Politicians, parties must no longer neglect PwD – National Council for the Blind, Malaysia

RECENTLY, during the 15th general election, Pakatan Harapan broke the local political mould when they fielded a candidate with Spina Bifida, Dr Noraishah Mydin Abdul Aziz, at P125 Putrajaya – bringing about a momentous shift in the local political scene. 

Some persons with disabilities (PwD) have tried to run for office during elections since 1994, but either they were not accepted to contest under political parties which then caused them to run as independent candidates, or they found it difficult to successfully access the nomination process. 

We as a nation must admit that the reality is, Malaysian politicians and political parties have yet to meaningfully engage with PwD. 

The first major challenge is the lack of understanding and recognition of the struggles and issues affecting PwD among political party leaders, elected officials, candidates and members.  

This, in turn, causes politicians and political parties to fail to truthfully acknowledge and meaningfully fight for PwD-related issues. The lack of understanding also causes them to practise an ableist attitude toward PwD and their issues, resisting change and new ideas for inclusion and tending to pay mere lip service, or using a patronising tone when drafting manifestos concerning issues affecting PwD. 

Second, political party leaders, elected officials, candidates and members seldom engage with PwD and their representative organisations. Even when political parties organise such engagements, those engagements are only done for good optics and are not substantial.  

Third, PwD also finds it difficult to obtain contact information and to engage political party leaders, elected officials and candidates.   

Many elected officials tend to have their office where accessible facilities are not provided.   

Another barrier is the gatekeeping practice among some secretaries, officers, advisors and close confidants of elected officials or candidates. 

This widens the disconnection gap between elected officials and candidates who are interested to advocate for disability issues with persons and activists with disabilities who are capable to provide ideas and expertise. 

Moreover, political parties tend to organise their activities and campaigns at venues that lack accessible facilities and fail to provide sign language interpreters.   

PwD have rights, are voters 

We, the PwD, are Malaysian citizens. We have and should enjoy equal rights as others as stated through Article 8(2) of the federal constitution. 

The right of PwD to political participation is reaffirmed through Article 29 (participation in political and public life) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) as well as action points under the Asean Political-Security Community (APSC) of the Asean Enabling Masterplan 2025: Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

Political parties should not dismiss or be uncaring about issues affecting PwD just because their number is not as huge as non-disabled citizens. PwD who are eligible to vote also take part in the electoral process, thus their participation and struggles must be recognised and meaningfully addressed by political parties. 

PwD form an influential block of voters because this block not only consists of persons with various disabilities but also their parents, family members and allies, making up between 7 to 10% of all eligible voters. 

Furthermore, disability-inclusive development is an issue about good governance and inclusivity. 

Fighting for the issues affecting PwD reflects the real image of equality because this community is a very complex and heterogeneous group that exist across all racial groups, gender, age group, religious belief, and socio-economic status and are living across Malaysia. 

Need for proactive engagement 

On March 18, 2023, NCBM organised a Town Hall themed “Inclusive Political Engagement: Political Parties and Persons with Disabilities”. The event was organised at AC Hotel by Marriott Kuala Lumpur from 8am until 1pm. 

The aim is to initiate a discourse between political parties and PwD about inclusive political engagement. The town hall is part of a broader project; “Advancing Disability Voices, Advocacy, Networking, Collaboration and Engagement’”(Advance) funded by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). 

NCBM is grateful to all panellists, political party representatives and participants who attended the town hall. More than 40 participants took part in the event. 

Though only six political parties took part in the event, NCBM is optimistic about the networking opportunity provided through the town hall. 

All political party representatives recognize that political parties need to learn more about disability issues and increase engagement with PwD, especially youths with disabilities. 

We urge that political parties must proactively engage PwD, not only as mere voters but also as policy and manifesto developers as well as election candidates. Those engagements should start early and not just as seasonal and as mere sideshows. 

Finally, we also urge all political parties to appoint a focal person or establish a dedicated committee that is responsible for the party agenda relating to PwD. 

It is our hope to see a major shift in the near future in Malaysia’s political scenes. – The Vibes, March 28, 2023 

Wong Yoon Loong is the executive director of National Council for the Blind, Malaysia