PETPOSITIVE SAYS!
We picked the story below from Dr Jacob George's Konsumer Currents - Malaysia's Conscience blog from Malaysiakini's Top In Blogs.
It is about firefly airlines in Malaysia charging RM12 for the use of wheelchairs.
We share the revolt expressed by Dr George over the practice.
Wheelchairs are an inalienable right to people with disabilities. Unlike the non disabled, they have no choice but to use them.
It is shocking that in this day and age, the management of firefly cannot see the utter insensitivity and stupidity of their policy.
Petpositive calls on the scrapping of wheelchair charge at once.
PET+BLOGSPOT
IT SUCKS - FIRE FLY CHARGING RM12 FOR WHEEL CHAIR USAGE?
August 16, 2010 on 5:00 pm | In General |
IT SUCKS - FIRE FLY CHARGING RM12 FOR WHEEL CHAIR USAGE?
Disgusting too mild a word!
Are you aware that several years ago - we were taxing the imported equipments brought in for people with special needs!
Then I went berserk thanks to pointers by an accountant friend from the United States of America who shared her disgust with me in Penang!
Memorandums followed and to my delight - an embarrassed Ministry of Finance then addressed that issue!
This afternoon I bring to the attention of the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development that this kind of corporate behaviour is disgusting!
Is there no end to the greed for profiteering?
Is there no end to the apathy and gross insensitiveness shown?
I hope heads roll!
In the mean time – Shame on you – Fire Fly!
Read the Letter enclosed:
‘Dear Dr Jacob George,
I went for a knee surgery on 12 August and currently I am on crutches. This is my first time to experience the handicap world.
I booked 2-way flight from Subang – JB - Subang via Fire Fly Airline with the booking reference no: SZDSBG. Since it is a real challenge for me to walk with crutches from the boarding gate to the plane, I requested for a wheel chair.
I was very surprised that the Airline (Fire Fly) was charging a fee for wheel chair services. It is not about paying the minimal fee of RM12 per usage but the principle behind it.
I strongly feel that it is not appropriate to charge the handicap!
This is more so for those companies in the service industry!
Before my surgery, I did not think much about the handicap. It is fortunate that I went through this experience and know how it feels.
It is a very basic issue and I hope you can look into this matter to make a difference for those handicaps in Malaysia and others visiting from abroad using our service industry!
Thanks
Regards,
DC
(name & contact withheld)’
PET+BLOGSPOT is an ACTIVE ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). We strive to keep our reports and stories CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then is now 55,000 and counting. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Sometimes even twice and three times a day. 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 You can also find us in Facebook as PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Thank you for your support.
7 comments:
As long as i can recall, Firefly only charge passenger RM12 when the passenger failed to provide the OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya) card, else the charges is waived...
Dear Calvin,
Thank you for your view.
Firefly should give all disabled persons the free wheelchairs for use, whether they possess an OKU card or not.
An able-bodied person who is temporarily disabled cannot have an OKU card.
This is one example. Also, a pregnant lady or someone who is having difficulty in walking may also need it.
Regards
As far as I know all budget airlines charge for usage wheelchairs. They do not give anything FREE
Dear anonymous, if it is true that all budget airlines charge for wheelchairs, then it is a practice that must be ceased at once.
Wheelchairs and other aids for the disabled are part of their inalienable right.
It is inhuman to charge the handicapped for them.
I called Firefly last week to enquire about a wheelchair for my grandmother (aged 85) who will be flying alone SZB-SIN this Thursday.
The wheelchair charge (ONE-WAY ONLY) is not RM12 but an exorbitant RM87!!!! The lady said this is for international flights.
I feel this is a rip-off! Is there no one who can do anything about this broad daylight robbery?
oh and I also asked "what if I have my own wheelchair?" and the reply was that the wheelchair has to be checked-in. That means the poor disabled person will still have to pay RM87 to use Firefly's wheelchair?!?!!!!!
Dear BuffaFly,
Thanks for sharing. It is truly unconscionable that Firefly is making money out of the handicapped instead of practising some community social responsibility.
Bravo for speaking up. Write a complaint to the Minister of Transport as well as Dato Sri Sharizat.
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