The disabled want debate on their rights

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/656541

Posted on 9 April 2013 - 05:25am
Last updated on 9 April 2013 - 02:08pm

Tan Yi Liang
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

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PETALING JAYA (April 9, 2013): Organisations representing people with disabilities (PWDs) have called for a Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Rakyat debate focused on advancing the rights of these people.

Society for the Blind committee member Mohammad Faizal Che Yusof said the debate will shed light on what both coalitions have in store for PWDs after the general election.

"We hope (the) new government, Barisan or Pakatan, will establish a ministry for the protection of the rights of PWDs. We are looking seriously to see how such rights can be protected, as opposed to charity or sympathy handouts," he told theSun yesterday.

Faizal said all legal bodies created under the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 should be strengthened, and hoped the government formed after the general election will defend the rights of PWDs.

Meanwhile, Damai Disabled Persons Association Malaysia president V. Murugeswaran said the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 should be amended to safeguard the rights of PWDs.

He also said Barisan's pledge to ensure the Rapid Bus System caters to PWDs in every state should be in tandem with cooperation from the local authorities to ensure infrastructure such as bus stops are accessible to PWDs.