KUALA LUMPUR – On behalf of people with disabilities (PwD) struggling with their livelihoods, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, urging the government to satisfy a list of pressing demands from the community in the upcoming revised version of Budget 2023.
According to the Independent Living and Training Centre Malaysia (ILTC Malaysia), 1.8% of Malaysia’s population, or around 633,653 people, are PwD who struggle with paying electricity and water bills, medical expenses, transportation fees, house rent, their children’s education expenses, and other basic necessities.
Via this memorandum, they have requested greater financial aid for PwD, ranging from RM800 to RM1,000 per month in the revised budget, which is expected to be tabled on February 24.
The current government aid they are receiving, they say, is insufficient due to the rising cost of living, especially when many PwD are reportedly unemployed, ILTC Malaysia said in the memorandum.
Among basic necessities they require assistance with include daily health requirements like diapers, catheters, urine bags, and colostomy bags, as well as apparatus like wheelchairs, walking sticks, prosthetic legs, and hearing aid.
Physiotherapy and Braille devices were also on the list of aid sought by the NGO.
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ILTC Malaysia also highlighted that PwD are being sidelined from employment by many companies for the sole reason of being physically challenged.
In addition, it claimed that there are instances of Grab drivers cancelling their rides as they found PwD to be burdensome due to their need for physical assistance.
To add insult to the injury, accessibility in current public transportation systems in the country leaves much to be desired, they say.
The memorandum, which was delivered to the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday, was signed by ILTC Malaysia president Sivasangararao Guruvaloo.
ILTC Malaysia was joined by five other NGOs, namely Persatuan Kebajikan Sahabat Prihatin Kuala Muda (Kedah), Persatuan Kebajikan Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum Malaysia, Global Human Rights Federation, Pertubuhan Gagasan Inovasi Rakyat Malaysia, and the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association.
They submitted another memorandum calling on the government to give consideration to Employees Provident Fund contributors in need of urgent withdrawals to tide them through tough times and restart their lives.
A separate memorandum called on the prime minister’s office to initiate a law to curb and prevent harassment and discrimination against adherents of minority religions.
The memorandums were received by the special officer of the senior private secretary in the Prime Minister’s Department, Muhammad Fikri Khalid.
In December, it was announced that the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry aims to resolve amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 and the Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities report this year.
The ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Maziah Che Yusof, said that the National Council for Persons with Disabilities will continue to oversee the implementation of national policies related to PwD, recommend improvements, as well as perform other functions as listed under the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008.
According to her, the ministry was coordinating the achievements of the 20 leading agencies in the PwD Action Plan 2016-2022, to be presented at the council’s meeting early next year.
“Through various consultation and engagement sessions involving all leading agencies, it is the intention of all parties that the information and input obtained can be used for the planning and implementation of new, more effective programmes and initiatives, specifically to develop and empower the disabled in Malaysia,” she said. – The Vibes, February 19, 2023
