other healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about PD and its treatments.”

They went on to point out that with the right treatment and a positive attitude, people living with PD can continue to maintain a fairly rewarding lifestyle for many more years following the diagnosis.

One of the highlights of the booklet is the “10 Important Facts About PD” section. These are:

1. PD is a degenerative disease of the nervous system affecting the brain. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease, and affects people of all races.

2. Although PD is more common in older people (affecting approximately 1% of people over the age of 60), younger adults may also be affected (onset can be as early as the teenage years). It is slightly more common in men than women.

3. The common motor (movement-related) problems of PD are “shakes” (tremor) although this is not present in all patients, muscle stiffness (rigidity) and slowness of movement (bradykinesia).

The diagnosis of PD is based on the presence of these motor problems. Imbalance (postural instability) with falls occurs only in the later stages of the disease. Some patients with early-stage PD experience motor symptoms on only one side of the body.

4. Other symptoms unrelated to movement (non-motor symptoms) can also occur. Some examples include fatigue, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, hallucinations, pain, constipation, lightheadedness, urinary difficulties, and sleep disturbances. In some patients, non-motor symptoms can even predate the onset of motor symptoms.

5. The lack of a chemical substance in the brain called dopamine is the cause of the motor (and possibly some non-motor) problems in PD. Dopamine is one of several chemicals (neurotransmitters) used by brain cells to communicate with one another. However, the exact reason why people develop PD is still not fully understood.

6. Genetic factors and environmental factors contribute to the risk of developing PD. However, only 5%-10% of patients have other family members who are also affected by the disease, which is why PD is usually regarded as a sporadic (rather than a familial) condition.

PD does not result from something you have done in the past. It is not caused by overwork or over-indulgence.

7. There is no test currently that can identify PD. Instead, doctors diagnose PD based on the patient’s history and a careful neurologic examination.

There are other disorders that can mimic PD and tests such as a brain scan and blood or urine tests are recommended in some patients to exclude these conditions.

8. There is currently no cure for PD, and the disease worsens gradually over time. Nevertheless, motor symptoms can often be well-controlled with treatment, especially in the earlier stages of the disease. At present, these treatments are mainly based on restoring dopamine in the brain. There are also effective treatments for some of the non-motor symptoms of PD.

9. PD affects everyone differently and treatment needs to be tailored to the individual. Some of these treatment decisions can be complex and ideally your condition should be managed in conjunction with a physician with a special interest in PD.

Often, the benefits of treatments need to be balanced against their potential side effects.

10. Through research and development, the range of available treatments for PD continues to expand. For example, selected patients can experience marked improvement after undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery.

Regarding the last point, Dr Lim points out that three new dopamine agonist medications that provide benefit over 24 hours after a single-dose administration have recently been licensed for use in Malaysia.

The results from an American study showing the positive effects of gene therapy in a small group of patients with PD, made news a few weeks ago.

Dr Lim, who had the opportunity to discuss these findings with Prof Peter LeWitt, lead investigator of this research, considers this an exciting development. However, further study is needed before this form of treatment can be offered in the clinic.

Disabled couple in dire straits

Tashny Sukumaran

| April 21, 2011

Unable to work and too old to apply for housing loans, they're among 41 families of Kampung Muniandy facing eviction.

KUALA LUMPUR: M Veeriah, a 60-year-old disabled man and his partially blind wife Tamilselvi, 59, will be homeless and destitute if the Selangor state government has its way.

Their home of 30 years in Kampung Muniandy PJS1 has been earmarked for demolishment on April 25 to make way for a school project.

In desperation, the couple turned up at the Human Rights Party headquarters in Bangsar to seek help and assistance.

S Jayathas, HRP’s information chief, took up the couple’s cause and this morning handed a memorandum addressed to Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim to halt the destruction of the couple’s home.

The memorandum was handed over to an official at the Parliament, to be delivered to Khalid later.

Jayathas pointed out that as the couple were unable to work and too old to apply for loans, they had nowhere else to go and the demolition would leave them without shelter.

He said that the Selangor government was “morally obliged” to provide alternative housing for free to settlers above the age of 50.

“The state government should at the very least provide them with rent-free homes throughout their lifetime,” said Jayathas.

Notice to move before April 25 He urged the state government to provide a written guarantee to these “underprivileged, victimised Indian settlers” to ensure that they would be sheltered.

The demolition notice requested that the residents move out before April 25.

Kampung Muniandy currently houses 41 Indian families, all of whom have been served eviction notices.

The project developer of Kampung Muniandy had in fact promised to build low cost houses for the initial group of 276 families seven years ago.

Of these, 235 have been shifted to low-cost housing scheme in Lembah Subang but 41 remained despite having signed Sale and Purchase agreements.

All of them paid deposits of up to RM4,000 for these homes costing between RM35,000 and RM42,000.

“The settlers have been waiting for the past seven years for their S&Ps by the developer to be honoured,” said Jayathas.

Game for more

Thursday April 14, 2011

Game for more

WHEN Yam Tong Woo received an invitation recently to participate in an indoor golf competition, he was caught by surprise. He was puzzled that the game was to take place right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur in Jalan Kia Peng, where there are no golf courses.

Yam, 57, who lost his sight more than three years ago, was to compete against sighted golfers. The battle was to take place in a room with a wide screen that would provide a simulated computer golf game experience.

Each competitor would be given golf clubs and a ball. Everything else takes place in a virtual golf course on the big screen.

Virtual fun: Yam Tong Woo (right) with his friends S. Manoharan and Silathul Rahim.

“Despite the circumstances, the competition proved to be just as challenging,” said Yam, who hails from Sungai Buloh in Selangor.

Yam has played in several golf events, including the Handa Singapore Classic last year. He says it was not easy getting back to a sport that he loved so much before he became blind.

“I had to re-learn almost every single thing in the sport,” he explained. “After becoming blind following a mysterious infection, I had to adapt and learn to move around with a white cane. More importantly, I had to get used to living in a new, dark world. I made new friends and learned to get on with life.”

Yam was not the only blind person who took part in the indoor golf competition that afternoon. Two of his blind friends, tagged along to the Golf Club KL City Centre. They were keen to discover blind golf, too.

They had a great time, and to top it off, each of them was given a one-year honorary membership to use the golfing facilities.

Just like in a regular golf practising range in the open, Yam was guided into position with his 7-iron golf club. Then a golf ball was placed in a perfect position for him to strike.

Although there wasn’t a real field in front of him, his physical strike was recorded by cameras controlled by a computer.

The force, angle and aim of his hits were projected on the screen and read out to him during the game.

“The details of my performance allowed me to analyse my shots and make the necessary adjustments in order to deliver neat shots each time,” said Yam.

“As a blind golfer, I have to get used to a lot of sounds such as the ball hitting the big screen in front of me to grasp the game better. I had to take note of the fact that the game was played in an enclosed cubicle and in a U-shaped area, so the sound of the club striking the ball was actually louder than it would be in an open field,” he added.

“Naturally, these new challenges made me nervous at first but I got over it after the first few tries.”

In the computerised field, a popular US golf course was selected via the console controller. According to Yam, this made the game more interesting.

Yam could feel the adrenaline rush as the scores were automatically computed for the duration of the game.

“I couldn’t help feeling just as nervous about the game as I did standing on the tee-box in a normal golf course even though I am not able to see what is happening in both situations,” Yam pointed out.

“Although everything happened on the big screen, it was amazing how real it felt hearing the sounds of the ball entering a few pin holes, as well as the bad shots as the ball landed in water with a splash.

“Indoor blind golf will certainly open new doors of opportunities for people with disabilities,” Yam added.

Happy Tamil New Year and Happy Vasakhi.

Hi Friends,

Wishing you and your family a Happy Tamil New Year and Happy Vasakhi.

Have a great time with your loved ones.

Regards,

Mr. & Mrs. G. Francis Siva

Family demands release of disabled ISA detainee

From Lawyers for Liberty

Family demands release of disabled ISA detainee

05/04/2011

By -

The family of restaurant operator Kadir Hashim, who was picked up by the police under the ISA yesterday, is demanding that he be released immediately, or charged in court if there is a case against him.

“I was told that my brother was arrested under the ISA, but I am not satisfied as I don’t know exactly why was he picked up,” said Kadir’s brother Muda Hashim, 46.

Muda said if his brother had committed any crime, then he ought to be charged in court.

“If he is detained without any reason, that means that we are governed by tyrants,” Muda said at a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya this morning.

Yesterday, a team of about 10 plainclothes officers arrested the 42-year old Kadir, who is without an arm, at his house in Kampung Kerinchi in Kuala Lumpur.

Until now, Muda said, the family does not know anything about Kadir’s whereabouts or his condition.

Subversive activities

Barely controlling his anger, another of Kadir’s brothers, Hisham Hashim, 43, said that he was not allowed to enter the house when his brother was picked up and was only told that he was arrested on suspicion of involvement in seditious activities.

“That reason is too general,” said Hisham, labeling the arrest as biadap (rude) of the authorities.

Lawyer and PKR vice-president N Surendran (left) related that he too was stonewalled as he tried to find the whereabouts of Kadir and the reason for his arrest.

All he got was an admission by an ACP Normah Ishak from Bukit Aman police headquarters that Kadir, who is an activist and PKR Youth member, was indeed detained at Bukit Aman and that a written request was required for more information.

Surendran said he would file a writ of habeas corpus on Kadir’s behalf, demanding his immediate release.

Hishamuddin: Arrest due to security concerns

Later in the day Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Kadir’s arrest under the ISA was done “on grounds of security” and not because of his party affiliation said .

“It is mainly on security concerns,”said the minister when quizzed on the weekend arrest of the handicapped Kadir.

Hishammuddin (right) said he did not sign the detention order as the arrest was done by the police.

Section 73 of the ISA provides for a person to be detained for 60 days, before the minister decides whether to order for further detention.

There is talk that Kadir was arrested for alleged involvement with Cambodian militants.

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has asked the government to prove such allegations in court rather than to detain Kadir under the ISA.

Hishammuddin said he has yet to receive details on the matter and could not comment further.

He said that Kadir was free to file the habeas corpus application to seek his release.

Salhan K Ahmad
Apr 4, 11, Malaysiakini
3:49pm

Ronnie Liu Takes A Bold Step For The Disabled

Story & Pictures are courtesy of Petpositive

Ronnie Liu Takes A Bold Step For The Disabled

SOMETHING truly wonderful transpired for people with disabilities in the state of Selangor last week.

The epoch-making occasion to raise the quality of lives of Malaysians with disabilities was held at the Selangor state secretariat building last Friday.

When it was over, all of us in wheelchairs and other types of disabilities couldn’t stop ourselves beaming from ear to ear just thinking about the ramifications of the event and how for the first time for as long as we can remember, the needs of Malaysians with disabilities will finally be looked into in bringing about meaningful change for everybody.

It started at a press conference event that was called by Ronnie Liu, the state’s chairman of local government, study and research committee.

More than half a dozen nongovernmental organisations for people with disabilities turned up.

I saw that they were well represented.

The Deaf community was there along with the blind. A rep from persons with learning disabilities was also present.

Even the breakdown of wheelchair users was perfect: there was someone who was paralysed from his neck down; those handicapped from the waist down, someone with walking difficulties who also used a wheelchair and even a woman with brittle bones.

Many people don’t realise that wheelchair users don’t necessarily have the same needs. Depending on their level of paralyses, their special needs often differ from each other.

We were all there to form a special committee at the state level. Headed by Liu as the adviser, the meetings will be chaired by a person with a disability.

Our mission is to spend the next three months at least visiting all the 11 local councils in Selangor to help them set up a disability committee as soon as possible.

The Petaling Jaya City Council is an exception to this rule because it already has had an active disability committee that has been meeting every month since three years ago.

The purpose of setting up the committee with disabled persons in it is to ensure that local councils will actively pursue programmes for handicapped and elderly citizens.

The committee will constantly inspire, remind and even monitor the progress stages of each local council’s efforts in creating a barrier-free environment where all citizens can benefit.

It was established at the event that positive changes like this can only come about when the local councils actively engage people with disabilities in their building plans.

The local council chief underscored the importance of local councils working with NGOs for the disabled.

“People with disabilities are in the best position and should be recognised as the experts to advise governments on disabilities,” said Liu.

In addition to the setting up of the committee, here are some other important issues that were mentioned at the press conference:

• The special committee under Liu will be providing the names of the NGOs for each of the local councils.
• The committee will also be involved in education programmes. Liu immediately set aside RM10,000 for the committee. A special national forum is being planned for all local councils throughout the country in June of this year. The purpose of this special forum is to encourage all other local councils to also set up disability committees of their own.
• A special booklet on how to set up disabled committees in local councils will also be undertaken soon by the special committee.
• Plans are also underway to look into a welfare allowance for all disabled persons in the state. It was suggested that the Selangor government look into coming up with a monthly allowance of at least RM500 minimum for each disabled person. Currently, not all disabled Malaysians are entitled to financial aid from the welfare department.
• A study will also be underway shortly to look into changing the local bylaws to penalise people who abuse facilities that are made for the handicapped. These include non disabled persons parking in handicapped spots as well as for building managements that turn disabled toilets into store rooms for mops, buckets and other things.
• The Selangor government will also be looking into ensuring that all buildings – even those with only two or three floors – should be equipped with lifts to assist those in wheelchairs and the aged. One of the methods is to come up with incentives for developers who provide such facilities.

“I have never been excited about the previous promises to the disabled as the one I attended last Friday,” chirped 60-year old Taslim bin Kosni who became blind shortly after he was born.

“Finally, not only something very positive for the handicapped in Malaysia but also some strategies that will actually make a lasting difference in our lives,” he told Wheel Power after the meeting.

I couldn’t agree with him more.

The End

Change for the better

Thursday March 31, 2011

Change for the better

SOMETHING wonderful has transpired for people with disabilities in Selangor. The move to raise the quality of life of Malaysians with disabilities was discussed at a press conference held at the Selangor state secretariat building last Friday.

When it was over, all of us in wheelchairs and those with other types of disabilities couldn’t stop beaming from ear to ear just thinking how our lives will be changed for the better.

It started at a press conference called by Ronnie Liu, chairman of the state’s local government, study and research committee.

More than half a dozen non-governmental organisations for people with disabilities turned up. They were well represented. The deaf community was there along with the blind. A representative of persons with learning disabilities was also present.

Even wheelchair users were well-represented. There was someone who was paralysed from the neck down, those handicapped from the waist down, someone with walking difficulties, and even a woman with brittle bones.

Many do not realise that wheelchair users do not necessarily have the same needs. Depending on their level of paralysis, their special needs often differ from one another.

We were all there to form a special committee at the state level.

Headed by Liu as the adviser, the committee meetings will be chaired by a disabled person. Our mission is to spend the next three months visiting all the 11 local councils in Selangor to help them set up a disability committee.

The Petaling Jaya City Council is an exception because it already has an active disability committee.

The purpose of setting up such committees is to ensure that local councils will actively pursue programmes for the handicapped and elderly citizens.

The committee will monitor the progress of each local council in creating a barrier-free environment that benefits everyone.

It was highlighted that positive changes like this can only come about when the local councils actively engage people with disabilities in their building plans.

Liu underscored the importance of local councils in working with NGOs for the disabled. In addition to the setting up of the committee, the following issues were also raised at the press conference:

> The special committee under Liu will provide the names of the NGOs for each of the local councils.

> The committee will be involved in educational programmes. Liu set aside RM10,000 for the committee. A special forum is being planned for all local councils throughout the country in June. It is aimed at encouraging local councils to set up disability committees of their own.

> A special booklet on how to set up disabled committees in local councils will be compiled by the special committee.

> Plans are also under way to look into a welfare allowance for disabled persons in the state. It was suggested that the Selangor government consider a monthly allowance of at least RM500 for each disabled person. Currently, not all disabled Malaysians are entitled to financial aid.

> A study will be carried out to look into changing local by-laws to penalise people who abuse facilities for the handicapped. These include non-disabled persons who park in lots allocated for the disabled, as well as building managements that turn disabled toilets into store rooms.

> The Selangor government will look into ensuring that all multi-storey buildings are equipped with lifts for the benefit of the wheelchair-bound and the elderly. One way is to come up with incentives for developers who provide such facilities.

Tuesday March 29, 2011

Welfare dept bent on eradicating KL of beggars

By FAZLEENA AZIZ
fazleena@thestar.com.my
Photos by LOW BOON TAT

THE Federal Territory Welfare Department (JKMWP) is taking steps to rid Kuala Lumpur of beggars.

It is not an easy job because the officers from the department have to deal with various people and situations while carrying out operations.

Often the officers have to use their persuasive powers to get the beggars to follow them while some had to be carried into the truck.

When it involves women and children, female officers are called in to handle the situation.

Helped out: Welfare department officers wheeling a beggar found in Chow Kit to the van.

Federal Territory Welfare Department deputy director Mujah Hamad said begging was now more of a profession.

“People used to beg for food and money. But now even if the beggars have a comfortable home, they still go out into the streets to beg.

“In genuine cases, they usually have family problems so they end up on the streets.

Some of these beggars may be disowned or abandoned by their families,” he said during an operation last week.

A total of 18 beggars were caught under Section 3 (2) of the Destitute Persons Act 1977 in the operation in Chow Kit, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Metro Prima Kepong and Jalan Peel in Kuala Lumpur.

Under escort: Several Myanmar women and children being taken away from Jalan Bukit Bintang.

Once caught, the victims are documented and sent to Desa Bina Diri in Kuala Kubu Baru.

The Welfare Department will then file papers in court to get a temporary holding order, requiring the person to stay at the centre for 30 days.

After investigations, the court can order the beggars to be sent for rehabilitation at Desa Bina Diri in Mersing, Johor, and Desa Bina Diri Jerantut, Pahang.

Those aged between 18 and 59, are placed at Desa Bina Diri for rehabilitation and vocational training while those below 18 are placed at the Rumah Kanak-kanak/Rumah Budak Laki-laki under the Children Act 2001.

Those over 60 years with no relatives or caretakers or no source of income will be cared for at Rumah Seri Kenangan.

Getting details: Darus (left) talking to a beggar in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

While waiting to be documented after the operation, several Myanmar women and children were caught begging in Bukit Bintang.

The women with babies said their husbands had left them and they had to find money for the sake of their children.

A young Myanmar girl and her sister who were caught in Bukit Bintang said begging was the only way to get money for the family.

The girl who was born here speaks fluent Bahasa Malaysia and said there were 11 of them at home.

“My mum earns very little to take care of the children and we don’t receive money from the United Nations refugee agency anymore, so how are we to survive.

“Some of us go to school, so we need the money otherwise we won’t have anything to survive on,” she said, adding that begging was the only available option.

The department also picked up some abandoned old people in Jalan Peel based on complaints received.

An old fragile Chinese woman and an Indian Muslim man with poor hearing and vision were seated in the van waiting to be transferred to a home.

The old woman said she lived with her son but he was not at home most of the time.

“I have to resort to wearing pampers and I hate it.

“I had a hard life where I used to sell coffee and often had blisters from the spilled hot water,” she added.

There was also a case where an old Indian man chose to follow the department officers because his children no longer wanted to take care of him due to his unpredictable behaviour.

There were three “colourful” beggars nabbed in Bukit Bintang.

The three men had painted their faces and clothes in gold dust to earn some money.

Mujah, who spoke to the three of them, revealed that they were jobless and were ex-convicts.

They said it was hard to find any job in the city but Mujah assured them that there were opportunities if they were not so choosy.

Senior community welfare assistant officer Darus Hassan, who coordinated the operation, said they had to move fast to nab the beggars to prevent them from running away.

For Darus, some of the beggars are “repeat offenders”.

“I know most of them as I have caught them a couple of times before.

“Each time I place them at the centre, they manage to escape and get back to the streets.

“However, some of them have progressed and live a good life now.

“It is not easy to get rid of these beggars because in some places there are syndicates operating and we have act very tactfully to catch them,” he said.

Darus added that he always prepared the officers before any operation because the beggars would use tactics to get themselves out.

“Usually the beggars will say they have a home and that they are only here for a short time to rest.

“In the case of women and children, they will start to cry.

“But we must be resilient and immune to all of this, otherwise we cannot get any work done.

“At the end of the day, they must be taken off the streets,” he said.

Darus spends his evenings and free time roaming and scouting areas that are hotspots for beggars and tries to save them from the syndicates

Saturday March 26, 2011

New by-laws to be drafted to prevent abuse of facilities meant for the disabled

By TEH ENG HOCK
enghock@thestar.com.my

IF YOU have escaped countless times for parking your car in a bay meant for the disabled, you may not be so lucky the next time around.

All local authorities in Selangor will soon have a new by-law empowering the councils’ enforcement officers to issue compounds to the drivers who misuse facilities meant for the disabled.

Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu said the new by-law would be drafted for the 12 local authorities in the state to prevent people from using facilities designated for the disabled.

“The summons should also be extended to places such as shopping malls, where the toilets for the disabled are being used as store rooms,” he said at a press conference to announce the setting up of technical committees on facilities for the disabled at state and local council levels.

Liu was surprised when Malay Disabled Society representative Suhairi Abdullah told him that while it was good to have more facilities for the disabled, it was pointless if there was no enforcement.

“There are all these facilities but people are using it.

“I live in Ampang and many times I have complained to council officers or the police about people parking in the bays for the disabled but they say they cannot issue a summons,” said Suhairi.

Liu immediately responded that something had to be done and said it would take at least three months to pass the new by-law empowering the local authorities to issue summonses.

He said workshops would have to be held to determine the mechanism and the amount for the fine, before it could be forwarded to the state executive council for approval.

“We can have a uniformed by-law for the whole state. The whole process will take at least three months.

“It is only March now, so we have to get it done by this year,” he added.

On the setting up of technical committees for the disabled, Liu said this would ensure the disabled community had a say in the planning and development of disabled-friendly facilities.

“It is not that a person is not sensitive to the needs of the disabled but sometimes it does not cross his mind.

“And it is then too late when the structure is up and found to be not suitable for the disabled,” he said.

Liu said the committees would have representatives from the disabled community.

The committees at the local authority-level will be set up one at a time, with all councils to have them by the year-end.

At the moment, only the Petaling Jaya City Council has a technical committee on disabled facilities.

Gifts For The Disabled

Gifts For The Disabled

Selangor State Local Government Committee chairman Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew officially appointed The Selangor State Level Disability Committees on today. Finally we’re able to see some positive changes happening for us in the state.

He said that, these Committee will have to actively include and work with people with disabilities with all types of categories at least once a month.

All 12 local councils in Selangor have been ordered to set up disability committees within few months as part of the state government's plan to improve the quality of lives of disabled Malaysians in towns and cities.

The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), however, has been exempted from the ruling as they already have a very active disability committee going within its council since the Pakatan government was formed in 2008.

All the 11 other councils will have to set up their committees by soon.

On Monday, March 28, 2011 we (Selangor State Level Disability Committees) will be having a special follow up meeting at the headquarters of the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) in Bandar Baru Selayang, Selangor.