DATUK Seri Nancy Shukri has issued an urgent appeal for increased effort to bring the plights of disabled people to the attention of the authorities as many are believed to be suffering in isolation without any form of government aid.
The women, family and community development minister said her ministry has reasons to believe there are many disabled folk in society who are suffering in silence.
She said this is especially true in rural Sarawak, where such situations are prevalent.
Speaking during a state-level dinner event in conjunction with national day for the disabled in Kuching yesterday, Nancy called on community leaders to put greater effort into locating and helping the vulnerable.
“I call on all community leaders in residential areas, in the kampung and longhouses, especially in remote areas, to locate every handicapped person living in their area.
“Help get them registered with the Welfare Department,” she said.
According to the ministry’s latest figures, a total of 681,074 people are registered as being disabled (“orang kurang upaya” or OKU) nationwide.
“This number is too low. We believe that this figure does not reflect the true number of handicapped people in the country,” she said.
She pointed out that there are many disabled folk who have not registered.
“Many suffer physical disabilities, mental handicap, are sick and bedridden, while being isolated from others.”
“Even in Sarawak, many OKU could be living like this away from others in the remote villages and longhouses,” she said.
One of the major problems disabled people encounter in order to register for government aid is that they need official certification from government doctors or specialists confirming the type of disabilities they have.
“Many in remote areas cannot travel to town for such purposes on their own,” she said. “They need help from community leaders.”
Nancy said the federal government is truly concerned about the welfare of the handicapped and want to help them live a better life.
There are some 6,000 longhouses in Sarawak, many of them located in the deep interiors of the vast state. – The Vibes, December 4, 2023.
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