Daniel A Sharani On The Jalan Gasing Project

In line with our ongoing topic on disabled friendly facilities, especially the brand new universal designed pavement in Jalan Gasing, here's a fantastic article from tetraplegic Daniel Ahmad Sharani.He authors the Let's Go Land blog which can be accessed at http://www.letswheel.blogspot.com/

Enjoy

Thursday, July 23, 2009

A local council for all

Excerpts taken from Anthony Thanasayan’s Wheel Power today;

“He was surprised that some able-bodied people had objected to the disabled-friendly project by MBPJ.”

“The blind were rather tickled by the objection of some sighted people who thought that the project should have been done at another place where a popular eye hospital is.”

Check out the complete article Here. Mr Thanasayan was kind enough to even mention my name there.

So anyway, naturally after getting my parents to read the article, we discussed on the issue at length. And we came to conclusions that those who criticised the project are either downright selfish or that none of their family members are disabled, hence, their lack of sense of empathy.

As we have stressed on it for the zillionth times, this said project –a stretch of pavement- is universally designed, which means it can be used by EVERYONE.

Let me spell it out in case these people still didn’t get it. E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E. And that includes you able-bodied morons who thinks the pavement reconstruction is a waste of money.

Or the taxpayer’s money to be more precise.

Well, f--k that. All of us pay our taxes too. Our dads, our brothers, sisters, wives, mistresses...they’re all taxpayers.

If this selfish-bunch thinks they have their say, then please keep in mind that WE too, in the disabled community have our rights to uphold.

And like it or not here’s something to add up to your misery; we are here to stay because the good people at MBPJ have a few more disabled-friendly projects on the pipeline!

So be afraid...wooooo...

Ok seriously, If it is too hard for you to be with us, than be prepared to come up with better reasons to back up your rationale behind such hostility.

But don’t be too naive to think the disabled will throw in our towels and wheel home crying to our moms (and mistresses).

We’ve waited for such goodies to come our way for ages that we must be out of our mind to back off now. I mean, finally at least one PBT is doing it right.

As Anthony aptly puts it, the disabled community is glad that MBPJ is going on a right direction with its forward-thinking plans for all its residents.

And when he said ALL, you better believe it because for one, a politician he is not.

Posted by Kerp (Ph.D) at Thursday, July 23, 2009 8 comments

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

Thumbs Up To Our Pavement From The UK

Here is a fantastic thumbs up support that Petpositive received from Anna Tandy from the UK regarding our demonstration recently on the Universal Design in Jalan Gasing's Pavement:

"Great video I am so proud of you you need to get that message out and you all did so well. Off to downtown now all of you and show your posters. We in UK salute you!"


PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

aNt rubbishes crticisms

Saturday July 25, 2009

Councillor’s appointment draws criticism

AFTER the second group of seven Petaling Jaya City councillors were sworn in on July 22, there was speculation on who would take up the one remaining vacancy.

Disabled councillor Anthony Thanasayan was pleased to find out on Thursday that he had been reappointed to serve the PJ people for another year and has accepted the position.

StarMetro also received a letter from the All Petaling Jaya Residents Association Coalition (Apac) speaking out against the appointment of Thanasayan.

Chairman Liew Wei Beng said that Apac had received several complaints against Thanasayan regarding several issues.

“We are of the opinion that Anthony is not capable because he does not respect council procedures,” said Liew.

Apac had raised issues concerning the installation of a tactile block for the blind on an already completed disabled-friendly pavement costing RM180,000.

“We are concerned why good money was spent on an already completed pavement when it could have been spent elsewhere, and minding the fact the expenditure did not go through due process of financial governance at MBPJ,” Liew said.

Liew also expressed dissatisfaction over an issue involving a centre for mentally-challenged children who are unable to fit into the mainstream educational system.

“He interfered in the application of the centre to convert its property into a JKM (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat) licensed centre even when it was finally approved by the MBPJ Mampan (Sustainable Development) committee,” Liew said.

Liew said many disabled groups had also approached Apac alleging that Thanasayan was misusing the MBPJ van meant for ferrying disabled people around the city.

“He uses the van to carry out his official MBPJ duties, which leaves the van unavailable for other disabled people,” said Liew.

He said every councillor, whether able-bodied or disabled, should be treated equally and should use their own transportation and not the council’s facilities for their own benefit.

“The mobility van is for the disabled community, not the disabled councillor,” Liew said.

Thanasayan rubbished the allegations, saying that he had achieved many ground-breaking firsts for the disabled community in his one year of service.

“My record speaks for itself. I initiated the car park for the disabled in Petaling Jaya, which was the first of its kind. It has a roof and alarm, and it also takes into consideration the caretakers of the disabled,” he said.

He added that he also pushed for the MBPJ to issue car park stickers to the disabled, and this initiative had since been taken over by the state government.

Thanasayan said he was also looking into new guidelines for homes for the elderly and disabled.

“Previously, they had guidelines but the council wasn’t stringent on their checks. Some don’t even have proper disabled-friendly toilets,” he said.

He said the pavement along Jalan Gasing was of universal design and many other local councils did not even have proper barrier-free facilities.

“It is a model for our city and we will do it in other areas, too.

“The MBPJ OKU committee was hardly moving anywhere and I got it going again. I also got people with other disabilities, like the deaf and the blind, to be involved,” he said.

He said he would also continue to realise his vision of having car parks for the disabled all over Petaling Jaya.

“All these are groundbreaking work. I’m working with people who can make a difference, including the councillors. The council staff has also been very helpful.

“With those people making the allegations, there’s jealousy and it’s unfair to me,” said Thanasayan, whose assigned zone was under the constituency of Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee.

Lee said Thanasayan’s contribution towards the community was well-meant but not always been well-thought out.

“I have received several complaints about how he has tried to implement international standards for accessible buildings that were not very practical in the Malaysian context,” Lee said.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

WEEKEND VIEW: UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR ALL PEOPLE

MY most inspiring moments are frequently those spent with people with handicaps like myself.

Last Thursday was certainly one of them.

What a glorious occasion that turned out to be!

Nearly two dozen Malaysians with varying types of disabilities converged in front of a popular Chicken rice restaurant not far from my home in Petaling Jaya.

They did not turn up to cause trouble. Instead, they were there just to make a serious point about themselves.

They wished to let everyone know that even though as handicapped Malaysians they are not seen much in public it did not mean that they were not around.

“I want our country – and the world to know – that I am a Malaysian citizen too even though I seldom come out,” said a young woman in a wheelchair to the scores of newspaper reporters who came to cover the mini historic event.

“It’s not my fault that I have to be locked up at home all the time,” she added with a quiver in her voice as a press photographer aimed his camera close to her face.

“The total disregard of my local council to provide disabled-friendly facilities keeps me a constant prisoner in my house,” lamented the twentysomething resident outside of PJ.

She was making a comparison with the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) current universal design pavement project along Jalan Gasing that allows access for all persons to the situation in her local surrounding.

“How I wish that my local council had such foresight like the MBPJ to start including such features so that people like us and the elderly can also come out of our homes and do normal things like others.”

Popular blogger Ahmad Daniel Sharani, who is paralysed from his neck down also turned up for the event with his friend, another young man in a wheelchair.

The next day, he commented in his blog that he was surprised that some able-bodied people had objected to the disabled-friendly project by MBPJ.

“(The) stretch of pavement (is being) made . . . functional for everyone, . . . (including) . . . the able-bodied.

“Tell me if I’m missing out something here but when this project works in every single resident’s favour, I fail to see why the need for some quarters to bark about unnecessarily.

“Like it or not, this is what equal rights is all about. When all this while most pavements shut wheelchair-users from accessing on it, the new universally-designed footpath caters to both sets of users.”

The universal design also includes tactile flooring for the blind for independent travel.

The blind were rather tickled by the objection of some sighted people who thought that the project should have been done at another place where a popular eye hospital is.

“It is a myth to think that the blind can only be found in certain areas,” pointed out a blind representative from the Malaysian Association for the Blind in Kuala Lumpur.

“The blind, in fact, are everywhere. Many of us have lost our sight completely so there is no real need to visit an eye hospital,” he explained.

“It is wrong to think that the blind are a sickly lot and only need to go to hospitals. We go to normal places too like the bank, shopping centres, parks and places of worship.”

The Jalan Gasing project incidentally covers a church and a temple, a popular park, a couple of therapy centres and regular shops including eating outlets.

Two mothers brought their learning disabled children – both boys – to the outdoor press conference. One of them was so profoundly disabled that he had to be cared for by two caregivers.

I was amazed that he was able to stay for the full two hours of the event. He looked like he was having a great time.

Another boy, about ten years of age came with his mother who was also his single caregiver.

Both parents who reminded the journalists that they were both tax payers too, spoke of the horrors of how it was for them to take their disabled children anywhere.

The pavements are so unfriendly and hostile that they are often forced to wheel their kids on the side of the road against oncoming traffic instead of on a pavement that is safe for them and their children.

As the event drew to a close, with all the voices heard, the disabled community who turned up at least went away with some hope that morning.

They were glad to know that at least one council in Selangor, that is the MBPJ, was going about in the right direction in their forward thinking plans not for some but for all of its residents.

The End

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

Has Anthony SB Thanasayan Been Dropped Off The List? - StarMetro report

Thursday July 23, 2009

Nine more councillors for MBPJ sworn in

By FAZLEENA AZIZ

NINE more councillors were sworn in for the 2009/10 term at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) on July 22.

The only new face in the line-up was R. Selvarajan, 51, from Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya.

He said that he is very much a local guy and works in the hotel industry.

“There are many things that the state government is giving the people and my task is to make it known. I am not sure what my portfolio will be but I will do what is necessary,” he said.

All smiles: Roslan (centre) with Selvarajan (left) and Yeoh after the swearing in ceremony.

He also said that his hotel service background would be helpful in serving the community.

Councillors reappointed for the second term are Mohd Halil Harun, Ahmad Yusof Ludin, Halimey Abu Bakar, Muzammil Hafiz, V.Panneerselvam and Richard Yeoh.

Yeoh, who was supposed to move to the Shah Alam City Council, said that it was the state government’s decision to retain him at MPBJ.

“There were uncertainties before the final decision was made but I am happy to continue my work here since I live in PJ,” he said.

During the ceremony, councillors Tiew Way Keng and Dr Melasutra Md Ali were also sworn in.

Tiew and Dr Melastura were unable to attend the previous ceremony on July 10 due to work commitments.

According to Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman, they are still waiting for one more vacancy to be filled by the state government.

He said that this would be filled by someone from the People With Disability (PWD) group.

StarMetro spoke to former Petaling Jaya city councillor Anthony Thanasayan, who said he was unsure if he had been dropped from the line-up.

He said that the decision would only be known at the end of the month.

“There is still an opening for the PWD. I am disappointed that I am not there yet because there is a lot of work to be done.

“Even if I am dropped, I will continue to work for the community,” he said.

During the previous ceremony, only 15 councillors were sworn in for the 2009/10 term. They are Roslan, Syed Abd Malik Syed A.Hamid Al Jafree, Ghazali Shaari, Latheefa Koya, Mak Khuin Weng, Mahharul Ismail, Michael Soon Kwai Choy, Tang Fuie Koh, Kamarudin Suhaimi, Ramakrishnan Suppiah, Derek John Fernandez, Chan Chee Kong, Cynthia Gabriel, Tiong Boon Keong and Terrence Tan Teck Seng.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

Will The New Councillor Of MBPJ Be Anthony SB Thanasayan? - nst report

Selangor govt yet to name councillor for disabled 2009/07/23 Sheila Sri Priya and Dawn Chan

Selayang Municipal Council president Datuk Zainal Abidin Azim (centre) with newly sworn-in councillors (from left) Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji, Sian Keng Eng, A. Murugeshu and Lee Khai Loon.

PETALING JAYA: The only only councillor of Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ)left to be sworn in is a representative for the disabled. is a disabled. But who that individual is remains a question mark.

T. Anthony, the first and only disabled councillor in the MBPJ, is not likely to be serving another term as he has not received any letter from the state government.

The name of the last councillor to be sworn in, will be revealed soon, said mayor Datuk Roslan Sakiman.

“I am not too sure who it will be and when the person will be appointed.
The state government has not released the name of the person.

“And yes, we do need a representative for the disabled in the council,” he said yesterday to reporters after the swearing in ceremony of seven councillors at MBPJ.

Selvarajan Rathinam, a 51-year-old who works in the hotel service industry
and representing the Parti Keadilan Rakyat was the new face among the seven.
He is among the three new councillors of the MBPJ council.
The two, who were earlier sworn in on July 10, included Tiong Boon Keong, 40, an professional engineer and Terence Tan, 30, who works in the shipping and logistics job field.

Meanwhile, three of the four councillors who took the oath at the Selayang Municipal Council yesterday are new faces.

The trio are 31-year-old Lee Khai Loon, 31, who is currently the secretary to the Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, 50-year-old Sian Keng Eng, 50, who is a senior marketing consultant and 45-year-old Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puri, 45, a electrical contractor.

Lee said he will work towards helping to create a safe, clean and comfortable neighbourhood in Selayang.” he said.

Both Sian and Tengku Zulpuri said they want to address the grassroot problems faced by Selayang residents.

A. Murugeshu, the fourth councillor,sworn in yesterday, said he would like to enhance and upgrade a football field in Bandar Baru Selayang for the residents to enjoy.

The four councillors were sworn in at the council president’s office of Datuk Zainal Abidin Azim.

There are three more Selayang Municipal councillors left to be named to complete the lineup of 24.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

The Day We Got Our Free Road Taxes (Old report on Utusan Online)

Government confident of more than 4.5 pct GDP growth this year

DR Mahathir Mohamad (2nd L) meets Anthony Thanasayan (2nd R) and Francis Siva (R) from Independent Living and Training Centre after chairing the 3rd session of the 2004 Budget dialogue session in Putrajaya, June 9. - Utusanpix.

PUTRAJAYA June 9 - The government is confident that the country's economic growth can exceed 4.5 percent this year if all groups concerned are determined in implementing the measures contained in the economic stimulus package announced on May 21, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Monday.

The package should be implemented with determination so that its objectives could be achieved, he told reporters after chairing the 3rd session of the 2004 Budget dialogue session here.

The government had forecast a growth of 4.5 percent for this year but there had been reservations that this could be achieved because of the economic fallout resulting from the war in Iraq and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). In 2002, the Malaysian economy grew by 4.2 percent.

Dr Mahathir said the Malaysian economy had responded well to the government's stimulus package so far if one took into the consideration the movement of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange's Composite Index.

"The response is very good. If you take the share market index as an indicator, it seems that the people have responded very well," he added.

"For the first time, it (the KLCI) has decoupled from the New York Stock Exchange. Normally, we go up and down according to the Dow Jones (index) but now while the Dow Jones is down, we are still up. So it's a good thing," he added.

When Dr Mahathir, who is also the finance minister, announced the stimulus package on May 21, the KLCI went up by 3.41 points to 640.37 points.

The KLCI surged to 682.43 points last Thursday and moved to its year's high on Monday when it settled at 685.25 points at Monday's midday close.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

MAKING JALAN GASING DISABLED-FRIENDLY - malay mail

Making Jalan Gasing disabled-friendly

Submitted by pekwan on Friday, July 17th, 2009

• disabled-friendly walkway along Jalan Gasing.
• Local

A ramp provided for mobility brings them cheer

Pauline Almeida

Friday, July 17th, 2009 07:23:00

FREEDOM: The disabled are grateful that shops and bus stops are now more accessible to them in PJ

MALAYSIANS Against Discrimination of the Disabled (MADD) have praised the Petaling Jaya City Council for
constructing a disabled-friendly walkway along Jalan Gasing.

"We are very grateful that the council will provide us with this accessibility. It was like the fight from day one that has finally paid off. The 450-metre pavement is being built along the road," said Stanislaus Anthony, the Rukun Tetangga Seksyen 3 committee member in charge of security.

"Even though this walkway is partially completed, we know it's going to make our lives a bit easier," said Anthony Siva Balan Thanasayan, the vice-president of Support Group Society for the Blind of Malaysia, a MADD member.

Asked how the walkway would affect their lives, sports executive of the Malaysian Association for the Blind Muhammad Fairuz Abdullah said: "Nobody wants to be disabled, so by building the walkway with a universal design, we can move around just like able bodied people.

"Sometimes it's hard getting out of the house simply because there is no one to take us to the place we want to go. But that's going to change," he added.

According to council engineering director Ismail Shafie the project started in September last year and was to be completed in February.

However, due to some unforeseen technical problems construction will only be completed later this month.

"The initial plan was to upgrade and maintain the previous walkway and to provide a walkway for the public. But at the request of disabled people, we believed that it would be better if we installed tactile guiding blocks. The blocks are a safety guide for the disabled, mainly the blind, as it indicates how far they are from the curb.

"The tactile guiding blocks are installed in the middle of the walkway," he said. In 2007, the council started
building universal design pavements in Section 52.

"The pavements link the council headquarters to Menara MBPJ. And for any development approved after 2007, developers are urged to install ramps, railings and curbs to make it easier for the disabled to move around
without endangering them," he added.

The project is expected to cost RM2 million.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

UNIVERSAL DESIGN PAVEMENT FOR EVERYONE - streets, nst

Universal design pavement is for everyone's benefit 2009/07/17 Sheila Sri Priya

T. Anthony says the disabled don't need sympathy but help

PETALING JAYA:A group of disabled people has hit back at the critics of the universal design pavement being built in Jalan Gasing.

Calling the RM180,000 pavement a move in the right direction, they described it as a long-overdue necessity.

“The disabled don’t need sympathy, they need help. In the past, we had to fight for job opportunities and the right to use public transport,” said former Petaling Jaya councillor, T. Anthony, who led the group of over 20 disabled people to view the pavement and speak up on the importance of having such facilities.

“But the key problem remains — access for the disabled. The disabled don’t just go to the hospitals, they have lives to live.

“Every year, children are born with disabilities and people do meet with accidents and become disabled, so it is good to start thinking universally,” said Anthony.

The group included two former councillors who are disabled, and parents of disabled children, who all agreed that there should be more public amenities built based on the universal design concept that is suitable for everyone.

They are members of Malaysia Against the Discrimination of the Disabled, which is a coalition made up of Independent Living and Training Centre, Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Pet Positive) and Perwira K9 Malaysia.

Anthony and other the group members urged the public to support Petaling Jaya City Council’s effort to build the universal design pavement, believed to be the first of its kind in Malaysia.

It was recently reported that some quarters were not happy with the amount spent on the 500 metre-long pavement.

“Universal design means it is for everyone and not just the disabled’s use. So I don’t understand what the fuss is all about,” said Anthony, who is also the president of Pet Positive.

Firdaus Mohd Nazar, who became a paraplegic after a road accident three years ago, agreed.

“I am 24 years old and work as a clerk. I would love for the country to be equipped with facilities for the disabled,” said Firdaus.
Ahmad Daniel Mohd Sharani, 33, a writer who lives in Ara Damansara, added.

“We have to start somewhere and Petaling Jaya is leading by example.Instead of criticising and mocking a noble project, why can’t public be more supportive?”

Former Selayang councillor, Gurdip Kaur said she had set up a committee for the disabled in the Selayang Municipal Council. She added that more needed to be done for the disabled.

Mohd Ramli Abdullah, 49, from a Felda settlement in Pahang, said the rights of the disabled had long been neglected.

“People are generous with their sympathy but fail to provide us with basic facilities. They say we are asking for too much. I think The public should stop being cruel to us.”

Most of us are forced to own a car because there’s no way for us to walk as the pavements are not disabled-friendly,” he said.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

DISABLED SUPPORT JALAN GASING PAVEMENT - starmetro

Friday July 17, 2009

Disabled community shows support for new pavement

By FAZLEENA AZIZ

ABOUT 20 disabled people (PWDs) gathered to show their support for the new pavement along Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya.

The pavement along the 500m stretch of road was a pilot project for barrier-free access in PJ.

Easier for the disabled: Thanasayan leading the way in support of the new pavement.

It was upgraded at a cost of RM180,000, including railings and covering up of the drains.

Former Petaling Jaya city councillor Anthony Thanasayan said people should stop being in denial over the needs of the disabled.

He said people should not politicise the issue but support them.

“The earlier pavement was a waste because even the non-disabled were not able to use it.

“We also want to show them that we exist and have rights as a tax-paying citizens,” he said.

He also said all the councils in Selangor should emulate MBPJ’s facilities instead of making a mess like in Kuala Lumpur.

The All-Petaling Jaya Residents Associations Coalition (APAC) had expressed their disapproval over the council’s bad planning in the construction of the pavement.

They had said that the PJ New Town was already a model for barrier-free facilities and questioned the need for another model for road pavements along Jalan Gasing.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

MADD FOR DISABILITY ACCESS - malaysiakini

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

UTHAYAKUMAR MUST ACTIVELY INCLUDE THE DISABLED IN HIS NEW PARTY

PETPOSITIVE SAYS:

Congratulations are in order for Uthayakumar's new Human Rights Party (HRP) that was launched today.

According to The Star, the multinational HRP aspires to "champion the rights of marginalised sectors of all communities."

That being so, then it MUST include the rights of people with disabilities who have been recognised as the world's largest minority group.

Despite living in a caring society concept in Malaysia, the handicapped community continues to be left out in much and many of the nation's development plans - from education to employment and disabled rights issues.

Uthayakumar, to our knowledge has championed the rights of disabled persons in the past. For this, we applaud him.

However, for the HRP to effectively be the voice of disabled Malaysians, they must include a disabled caucus or activist as part of their struggle.

Long live the HRP!

PET+BLOGSPOT

Published: Sunday Star, July 19, 2009 MYT 1:49:00 PM

Hindraf's Uthayakumar launches new political party

By WANI MUTHIAH

KLANG: Hindraf’s P. Uthayakumar launched a new multiracial party called Human Rights Party (HRP) with an objective to champion the rights of marginalised sectors of all communities.

After the launch here on Sunday, he announced that he was giving up practicing law and would fully concentrate on being a political activist and to lay the groundwork for the next general election.

He added that Hindraf will continue to be apolitical and will be led by his younger brother Waythamoorthy who is still in self exile in London.

Uthayakumar also identified 15 parlimentary and 38 state assembly seats that the party would contest in the elections.

He said he would hold the post of protem secretary-general of HRP but did not announce any other people or posts.

Uthayakumar, a former detainee under the Internal Security Act, also launched his book titled Malaysian Indian Political Empowerment Strategy: The Way Forward that was conceptualised and written during his 514 days detention in Kamunting.

About 2,000 people attended the launching ceremony at the Hokkien Hall here.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

CAPTAIN YUSOF AHMAD: A MAN WHO CARED ABOUT HOW DISABLED MALAYSIANS WERE TREATED

PETPOSITIVE regrets to announce the passing away of The Ancient Mariner Captain Yusof Ahmad.

According to his blog ( http://cyusof.blogspot.com/ ) the gentleman was a former pilot superintendent of the Klang Port Authority and pioneeer general manager of West Port. He was freelancing as a Port and Marine Consultant and Maritime Arbitrator when he died in his home last night during his sleep. I never personally met Capt Yusof but here is his blog on a Petpositive story he wrote about comments by Capt Karim Stuart Russell two years ago:

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Walking the Talk

(Source: Petpositive)

Fellow mariner Capt. Abdul Karim Stuart Russell, a regular commenter in my blog, is a man who likes to walk the talk. Although retired, he is still active as adviser to the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive) and Secretary for the Support Group Society for the Blind of Malaysia or Supporteam.

In recent letters to Malaysiakini and the NST, Capt. Karim wrote: "The International Day of Disabled Persons on Dec 3 was yet another wonderful opportunity to promote understanding and increase public awareness of disability issues, and to promulgate the importance of integration and the well-being of people with disabilities." However, he expressed disappointment that little is still being done to help them access facilities, transport, etc.

"Half-hearted action, lip service, discrimination and marginalisation will not help disabled persons in Malaysia live an independent, integrated, dignified, equitable, productive, and happy lives during which they can raise a family and contribute to the well-being of their family and the nation. Effective, well-thought out and wide-ranging legislation and strict enforcement outlawing the discrimination of persons with disabilities will be a concrete step forward," he added. "Malaysia," Capt. Karim asserts,"needs a comprehensive Disability Discrimination Act."

Way to go, Stu.

Logged by The Ancient Mariner at 05:33

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

WEEKEND VIEW: PETPOSITIVE Visits Kuala Kubu Baru Home

MANY Malaysians are still reeling in shock and disbelief over The Sunday Star’s expose last week.

For those who missed it, the report was about the condition of care for a number of profoundly disabled residents in a government-run home for the disabled in Kuala Kubu Baru (KKB) in Selangor.

Journalists who made a surprise visit to the live-in centre called, “Taman Sinar Harapan”, made a most startling discovery.

They found the place filled with the stench of urine and faeces. More than a dozen residents were stark naked and lying miserably on the wet floor.

Some others, they continued, were chained on the bed and locked behind bars to prevent them from hurting other residents.

This was a horror story I had only heard of in the past.

I somehow refused to completely believe them. And I certainly never expected such a thing to occur in our society in this day and age.

Nonetheless, outraged by the news, all I could think of was to take out my frustration on Datuk Seri Sharizat Abdul Jalil through the Short Messaging Service.

I was surprised. Within minutes came a reply from the Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Ministry acknowledging my SMS and apologising that she could not attend to my concern immediately.

Then came another one soon after.

This time it was a special invitation from her. The Minister asked if I would like to join her on her official visit to the controversial home within 48 hours.

I was delighted by Sharizat’s response.

To me, it was a clear sign that the Minister was not only deeply concerned over the situation but that she also wanted to be open about it – hence her personal invite to me as a columnist who has always made it my business to speak out without fear or favour about matters affecting Malaysians with disabilities.

True to her gesture, there was no prior “warning” or “debriefing” before my arrival to KKB.

The only intervention on the Government’s side was to arrange for my transport to and from the centre and appointing a senior welfare officer as my escort.

I was immediately awestruck with the outside surroundings of the home.

The ambience with all the greenery and wide open space was a perfect environment for people with learning disabilities to enjoy.

The inside was pretty much well set up as well. The marble floor where the-harder-to-care-for residents lived was also virtually spotless. Only the washing area where residents were cleaned up was wet.

Datuk Seri Sharizat made sure to go into every ward in the home to carry out her investigation.

At one point I noticed one male official stopping the Minister from entering a section where the profoundly disabled male residents were housed.

He was concerned because this was the area where some of the residents would often disrobe themselves – even though the staff tried to help them keep their clothes on.

But Sharizat refused to be discouraged. She (and I) just went in so that we could see for ourselves what the real situation was.

At that point, the Minister appealed to the press to stop taking pictures in respect of the profoundly disabled residents’ privacy.

As far as I could see, the need to don clothes for some of the residents made no sense to them, and even appeared uncomfortable.

The most moving scenes came during the Minister’s personal encounters with several of the residents. Many of them quickly reciprocated with smiles and even tears when Sharizat reached out to touch or hug them.

One disabled lad with all smiles refused to let the Minister go!

One elderly bedridden man whose entire body was twisted obviously because of lack of physiotherapy and exercise beamed from ear to ear when the Minister reached out to greet him.

I started to immediately think of the many able-bodied public outside the centre who refuse to touch a handicapped person for fear that his or her disability would be transmitted on to them.

It was obvious that more than anything else, what most, if not all the residents really lacked was a simple word called “love”.

What a big difference it would make if only familiar faces like their family members who had abandoned them there cared to drop by for a visit.

Volunteers – individuals or in groups would also make a difference if they could spare some time to spend even a few minutes with the residents.

Such opportunities would contribute tremendously for each residents’ psyche.

Because after all when you think of it, each and every KKB resident is no different on the inside than you and I. And just like us, they have the same feelings and wants as every human being – even though they have problems in communicating their needs.

A wealth of positivity came out of the special visit to the KKB Centre.

The Minister, after speaking thoroughly to everyone involved, from the staff, caregivers, medical experts and others will personally chair a special committee made up of experts in various fields including NGO groups to improve the quality of life of residents of all such homes in the country.

That first meeting is scheduled to take place before the start of Ramadan.

The End

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 25,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my