The disabled are Malaysians too
The Ministry of Family, Community and Welfare Development should be congratulated for coming up with a proposed new law to help the disabled lead a life just like other ordinary Malaysians. They deserve to lead normal lives, they are Malaysians.
The idea had been mooted for quite some time now and those concerned — the disabled, their families and guardians — have been hoping and praying for it to be translated into reality for a long time. They do not have to wait long now as on Monday the Persons with Disabilities Bill 2007 was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat and it is likely to be passed before the House adjourns next week.
As the country has progressed in almost all fields and is now close to achieving developed status, it is only proper that it does more for the unfortunate ones among its citizens, especially those who suffer some form of disabilities or other and are unable, on their own, to lead normal lives.
It is heart-wrenching to see people — yes, people — with all kinds of disabilities sitting on the pavements of roads and side-walks of shops begging while other Malaysians walk by with full stomachs and full shopping bags.
More and more are seen begging at night and at Sunday markets where sometimes those with extreme cases of disabilities are seen. There is suspicion that some are benefiting from these disabled. However all this are about to come to end with the coming into law of the Bill that will be debated in the coming week.
It is most commendable that the ministry recognises that some of the disabled are born into well-to-do families and may not need help but that many may need a lot of help to be able to live normal lives — and does not discriminate between them.
Thus under the proposed law, every certified disabled person will benefit for as long as they are registered with the Registrar of Persons with Disabilities who will then issue them with a disability card. They will then have access to and use of all kinds of public facilities on equal basis with persons without disabilities.
Also under the proposed law the disabled have better employment opportunities. The prospects look rosy for them. But like all good intentions it is at the implementation stage that many disabled will be frustrated by red tape, delays and even outright victimisation.
Thus it is up to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities to ensure that those who have been suffering do not have to suffer further.
