Malaysiakini: A BIG BOUQUET TO SULTAN OF SELANGOR

Today's Malaysiakini Letter:

The Malaysian Animal-assisted Therapy for the Disabled and the Elderly Association (PetPositive) would like to applaud the Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah from the bottom of our hearts for his most timely call to make our public gardens friendly to all Malaysians with handicaps.

MCPX

The sultan mentioned the disabled’s plight when he ordered the Klang Royal Garden landscape consultant - Tajul Landart - to scrap a number of items costing RM7.5mil, saying it was a waste of public funds.

The fact that the Selangor Sultan stopped to consider the needs of the handicapped when most people and local governments seem to only care about development at any cost shows what a truly caring leader Tuanku is.

His timely call and forward-thinking view will contribute significantly to how people will view the handicapped from now on. They should never be seen as persons who are punished by God, or as ‘patients’, ‘sick persons’ or ‘charity cases’ for the rest of their lives.

Taking the cue from our royalty, people can now start to see disabled Malaysians as also equal citizens who should be given the same rights and facilities to enjoy public recreational parks like others.

All recreational parks should be completely wheelchair-friendly and must provide disabled- friendly toilets. Playgrounds for children must be made with special facilities that disabled children can also use them. (Such facilities are commonly available overseas and our local governments should make an effort to bring them here too.)

Wheelchairs should also be provided for persons with walking difficulties or the elderly who may require them. Special consideration should also be given to pets that play a positive role in the lives of disabled persons. Recreational parks that currently disallow dogs and other animals should be willing to make exceptions to their rule.

Dogs can help the blind find their way about independently. They can help wheelchair-users to by pulling them along. They can help epileptics when they have an attack, by warning them of an oncoming attack and staying by their side until the episode is over. Canines are also a deterrent for crime and provide comfort and happiness for the elderly.

The writer is president, PetPositive.

Selangor Sultan Supports The Disabled - StarMetro

QUICK COMMENT: Here's a very interesting piece of news that was first brought to my notice by my pal Kudsia Kahar, the General Manager, of AMP Radio Networks, Malaysia.

Just a quick note on Kuds: She has been my fan ever since her days as DJ (with Gary Thanasen) on Radio Muzik in her Caller At Twelve show. I met her for the first time last July when I approached her for help for our Society's charity dinner event.

I am pleased to say that not only is Kudsia a great animal fan; she is also a strong supporter of disabled persons and their rights to live equally with the rest of the able-bodied community in our society.

aNt
PET+BLOGSPOT

Tuesday May 27, 2008

Consultant told to scrap frills in royal garden project

Story and photos by EDWARD RAJENDRA

The Sultan also wants the garden area friendly for the physically challenged... MUHAMMAD HIJAZ SANUSI

SELANGOR Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has ordered the Klang Royal Garden landscape consultant Tajul Landart to scrap two arches, a minaret, watch tower, souvenir kiosk and decorative lightings costing RM7.5mil, saying it was a waste of public funds.

Sultan Sharafuddin who is known for his no-nonsense attitude, ticked off the consultant for proposing the lavish frills that pushed the 6.3ha public garden project to an exorbitant RM11mil.

Now it cost just RM3.5 mill after the unnecessary frills were erased from the plan.

The Sultan had advised the consultants, National Landscape Department and Klang Municipal Council's Garden and Recreation Department director Muhammad Hijaz Sanusi to create a garden with a soul.

Hijaz said the Sultan devotes his time to givevaluable inputs so that the people can enjoy an urban oasis within the hustle and bustle of the township.

The Klang Royal Garden, scheduled to be open to the public in October this year, is sandwiched between Jalan Tengku Kelana, Jalan Istana Baru and Jalan Istana.

Part of it can be seen opposite the Our Lady of Lourdes Church where a fountain built a few years ago would be retained as part of the landscape together with the 80-year-old rainforest trees.

Garden with a soul: Part of the Klang Royal Garden with the designated children’s playground (left) and fountain.

“The Sultan also wants the garden area friendly for the physically challenged.

“People are going to love this green area as it will have a jogging track, gazebo, two open air plazas, outdoor fitness station, children's playground and park benches,” Hijaz added.

He said the garden would have about 18 species of flowering and fruit trees.

“Among the tree species to be planted are African Tulip, Tekoma, Putat and Tembusu. (These trees were chosen as Tuanku as he wanted trees that are easily maintained and attract birds,” he said.

End