PETPOSITIVE received a last-minute telephone call and fax from the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development in Kuala Lumpur requesting for us to be present at a meeting at 4.30pm in the building with the Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.The call was made on Monday at noon.
I immediately made a call to Francis Siva, President of the Independent Living and Training Centre in Rawang, Selangor and the next thing I knew, we were all at the Ministry by 3.30pm.
Petpositive was also represented by Stanislaus Anthony who is a person with walking difficulties.
The meeting was held to discuss what special measures in terms of finance was needed for the disabled community in the light of the price hikes that the Government introduced last week.
Representatives of nearly a dozen disabled organisations - together with ours - were also present as we deliberated for two-and-the-half-hours with the Ministry, as well as the Welfare Department about our needs.
The disabled unanimously suggested that a financial aid of RM500 a month be given to all disabled persons - whether they have cars or not. We also suggested that the same help be given to our family caregivers.
There were other suggestions too. Some suggested that the current excise duty for the purchase of cars for the disabled be done away with. Others wanted significant cuts in Internet bills so that all disabled persons can afford them.
Dr Ng Yen Yen was quick to concur by saying that the Internet was a "necessity" for the handicapped.
Dr Ng also invited the disabled to give their frank feedback regarding the services they receive from her Ministry as well as that of the Welfare. She promised that quick action will be taken to our requests.
The meeting ended with the Minister requesting all the participants to send in their final proposals within the week. She will then take our requests to the Ministry of Finance, she said, and lobby for our cause.
Well, let's keep our fingers crossed everybody, that something good and helpful will come out of the meeting to help us all.
One of the things that I was personally disappointed was that no date or follow up meeting was decided on when we left the building.
Let's hope that we will all be called again to the Ministry so that we can effectively tackle many of the other issues that plague the disabled in our Malaysian society.
The meeting was attended by the physically handicapped, the blind, Deaf and a parent or two of the disabled.
PETPOSITIVE was quick to point out that the group present only represented a small section of the disabled.
Others like persons with Parkinson's disease, stroke sufferers, diabetics who became disabled were not present and that all of these persons and more need to be sought to help improve their quality of lives as well.
aNt PET+BLOGSPOT
Here is a report from The Star yesterday regarding our meeting with Yen Yen:
Tuesday June 10, 2008
Yen Yen: Disabled need help in facing price hikes
KUALA LUMPUR: The disabled need help in facing the challenges and difficulties of global inflation, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.
The ministry, at its dialogue yesterday with various organisations representing the disabled, touched on several issues which could affect their lives as a result of the recent price hikes of goods and materials.
Dr Ng said the majority of the disabled did not earn much.
“The global inflation will definitely affect them.
One for the album: Dr Ng (centre, in white) taking a group photo with Wanita MCA members (seated from left) Chew Poh Thoi, Datuk Chang Yok Ying, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun and Yayasan Nanyang Press executive director Ann Woo. At back row (from left) are Carol Chew, Datuk Kian Sit Har, Sarryan Cho of Yayasan Nanyang Press and Chew Lee Geok. “In fact, 98% of these people earn less than RM3,000 a month,” she said after receiving 500 tickets for Disney's Beauty and the Beast – The Broadway Musical, courtesy of show organiser Yvents!
The tickets will be distributed to various homes under the ministry's purview.
Among the issues highlighted at the dialogue were for a reduction in excise duty and no road tax for all cars owned by the disabled.
At present, road tax is free for all national cars owned by the disabled.
“We are getting input from these organisations on how we (Government) can work together to help reduce the challenges faced,” she said.
Other issues include enhancement of the transport system as well as reduction in toll rates.
“There is a need to work out how we can give them a definite support system,” Dr Ng said, adding that at present families who were looking after a handicapped or chronically-ill person were given RM300 per family.
“The organisations have asked for an increase in the amount,” she said.
Dr Ng said her ministry would study the input provided before submitting a proposal to the Finance Ministry.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast – The Broadway Musical will be held from June 24 to July 3 at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
For booking details, contact Ticketcharge at 03-2241 9999 or Yvents! at 03-2287 2811.
The Star is the official newspaper for the musical.
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