Saturday, October 1, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Bank 'humanised'
Facilities installed to aid movement of disabled and elderly folk
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 15:55:00
The branch also signifies Maybank’s new corporate identity, which, in the company's motto, attempts to "humanise financial services".
This was done by installing wheelchair ramps and automatic sliding doors, among others, at the branch, as part of Maybank's efforts to transform its consumer-based banking to be more community-based, thus reaffirming its position as a market leader.
"We have positioned our branches as one-stop centres that can meet all financial needs of the community," said Maybank chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar (pic).
The bank will also host a first-of-its-kind, self-service broker kiosk that allows customers to perform online stockbroking transactions, a helpline that is directly connected to the Maybank Group Customer Care as well as automated teller machines (ATMs) with lower panels.
"A total of 66 branches will be transformed to Maybank's new look during this financial year with five being rolled out next month," said Abdul Wahid.Among the five would be those in SS2 Petaling Jaya and the City Complex in Jalan Klang Lama.
"Within the next five years, 150 branches will undergo this transformation along with 2,000 touch points," Abdul Wahid said.
Maybank deputy president and head for community financial services Lim Hong Tat said: "We started this transformation programme a year ago and we have trained our staff in that order.
"The intention is to make branches less cluttered, more comfortable and stress-free, coupled with greater service quality."
According to Lim, the renovation costs for each branch was between RM1.2 million and RM 1.8 million, with the whole corporate re-branding cost over the five years estimated to be nearly RM200 million.
Upon touring the new branch, The Malay Mail observed it also offers financial advisers' services with an increased number of counters offering banking advice.
Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan president V. Murugeswaran was among those who attended the event.
Monday, September 26, 2011
The biggest financial institution in country Maybank setting example for others to follow. Time for the corporate, local and central government to wake-up and do what they promise. Don't just walk and talk
EASIER ACCESS
2011/09/25 By Dawn Chan streets@nstp.com.my
A wheelchair-bound customer using a disabled-friendly ATM machine at the Maybank branch at Taman Connaught. — Picture by Aizuddin Saad
KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank's disabled-friendly branches have made banking easier for the wheelchair bound.
In June last year, Maybank launched several disabled-friendly branches to cater to the needs of their wheelchair-bound customers.
Besides easy accessibility to self-service facilities at specially built ATM and cash deposit machines, there are also designated counters and parking lots, as well as ramps, for the disabled.
The ATM for the disabled is only 73cm high, from floor to keypad.
The area for the disabled-friendly machine is bigger than normal to facilitate a 1.5metre turning radius for customers in wheelchairs.
Some of the machines are also located near the entrance of the bank's self-service terminals.
Some branches have parking lots and ramps for the disabled.
Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territory (Damai) was approached by Maybank to plan and provide better facilities to cater to the needs of the disabled.Association president V. Murugeswaran said the issue in the past centred around the inaccessibility of getting into the banks.
"This made it impossible for the disabled to carry out transactions without help from a third party.
"The regular ATMs are too high for those of us in a wheelchair, and if there is someone standing behind us at the ATM, there is no privacy as the person could easily peek at what we are doing."
"We are thankful that Maybank has done a great job and gone the extra mile for us," he said recently.
Murugeswaran said many association members had become Maybank customers because of the disabled-friendly facilities.
Disabled-friendly signages and stickers are also prominently displayed in the banks.
Maybank community financial services deputy president and head Lim Hong Tat said: "We have upgraded some of our branches with specific facilities for disabled customers such as ramps to the entrance, sliding doors to self-service terminal areas as well as special ATM models for wheelchair customers."
The branches that offer disabled-friendly facilities are in Taman Connaught (Cheras), Dataran Maybank (Bangsar), Jalan Bunus (KL city centre), Kuchai Lama, Kepong, and in Bandar Baru Selayang.
In Petaling Jaya, the disabled-friendly outlets are at its main branch in Jalan Sultan, Jalan SS2/63 outlet, and in Subang Perdana.
The disabled-friendly branches outside the Klang Valley are Senawang in Negri Sembilan, Lumut and Sitiawan in Perak, Karamunsing in Sabah, Taman Nusa Bestari in Johor, Jalan Munshi Abdullah in Malacca, as well as Wakaf Siku in Kelantan.
Lim said, besides Damai, the bank also worked with other organisations such as K9 Perwira (a non-governmental organisation in support of people with spinal cord injuries), Society of Disabled People of Sarawak and Sabah Cheshire Home in Kota Kinabalu, on the initiative.
Lim said there was encouraging response from their disabled-friendly branches.
"The feedback indicated our customers are satisfied with the services provided. They have also encouraged us to expand these services to more branches."
Lim said when the bank renovated other branches, they wou
Read more: EASIER ACCESS http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2disabx/Article/#ixzz1ZAmotyqs
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Reconsider decision on aerobridges, MAHB urged
2011/08/20
Members of the group holding up banners to voice their displeasure with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. — Picture by Nurul Syazana Rose Razman
Representative Christine Lee said the decision was not done in consultation with user groups and had not taken into consideration public opinion.
"MAHB's decision not to include aerobridges is a step backward," she said at a gathering, attended by about 30 disabled people, to express their displeasure over the matter here yesterday.
"If underdeveloped countries can have aerobridges at their airports, why is Malaysia, which is a step away from developed nation status, regressing to third-world infrastructure and service provision?" Lee, who is the Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport Organisation coordinator, asked.
She added that aerobridges should and must be made a universal feature in all airport designs.
Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territories president V. Murugeswaran, said aerobridges would allow for easier, safer and secure access to boarding and disembarkation of all passengers, especially the disabled community. -- Bernama
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Govt to wait for MAHB’s decision on KLIA2 aerobridge
Thursday September 22, 2011
By REGINA LEE
regina@thestar.com.my
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) should decide on the aerobridge debacle and get back to the Government with a decision.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the Government was still waiting for the MAHB board of directors to decide on whether to install aerobridges in the new low-cost carrier terminal, or KLIA2, at the KL International Airport in Sepang.
He added that he empathised with the plight of the disabled in pushing for the aerobridges.
“(The disabled) are not the only ones. Senior citizens, young children and pregnant women also face difficulty in climbing the steps to get into the aircraft,” he said at his ministry's Hari Raya open house here.
Kong added that the Malaysian Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) were also in favour of the aerobridges.
MAHB has decided not to install aerobridges in KLIA2 after considering budget carrier AirAsia's decision not to use them, citing cost factors.
Despite that, MAHB said the new terminal would be built to accommodate the installation of aerobridges should it be required in the future.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Published by azman saadiah on Sep 10, 2011
Target: AirAsia BerhadRegion: Malaysia
Sign the petition - A Request for AirAsia to use Aerobridges at KLIA2 - Sign Petition
Background (Preamble):
(Race to achieve 100,000 Signatures)
Dear fellow Malaysian,
Please support this petition if you believe that as a Malaysian, we should always have a first class facilities at airport regardless of what type of airline we are flying. Uses of aerobridges should be made compulsory to all airlines for the safety and comfort of their passengers regardless of budget airline or premium airline. Please sign this petition to show your support.
And do spread this petition to your friends by using any of the tools provided above such as twitter, facebook or e-mail. And help us to achieve the targeted signature, and shows the government and AirAsia that the majority of rakyat are for the aerobridges.
AirAsia reasons for not using aerobridges are because
their business model requires a quick turnaround time in order to increase aircraft utilisation, fly more and reduce cost.
Points for having an aerobridges:
- Passengers safety and comfort are more important than profit.
- Using low cost airline does not have to mean low standards in airport facilities.
- Rain Tunnel created by AirAsia is not the answer for passengers comfort and safety.
Dear AirAsia, please make a deal with Malaysia Airports that AirAsia are going to use aerobridges. I’m sure rakyat would be thankful and find ways to pay AirAsia back many times over later on.
This petition is inspired by P. Gunasegaram's Why not aerobridges? article. - http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2011/9/10/columnists/aquestionofbusiness/9461291&sec=aquestionofbusiness
Petition:
We, the undersigned, call on the AirAsia to use aerobridges at KLIA2 (New LCCT at Sepang).
Sign petition the link - http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/petition-for-airasia-to-use-aerobridges-at-klia2.html
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Cabinet defers decision on KLIA 2 aerobridges
Posted on 7 September 2011 - 05:47pm
Last updated on 8 September 2011 - 07:41am
Last updated on 8 September 2011 - 07:41am
PUTRAJAYA (Sept 7, 2011): The cabinet has deferred its decision on the installation of aerobridges at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA 2) low-cost carrier terminal pending further studies on the matter, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha today.
The cabinet will continue the feasibility study on installing aerobridges in response to the plight of the disabled community’s protest over Malaysian Airport Holdings Berhad’s (MAHB) decision not to instal the aerobridges.
Kong had promised to bring up the matter to the cabinet after meeting 11 representatives from the disabled community yesterday, including non-governmental organisation (NGO) Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport (B.E.A.T.) president Christine Lee.
“I brought up the issue during the discussion of the paper by (Women, Family and Community Development Minister) Datuk Seri Shahrizat (Abdul Jalil) that all public buildings must comply with disabled community friendly facilities.
“I met their representatives and I have informed the cabinet that KLIA 2 and generally all new main international airports need to have aerobridges. As the government, we must be caring and sympathetic to their needs,” Kong told theSun over a phone interview today.
However, Kong also said the Cabinet has “deferred making a decision, pending further studies on the matter”.
“This is the Cabinet’s decision. My stance on their plight is very clear. I am very sympathetic and I support their cause because the aerobridge can also be beneficial to others including pregnant mothers, infants and parents with infants and the elderly,” said Kong.
In a press conference earlier this week, Kong also said that KLIA is renowned worldwide as a first-class airport which means it should have “first-class facilities and not third-class facilities.”
The disabled community falls under the jurisdiction of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry. When asked whether its minister or any other members of the cabinet supported his proposal, Kong declined to comment.
Yesterday, 11 representatives from the disabled community met with Kong over the controversial decision by MAHB to forego the installation of 80 aerobridges at its new LCCT in KLIA 2 as it was not in line with AirAsia’s requirements and business model.
Its chairman Tan Sri Aris Othman said in July that the total cost for 80 aerobridges is around RM104 million. The RM2 billion KLIA 2 is expected to be completed in the second half of this year with an annual capacity 30 million passenger
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Tony says NO to aerobridges, MAHB & Khazanah say YES Sir!
Wee Choo Keong
Member of Parliament for Wangsa Maju
http://weechookeong.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/tony-says-no-to-aerobridges-mahb-khazanah-say-yes-sir/
August 21, 2011 by weechookeong
Tony can now order MAHB, indirectly Khazanah Nasional Sdn Bhd, what to do. As can be seen in the case of KLIA-2 where the original plan was to build aerobridges for the convenience of the passengers including disabled person (OKU). When Tony snapped his fingers and say no to aerobridges, Tan Sri Bashir of MAHB had to also kow tow. Even Khazanah was in total silence. What a powerful man indeed? No wonder AirAsia had a good record of owing more than RM125 million in airport taxes since its inception until recently and MAHB dared not leave a finger to take actions. Read HERE. The outstanding airport taxes were only paid recently after the matter were brought up in Parliament several times. See how powerful is Tan Sri Tony Fernandes/AirAsia and now Air Asia X Sdn Bhd. By the way the original name of AirAsia X Sdn Bhd, which is a more suitable name for Ministry of Transport and Khazanah, was Fly Asian Express Sdn Bhd, in HERE.I just couldn’t believe it that Tan Sri Tony Fernandes can just order MAHB, a GLC, and MAHB had to kow tow! If this is the case then Tan Sri Bashir should resign and Tan Sri Tony Fernandes should be appointed as the new managing director of MAHB. After all, a year or two after the inception of AirAsia, MAHB had to rush to build LCCT and a few year later renovating it costing more than RM200 million just to accommodate AirAsia. Of course, this was during the honeymoon years after 2003 where everything in the nation was in SLEEPING MODE and Tingkat Empat was calling the shots.
The LCCT was built like a warehouse but with the costs of five stars hotel. Remember Syarikat Fajar Builder Sdn Bhd, from REMBAU, a very famous place in Malaysia, in HERE. Please also read HERE, HERE, HERE.
However, I really am glad that at least a group of concerned citizen came out in protest against MAHB and Tan Sri Tony Fernandes. Yesterday Mr Murugeswaran of Damai Disabled Persons Association and a group of disabled persons protested at Bangsar LRT station against MAHB. Mr Murugeswaran lambasted MAHB and Tony and his AirAsia: “The decision by MAHB not to include aerobridges in the construction of the new airport is a step backward and taken in the wrong direction. If underdeveloped countries can have aerobridges at their airports, why is Malaysia which is a step away from achieving developed nation status, regressing to third world status infrastructure and service provision?” in HERE.
I fully agree with Mr Murugeswaran’s statements. The interests and well being of the disabled must be taken care of by MAHB and the government. I have never seen in any developed or developing countries when building a new airport without aerobridges just to dance to the whim and fancy of a CEO of a low cost air airline, which is still struggling to keep their nose above water. Of course, certain news portal and MSM have painted a more than rosy picture.
No wonder Khazanah had to say yes to the dirty share swap, which was hatched in absolute secrecy. Presumably, Khazanah had to also say “YES SIR”and quickly take up the 10% share in AirAsia Sdn Bhd, a private limited company with a debt of almost RM90 million, in HERE.
Going by the trend of the super powerful Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, I can’t wait to see him taking over MAHB and thereafter, Khazanah. Then AirAsia can collect airport taxes and be exempted from handing over to MAHB. Of course, we believe in TONY BOLEH in this Boleh Land.
‘Kami bukan makhluk asing’
Oleh MOHD. YUNUS YAKKUB
SEBAHAGIAN OKU membantah pengoperasian KLIA2 yang didakwa tidak mesra golongan itu ekoran tidak menyediakan jambatan udara di Kuala Lumpur semalam.
KUALA LUMPUR – Seramai 30 Orang Kelainan Upaya (OKU) dari pelbagai persatuan mengecam Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd. (MAHB) kerana tidak membina jambatan udara di Terminal Syarikat Penerbangan Tambang Murah baru iaitu KLIA2 yang bakal beroperasi tahun depan.
Presiden Persatuan OKU Damai Wilayah Persekutuan dan Selangor, V. Murugeswaran berkata, tindakan MAHB itu seolah-olah menghina golongan OKU yang juga mempunyai hak di negara ini.
“Saya kecewa. Mengapa setiap kali ada benda baharu yang ingin dibuat, golongan OKU dipinggir dan dianak tiri?
“Kami bukan aliens (makhluk asing). Meskipun kami ini minoriti namun kesejahteraan OKU wajar diberi jaminan,” katanya ditemui selepas mengadakan bantahan itu di Menara UOA semalam.
Menurut Murugeswaran yang cacat di bahagian kaki, jambatan udara termerupakan satu keperluan bukan sahaja kepada golongan OKU malah juga kepada warga emas dan ibu mengandung.
Tindakan itu, katanya, menyekat hak mereka untuk ke sesuatu tempat khususnya dalam sektor pelancongan.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
OKU: Please install aerobridges for us
Related story
OKU desak bina jambatan udara di KLIA2
Disabled group insists on aerobridge at new KLIA2 terminal
Disabled community pushes for aerobridges at KLIA2
Disabled community pushes for aerobridges at KLIA2
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/DisabledcommunitypushesforaerobridgesatKLIA2/Article/
Inconsiderate’ MAHB, Air Asia slammed
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/08/20/inconsiderate-mahb-air-asia-slammed/
MAHB must install aerobridges at KLIA 2
MAHB must install aerobridges at KLIA 2
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/173660
Friday, July 15, 2011
Govt still aiming for that one per cent
Wednesday, July 13th, 2011 11:44:00
PETALING JAYA: Despite being more than 20 years old, a policy of allocating one per cent of jobs in the civil service to the disabled has been difficult to achieve.
Nonetheless, the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president Datuk Omar Osman said the target was an achievable one.
“If each government agency takes in about five disabled staff, that would be enough to reach the one per cent target. However, sometimes even this cannot be realised due to the unsuitability of jobs and skills,” he told The Malay Mail.
Omar urged public sector agencies and departments to provide a quota for the disabled groups in terms of employment opportunities and to give priority to those who meet the criteria.
Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territory president V. Murugeswaran said the policy was redundant as there was no plan to make it work.
"A majority of the disabled can contribute to nation-building but it’s how the civil service wants to tap into their potential," he said.
“The policy cannot just be a statement for political mileage or for publicity's sake. There’s job promotion from the government sector from time to time but the number of disabled takers are not encouraging.”
Murugeswaran said the disabled community have limitations in their physical movement and hence there was a need to create a barrier-free environment.
“How can a disabled person grab the job opportunity if they’re dependent on someone to get around? The disabled must be able to work independently,” he said, adding that many disabled also faced limited skills and knowledge in securing employment.
Association of Women with Disabilities Malaysia president Bathmavathi Krishnan said the one per cent quota was small but nevertheless a start.
"Having jobs available and having candidates to fill the positions is one thing but how does a disabled person get to work remains another problem," she said.
“Many disabled people are in a fix over transportation, hence everything must be in tandem in making the environment accessible.”
Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled executive director Sia Siew Chin said the one per cent aim has not been fulfilled due to work place unsuitability and lack of qualification from the disabled.
“Most schools do not have accessible facilities for the disabled so the community lose out on getting proper education," she said.
“Instead of applying for jobs, most disabled would rather set up a stall and avoid the hassle of travelling, although those with qualifications can get into the civil service easily.”
Sia also said the Welfare Department, for example, had been more serious in reserving job slots for the disabled
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