Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Disabled seek representation in councils to ensure their needs are met

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/03/11/Give-us-a-voice-Disabled-seek-representation-in-councils-to-ensure-their-needs-are-met/

Published: Tuesday March 11, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM
BY YIP YOKE TENG

No connectivity: Even though many public buses are disabled-friendly, most bus stops and bus stations are not and wheelchair-bound persons still cannot move around the city freely.

THE disabled community wants a direct voice in the local government, to ensure their needs are properly addressed.

Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia (DDPAM) president V. Murugeswaran suggested appointing a councillor from the disabled community to every local council.

Several other NGOs for the disabled concurred, saying they were attempting to meet Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to highlight their plight and hand over a memorandum.

“There are 288 councillors sitting in the 12 local authorities in Selangor, and there is only one representative from the disabled community at the moment.

“In 2008, there were three, but now only one is left,” said Murugeswaran.

“Having a disabled representative in every council can help ensure the needs of the community are taken into consideration during the town-planning process.

“It will also ensure that the implementation of any plan will be practical and meet the needs of the disabled,” he added.

Admittedly as awareness of issues facing the disabled increases, local councils in Selangor have been installing more disabled-friendly facilities.

Unfortunately, in reality, these facilities do not benefit the disabled community much.

For example, the Jalan Othman bus station in Petaling Jaya is frequented by disabled-friendly public buses. However, wheelchair-bound commuters cannot board the buses because the platforms are too high and do not have ramps. They are then forced to wait in an area designated for vehicles, which is dangerous.

Ill-equipped: The platforms in the Jalan Othman bus station are not equipped with a ramp. Given the high traffic in the vicinity, making waiting for buses outside the platform dangerous.

Another example is the busy SS15 Subang Jaya commercial area, which has several parking bays for the disabled but without ramps nearby to provide the disabled access to the shops.

Broken tiles, missing drain covers and poles built along tactile paths are other common examples of the difficulty faced by the disabled community in urban areas.

Despite good intentions on the part of the councils to create a barrier-free environment, poor implementation is still hampering these efforts.

“The connectivity is still not there,” said Murugeswaran, who showed StarMetro some of the inconveniences faced by the disabled every day.

DDPAM was set up in 1998 and currently has 250 members.

According to Murugeswaran, many frequently-visited places such as banks, clinics and restaurants were not disabled-friendly.

Murugeswaran feels that more should be done.

He said that even with the Uniform Building (Amendment) By-Law 1991, which has been adopted in Selangor, many buildings still failed to conform to the requirements mentioned in MS (Malaysian Standard) 1331 and MS1184 of the by-law including those in new townships.

“We need to have a stronger voice for bigger impact. If this is not done now, we do not know when it will happen,” he added.

Society of Chinese Disabled Persons Malaysia (SCDPM) president Tan Lay Har acknowledged that there had been some improvements over the past few years, but the community hoped to see more.

She said that while there were laws protecting the disabled, including the Persons with Disability Act 2008 and the Uniform Building (Amendment) By-Law 1991, they still had no avenue to raise their grievances if standards outlined in these laws were violated.

“At the end of the day, it is necessary to have a masterplan that automatically takes into account the rights of the disabled,” she said.

SCDPM accessiblity committee chairman Christine Lee said having a councillor representing them in every council would be a good move, but that was not the only answer.

“The council’s planning and budget units are other areas which should consider the disabled.

“We hope the appointment of the disabled councillor can be done through consultation with the relevant NGOs.

“We need complete connectivity so that we can move around the city like everybody else. This is not the situation now.

“When we brought it up 20 to 30 years ago, people said we were being idealistic. They are still saying the same thing today.

“How many more decades do we have to wait for a barrier-free society?” she asked.

The call for representation from the disabled community has been welcomed by other groups.

Friends of Kota Damansara chairman Jeffrey Phang said he supported the move as matters concerning the community would be addressed in a more practical manner, and with greater sense of urgency.

However, he said the councillor representing the disabled community must be selected based on merit, and those who did not perform should be replaced.

“There must be better transparency in the selection of councillors from NGOs, who are supposed to make up 25% of the total.

“Currently, the 25% has not been reached and many councillors appointed under the quota seem to be from political NGOs,” he said.

Damansara Jaya Residents and Owners Association (DJROA) chairman Datuk Yew Cheng Hoe also welcomed the proposal as it could help ensure that the community, which constitutes a large segment of society, was well represented.

Petaling Jaya Utara MCA division chairman Tan Gim Tuan said facilities provided for the disabled in Selangor were “far from satisfactory,” therefore it would be a wise move to include a disabled person in every council to have their interests protected.

“This will be a good move. The Selangor government should maintain the 25% quota for NGOs at all times.

“Also, do not forget that they have called for councillors to be elected by the people. I hope they can fulfil that promise in the near future,” said Tan.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

OKU kesal lot parkir untuk OKU dibatalkan

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/02/28/oku-kesal-lot-parkir-untuk-oku-dibatalkan/

FMT Staff

| February 28, 2014

Beliau tidak dibenarkan untuk menggunakan tempat letak kereta tersebut yang telah digunakan selama tujuh tahun

PETALING JAYA: Seorang OKU, Murugeswaran Veerasamy kesal dengan sikap pemaju Apartment Seri Galaksi, Subang Bestari yang membatalkan lot parkir kereta untuk orang OKU pada 23 Februari lalu.

Beliau yang telah membeli apartment itu sejak 30 September 2004 sebelum ini telah diberi lot parkir kereta OKU yang disediakan oleh pihak apartment sebantak dua lot memandangkan apartment itu ada dua blok sahaja.

“Sejak saya pindah masuk ke apartment tesebut, sekitar bulan Julai 2007, saya telah dan sedang menggunakan tempat letak kereta OKU yang telah disediakan oleh pemaju, memandangkan tempat letak kereta yang saya beli untuk unit saya (lokasinya yang telah ditetapkan oleh pemaju) adalah tempat letak kereta biasa yang tidak sesuai bagi saya yang menggunakan kerusi roda,” katanya kepada FMT.

Namun demikian, katanya, pada 23 Februari lalu, di dalam satu mesyuarat yang diadakan oleh pihak “Joint Management Committee” (“JMB”) yang dihadiri oleh wakil daripada pemaju dan penghuni-penghuni apartment tersebut, mereka dimaklumkan bahawa, memandangkan hakmilik strata bagi aparment tersebut telah dikeluarkan, pihak Pejabat Tanah, JUPEM, Pemaju dan JMB telah menbuat beberapa pindaan mengenai lokasi tempat letak kereta bagi penghuni-penghuni Apartment tersebut.

“Saya terkilan, apabila dimaklumkan bahawa, tempat letak kereta OKU yang saya sedang gunakan pada masa kini, telah pun menjadi milik salah seoarang penghuni apartment tersebut dan saya tidak dibenarkan untuk menggunakan tempat letak kereta tersebut mulai 23 Februari lalu yang mana saya telah gunakan parking untuk OKU itu selama tujuh tahun,” katanya.

Murugeswaran berkata beliau telah meminta, wakil pemaju menyediakan tempat letak kereta OKU yang baru bagi menggantikan tempat letak kereta OKU yang beliau sedang guna kini.

Menurut wakil pemaju, tambahnya lagi, mereka belum menyediakan tempat kereta OKU yang baru dan meminta beliau untuk menggunakan satu tempat letak kereta lain untuk sementara waktu.

“Namun begitu tempat letak kereta OKU sementara tersebut tidak mematuhi spesifikasi yang termaktub dibawah Malaysian Standard Practice<” dakwanya.

Katanya, keluasan tempat letak kereta OKU sementara itu adalah sama dengan tempat letak kereta yang biasa, ianya mustahil baginya menggunakan tempat letak kereta sementara tersebut memandangkan beliau tidak boleh masuk ke dalam kenderaannya mahupun keluar daripada kenderaan melainkan terdapat orang lain membantu mengeluarkan dan memarkirkan kereta beliau setiap kali beliau ingin keluar daripada apartment tersebut.

“Saya amat terkilan dengan tindakan pihak pemaju dan JMB yang kini mengatakan bahawa mereka tidak boleh mengambil sebarang tindakan memandangkan ianya adalah arahan Pejabat Tanah dan pihak JUPEM,” katanya lagi.

Justru itu, beliau memohon pihak berkenaan dapat mengambil tindakan sewajarnya dan menyediakan tempat letak kereta OKU di apartment tersebut sebelum bertindak untuk menukar status tempat letak OKU kini sebagai tempat letak kereta milik penghuni.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Selangor Ready to Approve the Sri Subramaniar Temple Cable Car Project

http://en.selangorku.com/11475/selangor-ready-to-approve-the-sri-subramaniar-temple-cable-car-project/

BATU CAVES, 17 Jan: the Selangor Government is ready to give approval for the cable car construction project near the Sri Sburamaniar Temple if it meets all safety requirements prescribed.

The Chief Minister of Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said that the approval is being considered because Batu Caves is famous for building houses of worship for the Indian community, in addition to being a tourist attraction, especially those from abroad.

He said that the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) has been studying the construction site to ensure that the project runs smoothly because it is a limestone area.

“The study conducted by experts show that it is in good condition. We will give approval to build it.

“However, I ask the temple committee to attend a briefing to look at the land situation here. We have records of up to 10 metres below the surface,” he said in front of 7,000 Hindus in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration yesterday.

Also present was the Chairman of the Sri Mariamar Temple, Tan Sri Nadaraja; Selangor Executive Councillor V Ganabatira; the Member of Parliament for Gombak, Azmin Ali; the Member of Parliament for Selayang, William Leong; the Assemblyman for Batu Caves, Amirudin Shari and the Assemblywoman for Rawang, Gan Peo Nei.

Abdul Khalid said that a group of experts have been sent to Hong Kong to study the appropriate design for the cable cars with the best safety features.

He said that the project should be built properly because it does not only reflect Selangor’s image, but also the image of Malaysia.

“If the temple (committee) is not satisfied with this, they can discuss with the state government and MPS.

“We are showing that Selangor’s administration is very professional. We can show that what is important is that those constricting buildings must follow the rules.

“We believe that the development in this area will be improved for the better,” he said.

Abdul Khalid also informed that Selangor will announce the state development plan for the next two years with an allocation of RM1 billion in February.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Batu Caves not being fair to the disabled devotees

Posted: 4:13 pm, January 16, 2014 by editor

http://www.themalaysiantimes.com.my/batu-caves-not-being-fair-to-the-disabled-devotees/

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16: The disabled Hindu devotees are saddened as they will not be able to fulfil their vows on Thaipusam, which will be celebrated by the ethnics on Friday.

Damai Disabled Persons Association president V. Murugeswaran, in a statement said that it was due to the Batu Caves Murugan temple not being disabled-friendly.

“Most of the devotees have, at this point of time, fulfilled their vows.

“But a disabled devotee like me, and others with similar predicaments are not able to participate due to the lack of suitable facilities at Batu Caves,” he said.

Murugeswaran said that the disabled communities, especially the association members, have for the past 10 years advocated the need to have a cable car service there to cater to disabled devotees.

“It will not only benefit the physically challenged, but also senior citizens.

“In earlier years, we had urged the temple management to revive the cable car service.

Several years later, he said, the temple management made an announcement to revive it.

“I was delighted,” Murugeswaran said.

However, its construction was halted as the Selayang Municipal Council had issued a stop-work order for alleged failure of the temple management to obtain relevant approval before commencing work, said Murugeswaran.

“I sincerely hope all parties involved will set aside their differences and concentrate on completing the cable car project.

He said that the disabled Hindu community in this country had waited too long for an opportunity to fulfil their vows and seek Lord Murugan’s blessing during Thaipusam and also during normal days.

“It is the temple management’s responsibility to find a positive resolution with the council to ensure the project is completed without further delay.

“I hope next year I will be able to write about my experience of participating in this auspicious religious celebration and the closure for having fulfilled my vows,” Murugeswaran said. – TMT

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

THE DISABLED: Make Batu Caves friendly to all

http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/the-disabled-make-batu-caves-friendly-to-all-1.462512?cache=iyuuqseiz%2F7.320411%2F7.320411

THAIPUSAM is less than two days away. Most of the devotees have, at this point of time, fulfilled their vows.

But a disabled devotee like me, and others with similar predicaments are not able to participate due to the lack of suitable facilities at Batu Caves. The place is not disabled-friendly.

The disabled communities, especially Damai Disabled Persons Association members, have for the past 10 years advocated the need to have a cable car service there to cater to disabled devotees.

It will not only benefit the physically challenged, but also senior citizens.

In earlier years, we had urged the temple management to revive the cable car service.

Several years later, the temple management made an announcement to revive it.

I was delighted.

Sometime last year, its construction was halted as the Selayang Municipal Council had issued a stop-work order for alleged failure of the temple management to obtain relevant approval before commencing work.

I sincerely hope all parties involved will set aside their differences and concentrate on completing the cable car project.

The disabled Hindu community in this country had waited long enough for an opportunity to fulfill their vows and seek Lord Murugan's blessing during Thaipusam or any other day.

It is the temple management's responsibility to find a positive resolution with the council to ensure the project is completed without further delay.

I hope next year I will be able to write about my experience of participating in this auspicious religious celebration and the closure for having fulfilled my vows.

Revive cable car project at Batu Caves

Published: Wednesday January 15, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM

http://www.thestar.com.my/Opinion/Letters/2014/01/15/Revive-cable-car-project-at-Batu-Caves/

THAIPUSAM celebration is just around the corner. For a disabled devotee like me and many others, Thaipusam looks bleak as we cannot fully take part in the religious festival due to the lack of disabled facilities in Batu Caves.

The disabled group, especially Damai Disabled Persons Association members, have for the past 10 years been advocating the need for cable car services in Batu Caves, mainly to cater for disabled devotees.

The said project not only will benefit the physically challenged devotees but also senior citizens, yet I have not seen any changes.

Several years ago, we appealed to the temple management to revive the cable car services.

A few years later, the temple management made an announcement about reviving the cable service. I was delighted when the announcement was made. In fact, I personally have made many trips to Batu Caves just to oversee the progress of the cable car construction.

Sometime last year, the construction of the cable car was halted as the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) issued a stop work order on the cable car project for the alleged failure of the temple management to obtain relevant approval before commencing the construction work.

Thereafter, we have not heard any progress on this matter, be it from MPs or the temple management. I sincerely hope that all parties involved in the said issue will put their differences behind them and concentrate on completing the cable car project.

The disabled Hindu community in this country had waited long enough for a lifetime opportunity to fulfil their vows and seek Lord Muruga’s blessing during Thaipusam or any other day.

It is the temple management’s responsibility to find a positive resolution with MPS to ensure that the cable car project is completed without further delay.

I hope that next year, I will be able to write about my experience participating in this auspicious religious celebration and the closure of having fulfilled my vows.

V. MURUGESWARAN

President

Damai Disabled Persons Association