NGO Councillor Quota Overplayed

aNt's aNgle: Here is a second interview done by KomunitiKini recently. I wish to clarify that I am NOT against NGO participation in local councils. They are in fact vital. Kudos to Pakatan for including them for the first time in history. 

However, "NGOs" are not a magic word in itself. We all know that there are dead and very much alive NGOs that work for the people that they were set up for. So it's crucial that NGOs selected should be the right ones with the people's interest at heart just as the criteria should be for persons representing political parties.

Just like political parties, NGOs must also be able to see "the big picture" and work for the greater good rather than against each other.  

The part about the "man to the dog" should really read "van (as in vehicle) to the dog" referring to dogcatchers who drag canines to the vehicles after roping them instead of bringing the vans to the animals.

Malaysiakini story by Leven Woon on Thursday, June 24.

MBPJ councillor Anthony Thanasayan is himself a vocal policymaker championing the disabled and pets rights, but the NGO-turned-councillor does not think much of the NGO councillor quota. It’s an unexpected view for him to take when he was elected under the quota, and reselection is around the corner.

“I think the issue has been overplayed. I don’t believe by (electing) NGO councillors, the council could be (better),” he spoke to Komunitikini in an exclusive interview.

“Let’s face the truth, political parties need (these positions) to survive. It’d be suicidal if Pakatan Rakyat (were kept from) becoming councillors,”

The second-term NGO councillor said the authority should not elect NGO activists who have no intentions to become policymakers.

“The NGO quota is indeed a good move. But it is flawed if (the authorities) thinks by just playing with the number game it could be successful.

“They should instead screen every NGO candidate, bring in those who are in-touch with the people and effective.

“If not, (NGO councillors) are just taking previous slots that political parties could use.”

Since the takeover of Pakatan Rakyat, the Selangor state government has revamped the councillor appointment guideline which requires annual re-selection, a 30 percent quota for NGOs and professionals and transparent assessments.

However, there is a increasing demand to reinstate local council elections, last held in 1965.

When quizzed about this, Anthony said he does not think this is a right time to do so.
“I don’t think we are ready for it,” he said.

Literally going to the dogs
Anthony was appointed as MBPJ councillor in August 2008. He has since chaired the disabled technical committee to accelerate PJ’s goal towards becoming a disabled-friendly city.

The wheelchair-bound councillor was pleased to see PJ now on track, installing disabled-friendly pavements, railings and blind blocks at every sidewalk in PJ, which adhere to set standards.

Under his committee’s request, the council has also bought two ramp vans to serve the need of those with least mobility.

As the president of NGO Petspositive, Anthony never fails to improve the condition of the human’s best friend too.

“One thing is about the contrast between dogcatchers and the public. For the council, stray dogs are pests that should be removed from the street.

“But from our point of view, dogcatchers should be more humane in treating the dogs. They should bring the man to the dog instead of approaching them with force.”

He also realised individuals with different incomes react differently towards their pets.

“When we educate the public on the proper ways to keep their pets, poorer people tend to be more receptive. They might not be well-educated but they are willing to learn.

“Whereas the rich fellows are so stoneheaded in justifying whatever they do, they think they own pets so they have the right to do anything.”

Disabled-friendly pavement among the pillar projects of Anthony.

Changing public perception an uphill task
After two years as a policymaker, Anthony said the uphill task he faced now is to change public prejudice towards the disabled community.

“People tend to think disabled peoples are creatures. They will avoid us in lifts or tell their children we became like this because we did not behave.

“We are normal human beings, we have feelings too.

“That’s why they think all things are created for perfect persons like them. When we are demanding our rights, they label us as frustrated.

“But how do you define disabled? Anyone could easily became handicapped after an accident or disease, and the elderly definitely have some disabiled as well.”

He said by 2035, 10 percent of Malaysia’s population will be elderly. Hence investing in disabled-friendly facilities now would be a right move.

But he admitted that things cannot be changed overnight.

“People are just not ready yet.

“That’s why being a NGO councillor, I learned to know when to fight and when to just turn away.”


PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our contents are ACCURATE, RELIABLE and THE LATEST. 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 40,000 hits and counting. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. 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: What Freedom For The Disabled Is All About

OF all the Merdeka Day celebrations in my lifetime since 1960, this year’s one was, without an ounce of doubt, the most significant for me.

Last Sunday as I was listening to the radio in my room at midnight, welcoming our 51^st Independence Day anniversary together with other listeners on the air, I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.

I discovered for the very first time that as a disabled citizen in my country, I am now able to finally rejoice with my fellow non disabled Malaysian brothers and sisters in celebrating the true meaning of freedom and what it is all about.

Not just for me, folks, but it will be for all disabled residents of Petaling Jaya (PJ).

Even though many handicapped denizens and their caregivers living in our city may not realise this piece of marvellous news just yet.

I’m referring to the 150 disabled car park slots that the Majlis Bandaran Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) will be providing for the disabled all over PJ.

Work on this project starts this month and is expected to be completed before Christmas.

I can’t tell you how exciting this news is to the handicapped community. Especially when one considers how long we have been shut out of our society and the public.

Many drivers with disabilities have contacted me to say that they can’t wait to test out the very first MBPJ disabled car park when it comes out.

The city council will make sure that wheelchair users have ample space to get their wheelchairs in and out of their cars.

(Often, other cars parked next to the driver’s side block the wide space that is needed for the disabled person to get out of his vehicle.

It is for this reason why disabled drivers sometimes park their cars very close to other cars on their left.

This is to give them enough room so that they can get out of their cars from the driver’s seat side should another car park next to them.)

A unique feature rarely seen in our country and overseas is that each parking slot

will also provide a shelter for the driver’s car. This, of course, is to protect him or her from the elements.

A hot sunny day, as most of us know, can turn the car seat into a literal cooking pot. This can cause life-threatening blisters and sores for handicapped people with paralysed limbs that have no feeling at all.

Because of the numbness, most of them will not realise the hot seats until the damage has been done. And when that happens, the situation is often irreversible.

Umbrellas are also useless for wheelchair users during rain. Whilst an able-bodied person can zip into his car within seconds, the physically disabled will need at least 10 – 15 minutes to perform the same task.

Time is needed to position wheelchairs at exactly the correct angle before the driver swings himself into his car. One wrong move or error in judgment can be disastrous, sending the disabled person crashing on to the ground.

When that happens, they can often end up with a fracture or something worse.

The roofing is also a great boost for caregivers when they bring out their disabled children or parents for dinner, movies, shopping, etc.

Caregivers frequently need twice the time as they are often accompanied by another caregiver. They have to literally carry their paralysed loved ones out of the vehicle.

To use the special car parks, one has to obtain MBPJ’s specially designed wheelchair logos. These will be made available free of charge soon.

The disabled will have to produce their government registration handicapped ID cards.

For those who haven’t registered themselves yet, now is the good time to go and do so.

For those who have yet to be recognised officially as disabled persons by the government such as those with Parkinson’s disease and stroke, all you need to do is to provide a letter verifying your disability by a government doctor or the society one is a member of.

These are just some of the many goodies (and challenges!) that head of MBPJ’s city planning department director Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali and I, as city councillor, have lined up for the disabled community in PJ in the near future.

Providing these physical friendly structures is an imperative and positive start towards also changing deep seated negative mindsets of disabled people in our society.

Facilities like these will encourage both the disabled and their families to come and participate in public life with confidence.

By seeing the disabled-friendly car parks everywhere, I believe, more and more people will start to not only realise that there are indeed many disabled Malaysians among us, but we will have more importantly moved one giant step forward in creating – to use the MBPJ’s theme - “A liveable society and dynamic city for ALL PERSONS.”

Happy Hari Kebangsaan everybody!

Note: Pictures by Mr Sivaraman Kannan

The End

Sheltered Disabled Car Parks By Hari Raya - Malay Mail

Covered car parks by Hari Raya

August 15, 2008 Categories: Your Council

SOME good news for the disabled in Petaling Jaya. From November, there will be 150 sheltered car parks at various public parking lots around Petaling Jaya for the use of the disabled and people with special needs.

The council will provide a logo for people with special needs and their care-givers that are valid for life.

Those suffering from temporary disabilities due to accidents or falls can apply for the logo for a certain period.

"They will be required to renew it on a monthly basis to ensure it is used for the right purpose," said Anthony Sivabalan Thanasayan, a member of the council’s Technical Committee for the Facilities for the Disabled and the Elderly and a city councillor, who has agreed to use his councillor’s half-yearly allocation of RM50,000 towards addressing the needs of the disabled.

PJ To Be Disabled Friendly - Malay Mail

PJ to be disabled friendly from now on

By Pauline Almeida August 15, 2008 Categories: Your Council

As of this month, new buildings that need approval for construction have to meet the Technical Committee for the Facilities for the Disabled requirements — that they have lifts, ramps and toilets designed for people with special needs.

Though the committee’s request had been made two years ago, it is being given focus after some disabled members were elected as PJ councillors this year, including activist for the diabled, Anthony Sivabalan Thansayan.

"Back then (2006), nobody bothered. But now we are more serious, that new buildings have facilities for the disabled," said PJ planning and development director Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali yesterday.

Sharipah said the requirements were in line with the local council’s Building By-Laws for the Disabled, therefore applications to put up new buildings would only be approved if they fulfil the obligations towards people with special needs.

To date, some 15 applications from developers and architects to put up offices and shoplots in Petaling Jaya are being vetted by this technical committee to ensure developers and architects incorporate disabled-friendly features in their layout plans.

"If they fail to adhere to our criteria, then the building owners will be required to amend building plans to get approval for construction," said Marhaini.

List of Councillors in Petaling Jaya - The Star

Wednesday July 23, 2008

Councillors assigned designated zones

THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is the first local government in Selangor to release the list of zones to be served by its 24 councillors.

Under the zoning system, each councillor was allocated an area for them to better serve and understand the needs of the local residents.

Chan Chee Keong will represent PJU 8 Damansara Perdana, PJU 9 Bandar Sri Damansara and PJU 10 Damansara Damai while Syed Abd Malik Syed A Hamid Al Jafree will oversee PJU 6 Bandar Utama (Kampung Kayu Ara) and PJU 7 Mutiara Damansara.

Panneerselvam Varathan will represent PJU 4 (FRIM) and PJU 5 Kota Damansara while Mohd Halil Haji Harun will take care of PJU 1A, PJU 2 Jaya Industrial Park and PJU 3 Tropicana.

Ahmad Yusof Ludin has been assigned to SS21, SS22 and SS22A, Robert Tan Siang Chok takes care of SS23, 24 and 26 with Cynthia Gabriel was given PJU 1, SS25, and SS4.

The SS2 area was assigned to Francis Chang while Mak Khuin Weng will represent Section 19 residents with Richard Yeoh looking after Section 16 and 17.

Ghazali Shaari will represent Section 11, 12 and 13, Derek Fernandez Section 5 and Section 10 and Anthony Thanasayan will oversee Section 6, 7, 9 and 52.

Sections 8, 14 and 51A will come under Thiruvenggadam Aamuthu, Section 2 and 52 under Tang Fuie Koh while

Latheefa Koya will represent Section 1, 1A, 3, 4 and 18.

Dr Melasutra Md Dali has been assigned to PJS 1 and 2, Mahharul Ismail (PJS 3 and 4) and Ramakrishnan Suppiah (Section 20, 21 and 22).

Tiew Way Keng has been assigned to SS1, SS3 and SS9A, Muzammil Hafiz (SS5 and SS6), Michael Soon Kwai Choy (SS7 and SS11), Kamarudin Suhaimi (SS8, SS9 and SS10) and Halimey Abu Bakar (PJS 5, PJS 6, part of PJS7, PJS 8, and PJS 10).

Weekend View: A Hero Of The Disabled - NST story

A hero of the disabled Sheila Sri Priya

Anthony Sivabalan Thanasayan is the first ever disabled person to be an MBPJ councillor.

PETALING JAYA: Anthony Sivabalan Thanasayan may have grown up with the disadvantage of being disabled, but the greatest obstacle he has faced in his life has had less to do with his disability per se, and more with the discrimination and lack of consideration shown by society to people like him.

For a while during his formative years, it seemed as if Anthony's spirit was beaten. After a botched operation at the age of 10 left him paralysed, Anthony said goodbye to his education when his school refused to accommodate his need for special facilities.

Later, isolated from the world and intellectually-frustrated, he contended with depression and suicidal impulses.

But Anthony soon rallied with a vengeance. Spurred on by a determination to improve the lives of the disabled, Anthony would go on to become a celebrated disabled rights advocate.

Today, he is president of the Malaysian Animal-assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association and is also founder of the Reaching Out to Educate the Able-bodied and Care for the Handicapped (REACH).

But Anthony's greatest achievement was accomplished only recently, when he was elected as one of 24 new MBPJ councillors, making him the first-ever disabled person to hold such a position.

Q: Tell us about your childhood.

A: I was born in Klang. I'm the second-eldest of four boys, and the rest of my siblings are normal. At a young age, I was diagnosed with Spina Bifida, which meant that my spine was not properly formed and I had a lump on my back.

At the age of 10, I underwent an operation to alleviate the problem, but it was a failure. It resulted in the complete paralysis of the bottom half of my body.

What's worse, doctors blamed my body for the operation's failure and forced me to walk with the aid of calipers, but I couldn't.

There was more heartbreak when I wanted to return to school after Standard Four. My parents had requested the installation of a handicapped toilet for me, and my principal responded by suggesting that I be sent to a school for children with Down Syndrome instead (which could not accommodate me academically).

The only option was for me to stop going to school.

Q: How did you and your family react to this?

A: Once I knew I was disabled, I began wishing that I could mingle with others like me, but I was never given the opportunity to do so. Also, my parents never really spoke to me about why I was different, so I was slightly in the dark.

As a teen, my social activities were limited. When we moved to PJ, I was virtually house-bound and I didn't have many friends.

But my life improved tremendously when my aunt bought me a wheelchair. Suddenly, I could move around of my own accord, and my whole world changed.

Q: Why didn't you have a wheelchair?

A: The silly doctors wanted me to learn to walk because they didn't want to accept the fact that they had rendered me disabled. Apparently, a pediatric doctor had accidentally severed my nerves. So, they didn't want me to rely on a wheelchair because they wanted me to walk again.

Q: How did you manage to advance your education?

A: When I was on my own, I was left with the TV. And when I discovered radio, I was listening to Reuters and BBC news at times, five hours a day. It was a great source of knowledge for me. I was exposed to the outside world.

I was then dealt a blow when I developed bed sores that had to be operated on. I was in hospital for over a year, and was at a very low point emotionally. I felt I only had two options -- live with depression for the rest of my life, or commit suicide. I was then in my early 20s.

But one day, I met a lifeguard who was so intent on teaching me how to swim.

My first lesson in the pool was embarrassing. I was in my swimming trunks and other kids in the swimming pool screamed and ran away when they saw me.

But I didn't care because I felt free. I didn't need a wheelchair to swim! The day I finally realised I could swim was one of the best days of my life.

Q: What was the first big step you took towards living a full life?

A: One day, I wondered what it would be like to travel abroad and how life was like for the disabled in other countries.

So I wrote a letter to the US embassy stating that I was disabled and that I wanted to visit their country.

To my great surprise, my request was approved. And that began an adventure that opened my eyes to the possibilities of life. It was 1982.

Upon reaching the US, I was surprised to be greeted by a quadriplegic who drove his own car. Later, I went on a speedboat ride and a river-rafting expedition for the disabled -- things I never thought were possible for me.

Then I attended a conference where a disabled person giving a talk with a laser pointer had a dog seated beside him.

At first, I didn't understand why the animal was there. But when he accidentally dropped his laser pointer, the dog immediately picked it up, jumped on his lap and placed the pointer back in his hands.

The visit changed me profoundly. When I returned home, I wanted to share my new knowledge with others like me.

I began telling people that the disabled here in Malaysia were living in darkness. Then I started writing letters to newspapers on a range of disability-related issues.

Q: What did you buy with your first few pay cheques?

A: I bought a dog from a pet shop . Of all things, I was sold a rottweiler puppy (the shopkeeper had no clue as to its breed).

My friends were horrified, and told me that someday, the dog was going to push me off my wheelchair and have me for lunch.

But that was then, and I've become quite a dog person since.

Today, I have a rottweiler, a German shepherd and a golden retriever.

They are my best buddies. They taught me to look at life differently. By loving my animals, I learned to love myself.

And they're a big help to me. They help me pick up objects, push my wheelchair, and are generally better to me than some humans, including some doctors!

Q: What were some of the worst instances of discrimination you have faced in your life?

A: I was once insulted by a church pastor for wanting a special toilet. I enjoy window shopping but I was also accused of shoplifting several times when I left without buying anything. They suspected that I must have stolen things.

Today, I'm a proud writer and PJ councillor. How much better can it get?

Q: How did it feel to be appointed as a councillor?

A: I never dreamt of becoming a councillor. In the US, there are disabled people in their councils, but not here.

I was thrilled when I first got the news. They accepted me with my Standard Four education. I was wondering they would change their mind if they knew I never completed my primary education, but maybe, because I have a story to tell, I was honoured with an important role.

MBPJ sent their special van for the handicapped to pick me up from my home on the morning of the PJ councillors swearing-in ceremony event recently.

I had tears of joy in my eyes when I saw the van, and at the board meeting room where the event took place, there was a special table made for me. From the bottom of my heart, I thank MBPJ for their concern.

Q: Where do you hang out?

A: I like going to Mid Valley, because it has wheelchairs and the place is very accessible for the disabled. I don't know of other places. I also enjoy driving around (yes, I can drive!) and sometimes my dogs would go along for the ride.

Q: Have you ever been in a relationship?

A: I've had several relationships, but they didn't work out due to differences.

NST: Time to measure up 02/07/08

Time to measure up the Streets team

Subang Jaya councillors lining up to be measured for their official suit and batik outfit. — Picture by P.C. Lim

71 councillors take their oaths in PJ, Subang Jaya and Shah Alam.

Subang Jaya councillors being briefed by council president Datuk Adnan Md Ikhsan (left) after the swearing-in.

SHAH ALAM: A total of 71 local government councillors in Petaling Jaya (24), Shah Alam (23) and Subang Jaya (24) were sworn in yesterday.

The swearing-in ceremonies, which started at 11am, went well except for some dissatisfaction among a few councillors at the Petaling Jaya City Council over their portfolios.

The councillors, who are all new, were eager to work and couldn't wait to get down to business.

Several of the PJ councillors wanted to know about the scope of their jobs and on which of the 12 committees they would serve.

Wheelchair-bound Anthony Sivabalan of PET Positive wants to be in the health, legal, and enforcement committee instead of the finance committee that he was originally slated for.

"I want improvement in infrastructures, especially for the disabled and elderly. Before this, I had approached the council as an outsider, but now that I'm a councillor, I'm able to speak on behalf of the disabled and bring up their grouses directly to the mayor," he said.

Ramakrishnan Suppiah of the DAP said he did not want to be in the infrastructure and traffic advisory committee; he wished to be in the finance committee as he has experience in accounting.

Lawyer Derek Fernandez said he wished to be in both the One-Stop Centre and finance committees.

PJ mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said a reshuffle would be done and a notice issued to all councillors within a week.

Michael Soon K.C, a councillor for Petaling Jaya, could not attend the swearing-in ceremony as he was on a business trip to the United Kingdom.

The Shah Alam City Council convened a meeting immediately after the swearing-in, with the councillors wanting to discuss residents' issues.

Among the issues raised was the maintenance of sports facilities including Stadium Melawati, the aquatic and extreme sports centre.

The state government decided that the Shah Alam City Council would be responsible for the maintenance of the stadium and sport centres, as opposed to the suggestion by the previous council that wanted the facilities to be maintained by Permodalan Negri Selangor Bhd.

Shah Alam mayor Mazalan Md Noor said the appointment of Ahmad Zamri Kamaruddin, the former city planning director, had been suspended."We received the order (on Monday) from the state government although we were verbally informed three days ago. We were not informed the reason for his name being left out.

"Any appointment after this will be done at the council's full board meeting," said Mazalan.

Councillor Sivarajan Arumugam, a chemist, pointed out that there was an imbalance of development in Shah Alam.

"The city boasts excellent infrastructure and public facilities, but there are areas still lacking, as well as illegal factories which cause environmental problem and flooding," he said.

Subang Jaya councillors were given a two-hour presentation on the council's background by the president Datuk Adnan Md Ikhsan. He briefed them on MPSJ operations and its past work before launching public Internet access centres.

Councillor Theresa Ratnam said she plans to raise the issue of illegal hawkers."I believe that the hawkers need a proper place to conduct their business. I don't know how we are going to minimise the number of illegal hawkers with the current economic situation, as people are looking for a second income," she said.

Housebuyers Association of Malaysia secretary-general Chang Kim Loong said: "The first issue I'm going to raise is the abandoned projects all over Subang Jaya."

FIRST DISABLED COUNCILLOR IN MALAYSIA

STARMETRO

Wednesday July 2, 2008

Assemblymen to sit as observers at MBPJ meetings

By TAN KARR WEI, JADE CHAN AND OH ING YEEN

SELANGOR state assemblymen will now sit in as observers at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) full board and committee meetings.

Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San said this would encourage greater transparency because council committee meetings used to be closed-door meetings.

“Compared with the previous government, assemblymen were not appointed as councillors this time around but we will still monitor what's happening at the councils,” said Lau.

After a long wait and amid much speculation, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillors were finally sworn in yesterday at a ceremony at the MBPJ headquarters at Jalan Yong Shook Lin.

Despite demands by representatives of PJ residents to be included as councillors, the announced list remained the same with 17 political appointees (seven from PKR, six from DAP and four from PAS) and seven NGO representatives.

Women power: (From left) Cynthia Manonmani Michael Gabriel, Latheefa Beebi Koya, Professor Madya Dr Melasutra Md Dall and Tiew Way Keng are the four female councillors sworn in at MBPJ yesterday.

All the councillors were sworn in except for Michael Soon, who was away attending to work matters.

Also present at the ceremony were PJ Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian, Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne, Taman Medan assemblyman Haniza Mohamed Talha, Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong and Kota Damansara assemblyman Dr Nasir Hashim.

In his speech, Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Roslan Sakiman reminded the councillors about their duties and responsibilities in serving the people and city of PJ, and for all to work together as a team.

“The 'no wrong door policy' needs to be practised in this council,” he said, adding that the combination of professionals, politicians and NGO representatives would make the new councillor line-up a dynamic combination that would generate good ideas for the development of PJ.

Roslan said the council would decide on the 24 areas that each councillor would be in charge of and they would be required to open up a service centre at their respective areas.

They would receive an annual allocation of RM100,000 each to run their service centres and the amount for this year would be pro-rated.

Councillor Ghazali Shaari (PAS) said his main concern was in areas with a high concentration of low-income earners.

“There is a big disparity between the rich and the poor and if this issue is not looked into, it would lead to social problems and is bad for society,” said Ghazali.

Urban planner Dr Melasutra Md Dali said: “ I wish that we can do better in terms of planning and nurturing the environment to make it more liveable.

Meanwhile, Kamarudin Suhaimi (PAS) hopes to see PJ become more civilised and better developed to attract tourists.

“I would like to have the various small hubs and towns in PJ to be identified and given their own unique identities, so people know which part of PJ to go to when they want something.”

Anthony Thanasayan said one of the first things he would do is to request that he be allowed to bring his dog to help him move about within MBPJ’s premise.

“I have submitted my letter of request to the mayor,’’ said Anthony who is a columnist for The Star.

JOBS FOR THE DISABLED FORM OUT NOW - berita harian

QUICK COMMENT:

Here's a report published in Berita Harian last Saturday where I attended as a representative from PETPOSITIVE. The invitation came from the Welfare Department.

Seen with me holding the latest employment forms is Gurdip Kaur @ Rina from the Independent Living and Training Centre who will be officially sworn-in as Councillor for the Selayang Municipal Council on Thursday.

Rina and I are so far the only disabled councillors that we know of. There appears to be one more in Klang who is either a disabled person or a representative of a disabled NGO.

I will be sworn in tomorrow as a MBPJ Councillor along with human rights workers Latheefa Koya and Cynthia Gabriel.

Here now is the Berita Harian report:

OKU dibantu dapat kerja sektor awam

Oleh Nor Azma Laila

BANTU OKU: Anthony Siva (dua dari kanan) berbincang dengan Sapura Ramdhan (dua kiri) sambil diperhatikan, Siti Nor Baya Ramli dan Gurdip Kaur @ Rina (kiri) pada sidang media dan majlis penyerahan borang pekerjaan untuk orang kurang upaya oleh Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat.

Borang khas maklumat, nilai kelayakan disediakan

KUALA LUMPUR: Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat mengambil langkah proaktif untuk membantu orang kurang upaya (OKU) memperoleh pekerjaan dalam perkhidmatan awam dengan mewujudkan Borang Maklumat Pencarian Kerja OKU.

Ketua Setiausahanya, Datuk Faizah Mohd Tahir, berkata borang itu adalah untuk mengumpul maklumat OKU bagi memudahkan peluang penempatan pekerjaan oleh agensi kerajaan yang dilantik, antaranya, Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam (SPA).

"Usaha yang juga membabitkan Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Pelajaran (SPP) dan Jabatan Tenaga Kerja (JTK) ini juga selaras dengan Pelaksanaan Dasar Satu Peratus Peluang Pekerjaan Dalam Sektor Awam kepada OKU.

"Dasar yang diwujudkan sejak 1988 itu bertujuan memastikan OKU yang berpotensi dan berkelayakan tidak dipinggirkan dalam mendapat peluang pekerjaan di sektor awam," katanya pada sidang media penyerahan borang berkenaan kepada beberapa persatuan OKU, di sini, semalam.

Hadir sama, Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM), Meme Zainal Rashid dan Ketua Penolong Pengarah, Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA), Yuswan Yunus.

Faizah berkata, melalui maklumat yang diperoleh daripada borang berkenaan, JKM dapat mengenal pasti jumlah OKU yang mempunyai kelayakan dan akan diberi khidmat nasihat mengenai jenis pekerjaan yang sesuai berdasarkan kelayakan serta jenis kecacatan yang dialami.

"Bagaimanapun, tindakan untuk menempatkan OKU mengikut kelayakan dan jenis pekerjaan yang diminati bergantung kepada SPA dan kekosongan di sesebuah organisasi.

"Kita di JKM cuma membantu memudahkan urusan OKU untuk memohon pekerjaan selain memberi cadangan supaya mempertimbangkan permohonan mereka," katanya.

Beliau berkata, berdasarkan rekod SPA, pembabitan OKU secara keseluruhan dalam perkhidmatan awam sehingga April 2008 hanya 0.22 peratus atau 581 OKU selain 1.77 peratus atau 92 OKU daripada 5,179 orang yang berkhidmat di JKM.

Beliau berkata, bilangan kakitangan OKU di JKM sudah melebihi peratus yang ditetapkan dan pihaknya kini mensasarkan peratusan itu dalam perkhidmatan awam lain dalam tempoh terdekat.

Katanya, borang itu yang antara lain memerlukan OKU mengisi maklumat peribadi, kelayakan akademik dan pengalaman kerja boleh didapati pada laman web kementerian dan agensi berkaitan seperti JKM, Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita, Lembaga Penduduk dan Pembangunan Keluarga Negara (LPPKN).

"OKU juga boleh mendapatkan borang berkenaan di pejabat JKM negeri dan daerah, LPPKN negeri, klinik LPPKN dan di suruhanjaya terbabit iaitu di SPA, SPP, JPA, dan JTK," katanya.

Sementara itu, Presiden Persatuan Bantuan Haiwan untuk Warga Kurang Upaya dan Warga Tua, Anthony Siva Balan Thanasayan, berkata usaha itu adalah langkah baik untuk membantu OKU mendapatkan pekerjaan terutama dalam sektor awam.

Tamat.

Weekend View: Getting A Chance To Speak - wheel power, the star

I NEARLY fell off my wheelchair last Friday, folks! Honest.

It was not because of an accident or anything like that.

Rather, it was for an incredibly good reason. And my eyes almost popped out in disbelief at the news.

I was thrilled to bits to discover in The Star that I had been picked as one of the five councillors with disabilities by the new Government in Selangor.

(At the time of writing this article, however, the other four handicapped representatives’ identities had not yet been disclosed.)

I was especially surprised as I had not made any application for the post.

Which disabled person would not jump for joy over such news?

Being included in decision-making bodies has been the clarion cry of disabled advocates the world over for ages.

In fact there is one particularly popular saying that has served as a common motto for most disabled persons and organisations around the world.

It is this: “Nothing about us, without us.”

What this means is that whenever decisions are made about handicapped people anywhere, it is imperative and only proper that disabled people themselves be involved in such processes.

More so in matters that determine their future and livelihood.

Malaysia is no exception.

For nearly two decades, Malaysians with handicapping conditions and organisations that support us have been calling for opportunities to be involved in decision-making bodies.

Although well-meaning, we were generally fed up with non disabled people such as doctors, social workers and others speaking up on our behalf.

Without wanting to seem unappreciative, one really has no clue as to what disability is unless one has “walked a mile in our shoes.”

I mean that literally.

Treating disabled persons and being with them is not the same at all as living life in a wheelchair or having a neurological condition, for examples.

And it is no surprise to us either why many local councils have not got many things right so far for the handicapped.

When you consider their lack of orientation with handicapped conditions, who can really blame anyone?

Pavements for wheelchair users are not completely flattened at access points.

The blind can’t avoid crashing into lampposts and garbage bins that are positioned indiscriminately on walkways.

Lifts made for wheelchairs have pathways with a sudden step or two to access them.

Disabled-friendly car parks are nowhere to be seen. When you do come across one, it is tucked away at a distance rather than next to entrances of buildings.

These are just some of the myriad of ridiculously challenging situations that Malaysians with disabilities have to needlessly confront in Petaling Jaya, for instance, where I am to serve.

Local authorities, therefore, need to be in touch with real people in order to be able to make a real difference in the lives of the people in their municipalities.

Studies in more advanced nations abroad show that things for the disabled had only effected a positive change when disabled citizens were part and parcel with non disabled members in local councils.

Despite our earnest plea, our calls had only fallen on deaf years. Even when disabled persons were consulted previously, it was never as fully-fledged councillors.

Not until now.

Hence the move by the Selangor Government to finally include disabled persons into the local council on an equal status is a history-making effort since the birth of our nation.

They certainly deserve our praise for having taken the unprecedented and bold step to do this.

As for me, this is a completely new journey.

It is never about supporting political parties on any side but rather to use my God-given new position and influence in the local council to help do what is needed to raise the quality of lives of the disabled and elderly in our society.

I also hope to play an instrumental role through my NGO Petpositive.

I hope that I will be able to help bring a new understanding about the tremendous, unique and complementary role that animals and pets play in the lives of handicapped and elderly Malaysians through the power of animal-assisted therapy.

I will be attending meetings with my canine companion Soo who is trained to assist me during an emergency – whether it is to rush to my aid or call for help when required.

When I am seen there with him, I hope that prejudices in whatever form will be set aside.

Instead of some people expecting me to see things from their point of view, I hope that they will be magnanimous and see things from my perspective instead.

Special pets play an indispensable and key role in providing greater independence in the lives of the handicapped – often far greater than humans ever can or have the time to do.

Well, wish me luck, everyone! I can’t wait to tell you more about my adventures!

The End

PETPOSITIVE PRESIDENT TO BE SWORN-IN ON TUESDAY

PETPOSITIVE UPDATE:

Good news everybody!

Tuesday at 10.30am is the day and date when I, together with all the other Majlis Bandaran Petaling Jaya will be sworn-in as local councillors.

We will be under probation for a year before the powers-that-be decide to confirm us.

I have not received any letter yet to date. However, I was told by another councillor who got hers that Tuesday will also be our first official meeting with each other.

The MBPJ says that they will send their disabled-friendly van to pick me up. This will be the first time that I will be seeing the van, as well as have a chance to use it.

In the meantime, here are two stories in today's StarMetro on the issue:

Happy reading!

aNt
PET+BLOGSPOT

Thursday June 26, 2008

Gurdip Kaur elected into Selayang council

By STUART MICHAEL

INDEPENDENT Living and Training Centre (ILTC) secretary Gurdip Kaur Pritam Singh, who has been fighting for the rights of the disabled for the last 10 years, has been included as one of the 24 councillors in Selayang Municipal Council (MPS).

Gurdip, 47, said she was surprised that the state government hadappointed a disabled person as a councillor.

“I have always wanted to be a councillor someday to help the disabled community. Now, it's turning into a reality.

“I will make a promise to all the disabled people that I will help tackle problems like transport, toilet facilities and recreational areas. .

“In Rawang for example, motorists have always parked in disabled parking lots and I want this to stop . What the previous councillors did not fulfil, I will promise to bring it up in the council meetings,'' she said.

The others appointed under the non-political quota are Tan Kian Boo of Lembaga Arkitek Mia corporate member, Tan Hui Chuan (Rawang High No High Tension Cable committee), Associate Professor Dr Husin Mohd Dini (Dean of the Faculty of Architecture & Built Environment), Lim Jit Lee and Datuk Abdul Rashid Omar, a former Public Works Department director.

Most of the political appointees were made up of party workers of the Pakatan Rakyat’s coalition parties. Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has the highest number of representation with nine followed with five from PAS and three from DAP.

MPS president Zainal Abidin Azim said that the councillors have a week to reply before the swearing-in ceremony.

“In fact, most of them have replied and the swearing in process and full board meeting will be held in the second week of July. We are following the directive from the state and like previously offering the councillorship for two year term,'' he said.

Thursday June 26, 2008

Pua joins chorus against MBPJ line-up

FOLLOWING the statement by Kam-pung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua (picture right) also spoke out against the appointment of a political party member under the non-governmental organisation (NGO) quota of the MBPJ councillor list.

“I’d like to express my regret and disappointment that such action has blemished an otherwise excellent step taken by the Selangor state government to include NGO participation while waiting for the local government to be democratically elected in the near future,” said Pua in his media statement.

He said while it was an important change for NGO members to be appointed to the local council, he called upon the state government to review its decision to ensure that only genuine and reputable NGO members and local residents association leaders are given priority.

In an earlier statement, Lau noted that that there were only six NGO councillors in the list: Richard Yeoh (Transparency International), Anthony Thanasayan (coordinator of Malaysians Against Discrimination of the Disabled), Dr Melasutra Md Dali (town planner), Cynthia Manonmani Michael Gabriel (Suaram), Derek Fernandez (prominent lawyer on local governance) and Paneer Sivam (labourer activist).

This singles out social activist Chan Chee Keong and certain quarters claim that he is a PKR member.

End

REALISING A VISION FOR PETALING JAYA - malay mail