QUICK COMMENT: One is delighted for PartiKeadilan Rakyat and its spanking new office space.
However, the crucial question is: Is it disabled-friendly?
This is what that truly matters in the end for Malaysians with disabilities - especially those in wheelchairs and with walking difficulties.
And let's also not forget the elderly as well.
Quite a few of them I have learnt had put in their votes for a change in Government in our unforgettable polls last March.
Lets hope that PKR - and all other opposition parties - in turn do not forget about their responsibilities to the disabled voters as well as to an ever increasing ageing community.
More and more political ceramahs in the next General Elections will have to start thinking about their needs too when the time comes around.
Of course, it would be hard for PKR to have disability access in their new office if the building itself was not constructed for wheelchairs in its original plan. And from our past experiences, we can't help but feel skeptical about these things that have always been left out.
However, that should not stop or discourage PKR from trying to find solutions to the problem.
One of them could be to create a hot line for disabled Malaysians so that they could at least be able to call the office - even if it was difficult for them to get inside.
Someone in the office can then come downstairs (for the handicapped who can drive) and attend to their needs.
But for the more paralysed, bedridden and poor, PKR officers can make arrangements to go to their homes to help them - something that the previous Government had lacked in its obligations.
Just before Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was arrested in 1998, I recall him giving a speech in the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. It was extremely significant for all disabled people in Malaysia.
He expressed his regret and sadness over the fact that many buildings in Malaysia were still not disabled-friendly.
Something we regret to observe that has changed very little since his unshackling from the prison walls.
The former Deputy Prime Minister was also quoted in the media at the time as reminding all government bodies, corporate sectors and all Malaysians to NOT forget their social responsibilities.
Never neglect the needs of the disabled, he said.
aNt
PET+BLOGSPOT
The Malaysiakini report today:
Opposition PKR will be moving its headquarters from Brickfields to the upmarket Tropicana area in Petaling Jaya next week - barely two months after scoring its biggest electoral victory in the March 8 polls.
The move will be part of its post-election strategy to strengthen the party’s base and work force, as well as to “centralise” the operation of the parent body, Youth and Wanita wings.
pkr new headquarters 020508" title="merchant square pkr new headquarters 020508" align="left" height="208" width="300">The new headquarters will be two spanking new five-storey shop-office buildings located at Merchant Square, which is near the Damansara toll plaza and visible along the highway.
According to PKR treasurer William Leong, the two buildings will cost the party RM5 million.
“We haven’t bought it yet, we will move in and rent it for the moment while we are raising the fund. The eventual plan is to buy the buildings,” he told Malaysiakini earlier this week.
While the party workers are expected to start moving into the new office in stages from next week, the date of the official launch of the new headquarters is yet to be set.
PKR emerged to be the biggest opposition party in the March 8 polls, winning 31 parliamentary seats from only a single seat it controlled after the 2004 poll.
Its allies DAP and PAS won 28 and 23 parliamentary seats respectively.
To house Anwar’s office
The plan to move the PKR headquarters was first disclosed by party vice-president Azmin Ali during an interview with Malaysiakini last week.
According to him, the new headquarters - which is undergoing its final stage of renovation - will also serve as its de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s new office.
Anwar’s office, a bungalow resided by party leader and Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim previously, is currently located at Section 16 in Petaling Jaya.
azmin ali 02" title="azmin ali 02" align="left" height="64" width="64">“After all we are going to be there only for three months, then we will move to Putrajaya, so not to worry,” quipped Azmin when pressed for more details on the new headquarters.
He was obviously referring to the Pakatan Rakyat’s ambitious plan to take over the federal government after claiming it has enough number of defectors from among the Barisan Nasional.
On the plan to buy the buildings, Azmin said the fund will be raised from the public and party members as he denied it was solicited from any particular individuals.
PKR moved into its current headquarters in Brickfields from Shah Alam about three years ago.
PKR’s ally, PAS has also moved its headquarters from Gombak to the heart of Kuala Lumpur last May in an attempt to put a face of modernity to the Islamic party’s image.
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