Who Is Disabled?

PETPOSITIVE COMMENT:

DATUK IBRAHIM ALI who infuriated the disabled community for his remarks on Karpal Singh in Parliament House on April 30, last month, spoke to The Star about the matter yesterday.

He was quoted in the English newspaper this morning as saying that he has "no problem" with the handicapped because according to him, he "contributes at lot (for them) in his constituency".

The MP for Pasir Mas went on to say that his remarks to Karpal had nothing to do with the disabled. "I never meant to humiliate (them)", he was quoted by The Star as saying.

"I only targeted Karpal Singh . . . (who) should have asked for permission to speak from the chair (without standing up) before he speaks.

"I did not know that he is also a OKU (disabled person)", he concluded.

It is hard to go any further on this matter as the story has changed now.

According to the report it appears now as if Ibrahim had not asked or expected Karpal to stand up at all.

Is this true or are the facts being modified?

However, I do have a problem with one of his remark in his new statement to the Press.

He says that he did not know that Karpal is also an OKU.

Now, what does that mean?

Is Ibrahim trying to deny the disabled status of the DAP MP? If that is so, then I must say that it is rather absurd of him to do so because everyone knows that Karpal uses a wheelchair for mobility nowadays.

Disabled Peter Tan, in his Weblog, even goes to the extent of describing Karpal as a tetrapegic - one paralysed from his neck down! If this is true, then Karpal Singh's disability is permanent.

He certainly cannot qualify to be an able-bodied person for that.

However, even if his condition is a temporary one, he is currently disabled. No question about that.

As for Ibrahim, the question can be asked if the YB is perhaps also disabled or blind in some way for not having noticed his wheelchair.

My other concerns over Ibrahim's remark are whether he is trying to imply that Karpal cannot be disabled; or even imply that Karpal can never be brought down to the level of the handicapped.

Perhaps Ibrahim should clarify on these matters too.

A last word: It's good to know that the independent MP has, at least, been supporting disabled persons under his constituency.

What is more important now I think is for Ibrahim to start showing his support for the disabled community in Parliament.

And I'd really watch my words very, very carefully from now on as an MP.

aNt PET+BLOGSPOT