Upset over disabled allowance - Malay Mail

Upset over allowance for the disabled

September 02, 2008 Categories: News

Don't insult the less-fortunate with paltry allowances, the federal government was told yesterday.

Anthony Thanasayan, Petaling Jaya City Council’s first disabled councillor, found the 2009 budget unfriendly to persons of his ilk. He said the RM150 per month allowance for the disabled showed the government’s apathy towards to the plight of the community.

“If a person is bedridden, he or she is likely to have bedsores. The medication costs about RM500- RM1,000 a month. How are they going to survive on RM150?” he asked.

He said the community was also disappointed with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen because she obviously did not push for better allowances for them. A group of disabled persons met the minister three months ago and asked for a minimum allowance of RM500.

“The allocation only shows that the government does not take us seriously,” he added.

When asked his view on the Persons of Disability Act that came into force last month, Thanasayan said that it wouldn’t be of much help to the disabled if the spirit of the Act was not enforced.

The Persons of Disability Act states the National Council for Persons with Disabilities may require relevant ministries, government agencies, bodies or organisations to submit reports to the council on steps, measures and actions required to be undertaken in complying with provisions of the Act.

The Act is non-punitive and, therefore, powerless to help the disabled.

“In reality, the Act is still holding on to the charity concept which relies on the kindness of society. Why do the laws penalise those who discriminate against women and not us?” he asked.

He believed Malaysians still discriminated against the disabled. As councillor in charge of the disabled, he came across a developer of a condominium who wanted to build a ramp for an elderly disabled man living there. However, the residents’ association of the condominium did not want the ramp built as they believed that it would spoil the ambiance of the place.

“If there was strict enforcement of the Persons of Disability Act, we could have taken legal action against the association. But now there is nothing we can do,” he said.

Disabled Disappointed Over Budget - The Star

Saturday August 30, 2008

Pensioners, the disabled want more benefits

THE National Council of Senior Citizens Organisation Malaysia (Nacscom) president Datuk Lum Kin Tuck said that while the proposal to have a minimum RM720 monthly pension was good, it was still not enough to cope with the rising cost of living.

“While it will help pensioners who have been getting low pensions all along, I feel it should be slightly higher,” he said.

“I think people would be able to cope with the cost of living better if they had a minimum pension of RM900.”

Malaysian Confederation of the Disabled president Mah Hassan said he was happy with the Budget on three points: the RM150 allowance for disabled students, RM200 monthly incentive payment for teaching assistants in special education schools and a higher allowance for caregivers in Rumah Tunas Harapan.

“I must praise the Government for taking all these into consideration,” he said.

“However, on behalf of the disabled community, I must say I am disappointed with the RM150 allowance for the non-working disabled.”

Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Siva also shared his sentiments.

“At a pre-Budget consultation, we had asked for a RM500 allowance across the board for the disabled.

“What can you do with RM150? I'm very, very sad. There are many severely-disabled people who have no opportunity to find work. How are they going to live on a mere RM150?” he said.

2009 Budget An Insult To The Disabled says Petpositive & ILTC - NST, yesterday

Budget 2009: RM150 allowance for the disabled 'not enough'

The disabled are restricted by the lack of disabled-friendly infrastructure in the country.

KUALA LUMPUR: The disabled have described Budget 2009 as "insulting" and "terrible".

They said the RM150 monthly allowance for those unable to work is a pittance.

Malaysian Animal-Assisted The-rapy for the Disabled and Elderly president Anthony Thanasayan said they had expected at least RM500 for all disabled people, irrespective of whether they were working.

"The amount is so little, you might as well not give it. Those bedridden and in wheelchairs require a lot of money for medical fees.

"A set of five bandages for pressure sores costs RM80 and it only lasts three days. How far will RM150 go?" Anthony asked.
Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Siva said it was disheartening that the budget failed to address mobility issues.

He stressed that disabled people were not lazy and wanted to be independent but they were restricted by the lack of disabled-friendly infrastructure in the country.

"How will we earn a decent living and be independent if a chunk of our salary goes towards transport?"

Anthony and Francis, however, agreed that the government's multi-pronged approach to combat poverty was a good start.

Associate Professor Dr Sulochana Nair, who is also director for the Centre of Poverty and Development Studies, Universiti Malaya, said there must be a "means-tested methodology" of reaching out to the target groups.

"We must be able to trace the aid to ensure that it reaches the right people."

For Centre for Orang Asli Concerns coordinator Colin Nicholas, the issue is "leakage" during the disbursement process.

He said the allocated sum had in the past gone into improving infrastructure and administration and not enhancing the quality of life.

The government has allocated RM160 million in assistance to Orang Asli under Budget 2009.

For pensioner Wong King Voon, 61, the RM70 increase in his pension to RM720 is too small.

"What can you do with an extra RM70? And despite the exemption for electricity bills payments of RM20 or less, I would still have to pay my electricity bill of about RM100 a month."

Budget 2009 & The Disabled - Malaysiakini

Several quarters expressed their disapproval and grouses over the Budget 2009 unveiled by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

MCPX

Anthony Thanasayan, disabled activist:

It is a total insult for the government to only come up with RM150 monthly allowance for someone bedridden. These people probably would need more medication. It shows that the government has no clue what the caretakers or families go through.

In the United States, there are several states where the government sponsors personal attendants for disabled people who are bedridden. But here, its going to be just RM150 a month. It just shows that the government does not consult the disabled when drawing up policies.

As for offering low-cost houses to the disabled, it is good that the government is looking into this. However, I’m worried if the government can devise a system that can work. They cannot expect the disabled, many who are house-bound, to go and see them and ask for a house. The onus is on the government departments to search for people who qualify for this service.

Dr Jacob George, consumer activist:

As expected, the government has shown cognisance of a comprehensive transport system that is lacking as based by consumer complaints. But financial allocations are just one aspect and the wider public is going to be wondering how it is going to be delivered. It was not clearly mentioned.

Consumers today want the nitty-gritty - who is going to do it, monitoring the implementation and audit the project - rather than just announcements.

The bonus for civil servants is a double-edged sword as past trends have shown that private companies will use the opportunity to raise prices of goods. While two million civil servants get a raise, everyone else will end up as victims. Price control mechanisms must be in place so people won’t take advantage of the situation.

S Samy Vellu, MIC president:

It is truly a budget for the poor. Never has there been so much goodies for the less fortunate. The prime minister has brought back the feel good factor and I hope this is the beginning of yet another exciting time for all of us.

The tax incentives and rebates as well as the abolishment on certain sectors will benefit all races. I applaud the government’s political will to implement all these measures. I’m also glad the government kept its promise to redevelop Tamil schools.

Patrick Sindhu, Consumer Association Sabah and Labuan president:

While Sabah has been given more allocations for infrastructural development - we have to ensure there is a monitoring mechanism to avoid leakages which have plagued most projects in the past. If you look at (the last) Auditor-General’s report, there were a lot of questions raised in regards to projects involving federal allocations.

The plan to give free flights to civil servants flying back to Sabah and Sarawak is not new. It has been done before and unscrupulous people have abused it by selling it to others for a quick profit.

Raising the eligibility criteria for families to qualify for welfare assistance is welcome. It’ll complement what the state is already doing. However relevant departments have to guarantee that the target groups - many of which are in the far flung rural areas - get to know that they are eligible.

Dr Koh Tsu Khoon, Gerakan president:

The prime minister devoted a long section to public transportation, reflecting the government’s commitment. I welcome the setting up of the Public Transportation Commission although somewhat belated. In fact, this was what Gerakan has been advocating for the past 10 years.

However, what is needed is a state or city-level local public transportation authority to integrate all the functions of the various departments and agencies. Only then can we effectively implement a comprehensive and integrated public transportation system in each city.

As a Penangite, while welcoming the increase of 200 buses for RapidPenang, I still advocate and call for the implementation of a properly planned monorail system as the backbone of the public transportation network, especially for George Town and its densely populated vicinity.