Welfare Dept sets realistic criteria for all - NST

2009/04/27

Welfare Dept to set realistic criteria for aid

KLANG: The Welfare Department will introduce more realistic criteria for dispensing aid by not looking at assets such as television sets and refrigerators as reasons for disqualification.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said television, refrigerator and Astro service could no longer be considered luxury items.

"Even a car is no longer a luxury as it has become a necessity now. The system we intend to introduce will be more effective and realistic and reach our target group without giving them a hard time," Shahrizat said after closing a community programme at Taman Sri Menegun hall here yesterday.

"We no longer want welfare aid to be restricted by bureacracy which creates trouble for our target group, especially the elderly and the disabled.

"Imagine they have to spend a lot of money to rent a car just to go to the office to apply and bring back between RM200 and RM300."

From ILTC Blog

‘OKU tak kaya kalau ada TV'

Jumaat, 24 April 2009

‘OKU tak kaya kalau ada TV'

BINCANG...Shahrizat mengadakan rundingan dengan golongan OKU yang mengadakan bantahan, semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR: Tindakan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) menarik semula bantuan kepada orang kurang upaya (OKU) hanya kerana di rumah mereka terdapat televisyen dan Astro disifatkan sebagai satu tindakan keterlaluan.

Berikutan itu, seramai 15 OKU berkumpul di hadapan pejabat Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat (KPWKM) di sini untuk bertemu Menterinya, Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil bagi meluahkan rasa tidak berpuas hati mereka berhubung tindakan berkenaan.

Dalam kejadian kira-kira jam 3 petang itu, semua peserta bantahan terbabit memegang sepanduk sambil melaungkan ‘kami mahukan pembelaan...jangan tindas kami’ kira-kira 10 minit di hadapan bangunan itu sebelum bergerak masuk.

Pengerusi Persatuan Badan Latihan dan Hidup Berdikari, G Francis Siva, berkata pihaknya amat terkilan dengan tindakan itu dan ia satu diskriminasi kepada mereka yang tidak berupaya.

“Hanya kerana kami memiliki Astro dan televisyen mereka mahu menarik semula bantuan yang disalurkan selama ini. Ini adalah tindakan mengarut dan lebih kepada penindasan.

“Mereka sepatutnya berbincang dengan mana-mana wakil OKU terlebih dulu sebelum mengambil tindakan seumpama itu bagi mengelakkan keadaan menjadi lebih buruk,” katanya ketika ditemui di sini, semalam.

Menurutnya, golongan OKU hanya mampu mendapatkan maklumat dengan menonton televisyen manakala segelintir saja daripada mereka mempunyai Astro bertujuan untuk berhibur. “Semua orang tahu peralatan elektronik kini dijual pada harga murah dan saya yakin pemilikan televisyen dan Astro bukanlah menandakan kami berkemampuan ataupun hidup mewah.

Sebaliknya, kami juga manusia biasa dan punya naluri untuk berhibur dengan cara tersendiri.

“Lagipun fasiliti di negara ini tidak berpihak kepada golongan OKU untuk berhibur seperti menonton wayang. Inilah (televisyen dan Astro) satu-satunya ruang untuk kami berbuat demikian,” katanya.

Sharizat yang ditemui selepas perjumpaan dengan wakil OKU kira-kira lebih 20 minit berkata pihaknya mengalu-alukan maklum balas seumpama itu daripada orang ramai dan berjanji akan mengambil tindakan susulan.

“Tujuan kita bertindak demikian bukanlah untuk menindas mana-mana pihak sebaliknya dilakukan bagi memastikan ketelusan selain bersifat lebih adil kepada mereka yang lebih memerlukan,” katanya.

Peraturan sekat elaun OKU dikaji

Jumaat, 24 April 2009

Peraturan sekat elaun OKU dikaji

SHAHRIZAT bertemu OKU yang tidak puas hati mengenai penarikan semula bantuan kewangan bagi golongan OKU di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR: Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat memberi jaminan akan mengkaji semula peraturan menyekat orang kurang upaya (OKU) menerima elaun kebajikan sekiranya mereka memiliki televisyen atau Astro.

Menterinya, Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil memberi jaminan itu selepas berbincang dengan sekumpulan 12 OKU yang mengunjungi pejabatnya di sini, semalam.

"Anda memberitahu saya untuk melihat semula peraturan ini, saya akan melihatnya... saya berasakan permintaan ini adalah wajar dan saya akan melihatnya kembali. Kita akan kembali dengan jawapan yang realistik," kata Shahrizat. Beliau turut menegaskan peraturan itu tidak bertujuan untuk mendiskriminasi OKU.

Shahrizat berkata demikian mengulas laporan akhbar New Straits Times, semalam, bahawa golongan OKU yang memiliki televisyen atau Astro di rumah masing-masing disekat daripada menerima bantuan kebajikan.

Beliau kemudian menjelaskan, peraturan itu hanya dikuatkuasakan terhadap mereka yang tergolong di bawah skim OKU yang tidak mampu bekerja dan diberi bantuan RM150 sebulan.

"Apabila OKU mempunyai kemudahan Astro di rumah mereka... ini ditakrifkan sebagai petanda OKU sudah mampu berbelanja lebih... dalam konteks ini untuk hiburan. "Tindakan menggunakan Astro dianggap sebagai perbelanjaan bulanan tambahan yang mengurangkan penggunaan wang bantuan untuk keperluan asas," katanya.

Bagaimanapun, Shahrizat menegaskan peraturan itu tidak menjejaskan dua lagi skim kebajikan untuk pekerja kurang upaya dan penjaga OKU lumpuh yang menerima bantuan bulanan RM300.

"Mereka yang masih menguat kuasa peraturan ini terhadap dua kategori OKU terbabit boleh diambil tindakan. Bagaimanapun, saya akan mengkaji semula peraturan berkaitan pemilikan Astro dan televisyen," katanya.

Terdahulu, keadaan agak tegang di ruang menunggu kementerian terbabit dengan beberapa individu membawa sepanduk mengutuk peraturan itu tetapi suasana kembali tenang sebaik Shahrizat tiba.

Beliau kemudian berjabat tangan dengan semua OKU yang berada di ruang menunggu kementeriannya sambil bertanya nama dan latar belakang sebelum menarik sebuah kerusi duduk bersama mereka untuk mendengar masalah dibangkitkan.

Disabled protest against Astro ruling - The Star

Thursday April 23, 2009

Disabled folk protest against Astro ruling

KUALA LUMPUR: About 20 disabled people turned up at the Women, Family and Community Develop-ment Ministry yesterday to protest against the ruling barring those with Astro from receiving welfare aid.

The wheelchair-bound protesters were led by Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Silva, who urged the ministry to reconsider its ruling. Silva said the ruling was a clear indication of discrimination against the disabled.

“The RM50 subscription fee is minimal. Astro channels have become a source of information and knowledge for our children. We don’t want the Welfare Department to withdraw the allowance which we are entitled to,” he said.

The group later met Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil for 30 minutes.

In a statement, Shahrizat said the aid was meant to assist the poor and needy with basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter.

“Subscribing to Astro for an entertainment channel is considered a monthly expense that would reduce the amount of welfare aid,” she said, adding that there would also be more dialogues and reviews of legislation, policies and regulations to enhance the quality of the lives of the disabled.

Petpositive Meets Sharizat

Shahrizat to review Astro ruling, brings hopes to disabled

By : Suganthi Suparmaniam

Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil meeting with representatives from three organisations for the disabled yesterday. — NST picture by Yazit Razali

Minister meets disabled reps, promises to come up with realistic solutions to meet their needs.

KUALA LUMPUR: The disabled may yet get to enjoy Astro satellite programmes together with Welfare Department aid.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the department would be reviewing the ruling that bars the disabled from getting aid if they had a television set or Astro service at home.

She said this at a meeting with 12 disabled people who came to see her at her ministry yesterday over the issue.

The disabled, who came in wheelchairs, were from the Disabled Persons Integrated Family Services (KIOKU), Independent Living and Training Centre and the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association.
"You are telling me to look at it, which I will. I think it's a reasonable request and I will look at it," she said, adding the ruling did not constitute discrimination against the disabled.

"We will come back with realistic answers."

Shahrizat was responding to a report in the New Straits Times yesterday on the disabled being barred from getting welfare aid if they had a TV set or Astro at home.

She said the ruling only applied to those under the Disabled Persons Unable to Work scheme, who were being given RM150 per month in aid.

"The underlying principle for welfare aid to the poor and needy is to ensure that their basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter, are met.

"As such, the ruling on Astro is applicable because it gives an indication of the affordability of the applicant to spend on something extra, in this case entertainment."

She said Astro was considered a monthly expense that would reduce welfare aid being used for basic needs.

Shahrizat said the ruling did not affect the other two welfare schemes for disabled workers and people caring for a bedridden disabled person, who get RM300 a month.

She said action would be taken against officers who imposed the ruling on people in these two schemes.

Earlier, the mood in the waiting room at the ministry was dark, with the disabled carrying placards condemning the ruling.

But the atmosphere changed when Shahrizat entered and shook hands with them, asked their names and their backgrounds before pulling up a chair to sit with them.

She said she understood the predicament of the disabled, with most lying on a bed the whole day, with nothing to do but stare at empty walls.

Shahrizat said she would also speak to Astro to provide free services to the disabled as part of the company's corporate social responsibility. There are 28,608 disabled people registered with the ministry.

This report is by New Straits Times.

Got Astro? No welfare aid for you - NST

Got Astro or TV? Sorry, no welfare aid for you

By : Suganthi Suparmaniam

KUALA LUMPUR: The words "disabled, Astro" and "aid" cannot occur in the same sentence, as far as the Welfare Department is concerned.

The department bars the disabled from getting welfare aid if they have Astro or a television set at home.

The rule applies even if one lives in someone else's house, temporarily or otherwise.

S. Karupanan, 73, found this out the hard way three months ago when the department cut the RM200 aid to him as he was temporarily staying in a house which "had Astro service".

The department had paid for surgery on one knee and promised to underwrite the cost of the operation on the other knee.
But while awaiting the second surgery, he moved into his daughter's house and his troubles began.

Welfare officers who came to visit him saw red when they chanced upon the Astro connection and immediately withdrew the aid.

For K. Shanmugam, 51, who applied for welfare assistance in 2005 on becoming paralysed, it has been a string of "no's" from the department for aid.

His mistake, he believes, was his honest reply when asked if he had a television set and Astro at home.

"That's the first question they asked. When I said I had both, they immediately said that I was not eligible for assistance as there were others poorer than me."

The former crane driver, who was earning RM2,000 in Singapore when a motorcycle accident four years ago left him paralysed, was baffled by the department's decision.

He said that the bills of the family of six were paid by relatives who realised that he only had Astro to keep him company when the children were out of the house.

"I cannot work. The only pleasure in my life now is the Astro service," he said.

Another extreme case is that of a a disabled 40-year-old, paralysed from the neck downwards, who lives with her partly-paralysed mother.

The disabled woman, who declined to be identified, decided against applying for an Astro connection after being warned by a welfare officer that they would cut aid to them if she did so.

What she cannot understand is why they would do so as Astro was the "only" company she and her mother could have at home.

"We cannot leave our house and we live on donations and welfare aid. What's wrong if some people who sympathise want to get us an Astro connection?"

Welfare director-general Datuk Meme Zainal Rashid could not be reached for comment.

Correction: There IS a national society for people with parkinson's

Tuesday April 14, 2009

There are other places Parkinson’s patients can go to

I REFER to “More Specialists Needed” (Sunday Star, April12) in which it was reported that the Negri Sembilan Parkinson’s Society was the country’s only support group for those afflicted with the symptoms.

I wish to clarify that there is already a national Parkinson’s association in Malaysia - Malaysia Parkinson’s Disease Association or Persatuan Parkinson Malaysia.

It was registered in September 1994 as the country’s first support group for people with Parkinson and their families. The late Lloyd Tan Pao Chan was one of the founding members and a life president of the association.

Currently, we have about 650 members nationwide. We are also affiliated with the Asia-Pacific Parkinson’s Disease Association.

We play an important role in keeping the members connected, help them manage their conditions and listen to their needs and carry out activities based on these needs.

Our centre is located in Happy Garden, Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur, and serves as the secretariat, recreation and rehabilitation centre of the association.

SARA LEW,

President, Persatuan Parkinson Malaysia.

Parkinson's on the rise - The Star

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia needs more neurologists to overcome limitations in treating diseases such as Parkinson’s.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said there should be one neurologist for every 250,000 people, meaning the country needed 112 neurologists. There are now only 50 such specialists.

Caring concern: Liow greeting patient S. Tanjamal, 72, at the World Parkinson’s Day celebration in Petaling Jaya yesterday. With them are Negri Sembilan Parkinson’s Society president Gharizah Hashim (left) and Tanjamal’s daughter S. Rayvathi, 47.

“There are 15 in the ministry and 35 working in the private sector,” he told a press conference yesterday after launching World Parkinson’s Day.

Liow said having more specialists would mean giving those suffering from such diseases a better quality of life.

On the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in the country, Liow said at least 15,000 to 20,000 Malaysians suffer from the disease.

The figure is expected to rise to between 25,000 and 30,000 by 2020 with at least 1,500 new cases occurring annually.

Parkinson’s disease gradually destroys nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement. Most cases have no known cause.

Liow said those affected could be treated with medication until the disease reached an advanced stage when Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery becomes an option.

“DBS surgery is expensive, however, with the procedure costing RM80,000 and subsequent follow-ups costing RM60,000 every five years,” he added.

Liow also proposed that the Negri Sembilan Parkinson’s Society (the country’s only support group for Parkinson’s) set up a National Parkinson’s Society so the ministry could support it.

Liow later presented a cheque for RM40,800 on behalf of the Lloyd Tan Trust Fund to Parkinson’s sufferer Pandirajan Subramaniam to help him pay for the costs of DBS surgery.

Meanwhile, Liow said his ministry already had key-performance indices in place with targets set for areas including child mortality rates, mother mortality rates, number of dengue cases and number of HIV/AIDS cases.

US First Puppy On Tuesday - BBC Online

Obama family 'picks first puppy'

Mr Kennedy, a fan of the water dog, is said to have gifted one to the Obamas

The promised US presidential pooch has been picked, US media reports say.

The soon-to-be "first puppy" is a six-month-old black-and-white Portuguese water dog that the Obama girls have named Bo, the Washington Post reports.

The girls - Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7 - were promised a puppy by their father, US President Barack Obama, as a reward for coping with the election campaign.

The water dog, which does not shed hair, is said to be less aggravating for Malia who suffers from allergies.

The identity of the puppy - which had been one of Washington's best kept secrets - will be officially revealed by the White House on Tuesday afternoon, the Post said.

But news of the furry addition to the Obama family was leaked by unnamed staffers to the Washington Post and AP news agency.

'Good behaviour'

They said young Bo - who sports a white chest, white paws and a white goatee - was a gift to the Obama daughters from close family friend, Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.

Choosing the First Puppy

Mr Kennedy, who owns three water dogs himself, said in January that he was "proud to endorse the Portuguese water dog as the next First Dog of the United States".

He said the breed would be a "perfect fit for the Obama Family" as the dogs have a "can-do and hopeful spirit" and were smart, resilient, determined, optimistic and tireless.

Bo was reported to have charmed the first family during a secret meeting at the White House a few weeks ago, the Post said, citing an unnamed source.

It said the top dog made no toileting errors and did not gnaw on the furniture because he has been receiving lessons in good behaviour from the Kennedys' dog trainers at a secret location outside Washington.

The choice of the US presidential pooch has been a pet topic for the nation's press ever since Mr Obama promised his daughters a puppy during the campaign.

The president, for his part, has embraced the media buzz.

Advertisement

Obama puppy keenly anticipated

"Oh, man, now, that's top secret," he joked on Friday as reporters pressed him again on the issue.

He also made light about his promise to his girls during last month's appearance on Jay Leno's talk show.

"This is Washington. That was a campaign promise," Mr Obama said, as the audience roared with laughter. "No, I'm teasing. The dog will be there shortly."

But sources told the Post that the dog was not in the White House as of Saturday evening.

Have a heart, MBPJ!

Thursday April 9, 2009

Have a heart

WHEEL POWER
By ANTHONY THANASAYAN

Disabled and elderly dog owners are upset by MBPJ’s decision not to waive the dog licence fee.

APRIL 1 turned out to be a disappointing day for pet lovers. It was reported in the newspapers that the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), in a majority decision, had chosen not to grant free dog licences to handicapped and elderly residents.

A proposal was put forward to the council to offer a full fee waiver for disabled pet lovers, and a 50% discount for all elderly persons in PJ.

(Currently dog owners in PJ pay RM10 annually for their pets. Only the Shah Alam City Council offers such relief to the disabled and elderly.)

The proposal was meant to offer some relief and support for persons whose pets play an integral role in their lives. The proposal came from handicapped and elderly members of Petpositive, an animal-assisted therapy society where I serve as president.

It has the backing of several disability and animal NGOs, namely, the Independent Living and Training Centre in Rawang, Selangor, the Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association in Kuala Lumpur, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Selangor.

The move raises an important question about how local councils operate. When decisions that affect the lives of disabled persons are made, do our local governments ensure that they consult the disabled before they give the go-ahead?

And in this particular situation, not just any disabled person but the handicapped and the elderly who are receiving animal-assisted therapy.

Dogs possess an uncanny ability to help the disabled to lead positive lives. In so doing, the handicapped are able to achieve a better quality of life. This has been proven by medical experts and researchers.

Do those who make such decisions take the trouble to visit the homes of individuals with disabilities to see these wonderful canines in action?

Do decision-makers know what it’s like to be in a wheelchair? Or what it’s like to soil their pants because they have a weak bladder or poor bowel control (or both) as a result of an accident or illness?

As for the able-bodied who have dogs, are they dependent on their pets for therapy the way people in wheelchairs, the blind and the deaf are?

Take, for example, wheelchair users Sue Chen and her husband who own two dogs which they regard as their children. They don’t make much money so they have to share what’s on their table when they dine, with their pets.

“Every sen counts,” said the couple. “Besides, it would save us the hassle of travelling to the local authorities’ office and joining the long queues just to get our licences renewed.

“The taxi fare to the local council and back is almost three times the cost of the licence. Having our dogs greet us in the morning and follow us everywhere gives us a sense of acceptance, belonging and security,” they explained.

JK is another example of how animal-assisted therapy can make a difference. He was bedridden recently following an accident and now spends his time looking at the four walls of his room. His only pal is a puppy that was introduced to him recently.

The puppy is doing wonders for JK; he is starting to focus on his new friend instead of dwelling on his misery.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our respective councils could show some care and compassion by appreciating the special role of canines, and be mindful of the hardships the disabled face?

For more information on animal-assisted therapy, visit www.petpositive.blogspot.com.

Note: This article was ranked at No 7 in the Most Viewed section and No 5 at the Most Emailed section of The Star.

Our Therapy Centre - We need your help!

WELCOME TO OUR PETPOSITIVE THERAPY CENTRE (PTC) IN PETALING JAYA!

As you can see, we're pretty bare for now and needing help from YOU - if you could - to fill up our centre with the necessary essentials.

Please call us if you can help. 012 220 3146.

1) PTC from outside. 2) Kitchen. 3) The Therapy Room. 4) Our entrance for wheelchairs and walking aids.

5) Our driveway.

6) Me and my assistant Dave.

7) Where our doggies' poo go.

8) Bath for pets and wheelchairs.

9) Our original toilet design.

All pictures courtesy from Ruwaidy Mat Rasul.

Malaysia's first pet therapy centre in Petaling Jaya!

PETPOSITIVE UPDATE:

Great news everyone! Malaysia's first animal-assisted meeting place called the Petpositive Therapy Centre (PTC) will soon be opened.

Located in Jalan Carey in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, the PTC will offer a unique opportunity for people with disabilities and the elderly encounter pets for positive living.

PTC will also offer peer counselling services for the disabled as well as a weekly opportunity for the elderly to meet and socialize themselves with each other.

Our therapy centre is currently in its final stages of renovation before it can be opened to the public.

Kindly note that visits are through appointments only. Our services are offered free to disabled and elderly persons.

If you would like to help pay for our rentals each month which is RM1,500, please call 012 220 3146. Donations are tax exempted. We appreciate your help.

Please stay tuned for more on this development.

PET+BLOGSPOT

Free Dog Licenses For Disabled Rejected By MBPJ!

Wednesday April 1, 2009

MBPJ to start towing cars parked at illegal spots

By TAN KARR WEI

IT’S no April Fool’s Day joke when you find your car missing today if you have parked it at an illegal spot earlier. It has probably been towed away by enforcement personnel of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

It was announced at the MBPJ full board meeting yesterday that effective today, cars or other vehicles parked illegally in designated towing zones in Petaling Jaya would be towed away.

According to MBPJ enforcement de­­partment head Mohd Fauzi Maarop, Zon Tunda (towing zones) signboards have been put up at various locations in the city for the past one month.

The locations are Section 8, Section 52, Jalan Chantek in Section 5, SS6 in Kelana Jaya, Section 14, SS2, and Damansara Uptown in SS21.

A motorist will have to settle the RM300 compound before he can get back his car from the storage area in SS8/2. He will also be charged a storage fee of RM10 for the first day, followed by RM5 for each subsequent day the car remains there.

“We will put a chalk marking on the road after the cars are towed away and the police will also be informed when an operation takes place,” Fauzi said.

Councillor Chan Chee Kong said the RM150 charged by the towing company for each car towed was high compared with market rates.

According to mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman, the company was hired through an open tender process and only three companies submitted proposals.

Fauzi said if the councillors felt that the charge was too high, they would not award the contract for the time being and the enforcement team would make do with the council’s one tow truck.

Councillor Derek Fernandez, meanwhile, raised the issue of the confidentiality of the MBPJ sub-committee meeting minutes, saying that some of the documents were sent to several PJ assemblymen.

According to an officer from the MBPJ legal department, the minutes are confidential and classified under the Official Secrets Act.

Fernandez said he would lodge a police report regarding the circulated documents.

Another hot topic debated at the meeting concerns the decision against the waiver of the RM10 dog licence fee for the disabled and senior citizens.

Councillor Tang Fuie Koh wanted the matter discussed again but councillor Latheefa Koya insisted that all the views had been considered during the committee meeting.

Councillor Anthony Thanasayan said dogs were important to the disabled and supported the motion for the issue to be brought back to the committee.

“This will involve the re-drafting of our bylaws. The RM10 is an administrative cost and it doesn’t make sense that someone can afford to keep a dog but not afford the RM10 a year,” Latheefa said.

In his wrap-up speech, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San asked the council to be prepared for the PJ redevelopment plans under the stimulus package announced by the Selangor government.

“Most of the planning approvals issued in PJ are for commercial and mixed development. Until and unless we have an efficient transport system, the city can’t cope with the additional traffic. The council is responsible for solving the traffic issues in PJ,” Lau said.