http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/disabled-cry-foul-over-difficulties-in-claiming-gst-relief-on-equipment

Disabled cry foul over difficulties in claiming GST relief on equipment

BY YASMIN RAMLAN

Published: 17 May 2015 12:44 PM

A disabled person must produce a certificate signed by the head of a private charity organisation registered with the Social Welfare Department to obtain GST relief for OKU tools and equipment. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, May 17, 2015.The process to claim goods and services tax (GST) relief for tools and equipment for people with disabilities (OKU) is complicated and a burden to them, said Damai Disabled Persons Association of Malaysia.

Its president, V. Murugeswaran, said the process, which required a disabled person to produce a certificate signed by the head of a private charity organisation registered with the Social Welfare Department, only compounded the difficulties faced by the OKU.

"This is a burdensome process. They (the government) have to understand, if an OKU does not have his own transport, he is forced to ask for help and people at times do not help out," he said.

Murugeswaran, with both legs disabled, said because of the complicated procedure, the OKU have no choice but to pay market prices for equipment.

"It is easier to pay the GST than go through such a difficult process to get the relief, because the process itself will make us fork out more in terms of transport costs," he told The Malaysian Insider.

Among the items granted GST relief were artificial limbs, wheelchairs, electrically or mechanically adjustable beds designed for the physically disabled, Braille embossers, text telephones for the speech impaired, whistling cups and white canes for the visually impaired, specialised footwear and hearing and low-vision aids.

Additionally, Murugeswaran said GST relief was granted for tools and equipment which could be used for the long term but did not ease the burden of those who were low-income earners. 

"I am an OKU who uses a wheelchair and if I buy it today, maybe I can use it for life if I take care of it.

"The GST relief is only for items such as these, what about OKU's daily necessities that are not given exemptions? For example, OKU with spinal injuries need adult diapers as they have lost their ability to control their urinating and bowel movements.

"So I want to ask, are these items exempted from GST?"

He also said the RM300 monthly allocated by Putrajaya to the low-income OKU could be considered to be “taken back” by the government after daily necessities were taxed under GST.

"Most of the OKU are from the lower-income group. The government is rich, but OKU like us are poor. 

“The Customs Department should not remain silent until OKU protest.

"They should meet up with the OKU regularly. Just issuing media statements will not solve the problem.”

Pusat Jagaan OKU Nur manager Normah Adlan said the procedure required to claim the tax relief was a hassle.

She said the procedure was difficult and would cause OKU or their minders to give up trying to get the relief.

"We are disappointed with the various procedures. We have to apply repeatedly to get what we want and the Welfare Department will ask us to wait for the answer to the status of our application.”

Citing the purchase of wheelchairs as an example, Normah said they had to go through a troublesome procedure to enjoy 50% off the market price under the GST system.

"In the end, I went and brought the wheelchairs for them at market price," she said, referring to the residents at her privately run home for the elderly and disabled, adding that the cheapest wheelchair cost about RM600.

She said such a process was an additional burden to the minders of OKU.

"We are looking after them, it is not easy to carry them and send them to the hospital or other places. 

“Not only OKU are burdened, even the non-OKU are burdened as well," said Normah, adding that 90% of the 50 people in her home were OKU.

Customs Department GST director Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy said recently all tools and equipment for people with disabilities have been granted relief from GST.

However, he said to be eligible for the GST relief, the OKU must produce a certificate signed by the head of a private charity organisation registered with the Social Welfare Department, even though they already had their OKU cards.

Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sae Han said many OKU were unclear over the GST exemptions for items meant for the group. 

He also questioned the procedures which he described as burdensome. – May 17, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/disabled-cry-foul-over-difficulties-in-claiming-gst-relief-on-equipment#sthash.yG0obg6C.dpuf

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/oku-berdepan-proses-leceh-dan-rumit-dapat-pelepasan-gst-kata-persatuan

OKU berdepan proses ‘leceh’ dan rumit dapat pelepasan GST, kata persatuan

OLEH YASMIN RAMLAN

Published: 17 May 2015 1:05 PM

Proses bagi membolehkan golongan OKU dikecualikan cukai barang dan perkhidmatan mengambil masa yang lama dan rumit. – Gambar The Malaysian Insider, 17 Mei, 2015.Proses bagi membolehkan golongan orang kurang upaya (OKU) dikecualikan cukai barang dan perkhidmatan (GST) bagi peralatan dan kelengkapan mereka dianggap sesuatu yang rumit dan membebankan, menurut Persatuan Damai OKU Malaysia.

Presidennya, V. Murugeswaran, berkata proses yang memerlukan golongan OKU mengemukakan sijil perakuan ditandatangani ketua organisasi pertubuhan amal swasta, yang mesti berdaftar dengan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM), memakan masa yang lama untuk diproses, dan membebankan mereka ekoran keadaan fizikal mereka.

"Ini memang satu proses yang menyusahkan. Mereka (kerajaan) kena faham. OKU ini juga tengok keadaan, kalau dia tak ada pengangkutan sendiri, dia terpaksa meminta bantuan orang, dan kadang-kadang orang pun bukan selalu nak tolong," katanya.

Murugeswaran yang lumpuh kedua-dua belah kaki berkata, disebabkan kerumitan prosedur tersebut, golongan OKU terpaksa memilih membayar dengan harga biasa di pasaran.

"Perkara seperti ini, kalau kita menyusahkan orang lain semata-mata untuk mendapatkan kelepasan itu, lebih baik kami bayar GST daripada melalui proses yang begitu susah untuk mendapatkannya.

"Sebab, proses itu sendiri akan membuatkan kami membayar lebih dari segi kos pengangkutan," katanya kepada The Malaysian Insider.

Beliau berkata, peralatan dan kelengkapan yang diberikan pengecualian cukai itu merupakan barangan yang boleh digunakan pada jangka masa yang lama dan tidak banyak meringankan beban mereka yang berpendapatan rendah.

"Saya seorang OKU yang menggunakan kerusi roda. Jika saya belinya hari ini, mungkin boleh guna sepanjang umur kalau saya jaganya dengan baik.

"GST ini pelepasannya barang-barang seperti ini saja. Bagaimana dengan kegunaan harian OKU yang tidak dikecualikan?

"Seperti barang-barang OKU yang mengalami kecederaan spinal, mereka memerlukan lampin untuk kegunaan harian kerana mereka mengalami hilang daya untuk buang air kecil dan air besar.

"Jadi barang-barang ini mereka perlu beli pada setiap bulan. Jadi saya nak tanya adakah barang-barang ini dikecualikan daripada GST?" soalnya.

Pada masa sama, Murugeswaran berkata, kerajaan memperuntukkan RM300 setiap bulan kepada golongan OKU berpendapatan rendah, namun sekiranya barang harian lain tetap dikenakan GST, wang itu seolah-olah diambil semula kerajaan.

"Banyak keperluan asas untuk golongan OKU ini belum capai di tahap yang memuaskan.

"OKU ini bukan golongan kategori yang berpendapatan tinggi tapi rakyat berpendapatan paling rendah.

"Kerajaan kaya tetapi OKU macam kami ini miskin. Saya nak minta Jabatan Kastam jangan berdiam diri sampai OKU ini merana, baru nak tolong.

"Saya nak mereka buat perjumpaan dengan OKU lebih kerap. Dengan memberi kenyataan media sahaja tidak menyelesaikan masalah," katanya.

Keluhan sama dibuat pengurus Pusat Jagaan OKU Nur di Kuala Lumpur, Normah Adlan, yang merasakan prosedur yang ditetapkan kastam itu akan memakan masa panjang.

Normah berkata prosedur tersebut menyusahkan dan membuatkan golongan OKU atau penjaga berputus asa untuk meneruskan permohonan bagi mendapatkan potongan separuh harga bagi kerusi roda untuk penduduk di rumah jagaannya.

"Pelbagai prosedur yang ditetapkan membuatkan kami putus asa. Kena mohon banyak kali baru dapat dan pihak JKM (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat) akan meminta kami tunggu untuk jawapan status permohonan," kata Normah.

Beliau memberi contoh pembelian kerusi roda, yang terpaksa melalui prosedur yang "leceh" bagi mendapatkan separuh harga.

"Akhirnya saya belikan terus untuk mereka (warga OKU di pusat jagaannya)," katanya, yang berkata kerusi roda paling murah berharga RM600.

Katanya, pelbagai proses demikian turut membebankan penjaga golongan OKU.

"Kita yang menjaga dia, rasa susah juga sebab kena angkat mereka, kena hantar mereka pergi hospital, sana sini dan lain-lain.

"Bukan golongan OKU sahaja susah tapi orang bukan OKU pun susah," kata Normah, yang berkata 90% daripada 50 orang di pusat jagaannya merupakan golongan OKU.

Isnin lalu, Pengarah GST Jabatan Kastam, Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy mengumumkan pelepasan cukai itu dan menjelaskan walaupun golongan OKU mempunyai kad OKU yang sah, mereka masih perlu mendapatkan sijil perakuan ditandatangani ketua organisasi yang berkaitan.

Menurut perintah itu, barangan yang diberikan pengecualian cukai adalah anggota badan tiruan, kerusi roda, tempat tidur elektrik atau penyesuian mekanikal yang direka untuk yang kurang upaya daripada segi fizikal dan bahan Braille.

Antara keperluan lain ialah teks telefon untuk orang cacat pertuturan, cawan khas dan tongkat putih untuk cacat penglihatan, kasut khusus dan alat bantuan pendengaran dan penglihatan.

Namun pada Khamis, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Kinrara, Ng Sze Han berkata, ramai golongan OKU yang tidak jelas barangan yang dikecualikan dan diberi pelepasan GST.

Ng juga mempertikaikan prosedur kastam itu dan menganggap ia sesuatu yang membebankan mereka.

"Kenapa proses itu merumitkan? Ramai lagi individu kurang upaya yang bukan daripada ahli organisasi OKU yang berdaftar dengan JKM, terutamanya mereka yang berada di kawasan pendalaman."

Beliau berkata, pihak kastam tidak boleh mengharapkan individu yang mempunyai kesukaran bergerak boleh pergi ke sesuatu tempat, semata-mata bagi mendapatkan pengesahan dokumen. – 17 Mei, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/oku-berdepan-proses-leceh-dan-rumit-dapat-pelepasan-gst-kata-persatuan#sthash.8vmgYG7R.dpuf

LONG WAY TO GO FOR THE DISABLED

TV Program Astro Vaanavil 9am Vizhuthugal V Murugeswaran & Radakrishnan ...

Tv Program Bernama Tv 09 30am Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia...

Park'N'Ride facility launche

Community

Published: Monday January 5, 2015 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Monday January 5, 2015 MYT 7:24:56 AM

BY VINCENT TAN

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2015/01/05/Park-N-Ride-facility-launched/

A drawback: Siah (front) and other disabled persons trying out the wheelchair ramp at the facility. The Park’N’Ride facility has 12 disabled parking spaces, but there is no direct easy-access ramps to the station.

THE first Park’N’Ride facility in Petaling Jaya, located next to the Asia Jaya Light Rail Transit (LRT) station, was launched on New Year’s Eve by outgoing mayor Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad in one of her last acts in office.

Located on the vacant Tenaga Nasional Bhd reserve land under the electric pylons, the Asia Jaya facility is one of five such “Park’N’Ride” projects by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) for LRT stations in the city.

Other Park’N’Ride facilities will be located in Taman Paramount, Taman Bahagia, Kelana Jaya and Taman Jaya LRT stations, providing a total of 2,467 parking bays and covering an area of more than 25.57ha.

The newly launched Asia Jaya facility, according to MBPJ, has 576 bays, including 12 reserved for disabled-driver vehicles and measures a total of 4.25ha.

According to information released by MBPJ’s Public Relations Department, the total cost of the whole Park’N’Ride project is RM3.068mil with the project’s funds sourced from development charges levied on landowners and developers when applying for council planning approval.

Urban Planning Department personnel said the next site at Taman Paramount was in progress.

The Park’N’Ride facilities themselves are simple as contractors will first level the soil before laying tar premix and tiles for the parking bays.

Taman Jaya’s facility also had input from the Landscape Department, with additions such as a gazebo, covered walkways leading into Section 14, as well as wheelchair ramps leading to the LRT station.

Some of the disabled delegates at the launch, including Damai Disabled Persons Association of Malaysia vice-president M. Manoharan and city councillor Siah Siew Chin, said that although spaces had been reserved for disabled persons, however the facility was not disabled-friendly enough.

“The spaces are there, but the wheelchair ramp lacks guide rails, and it is quite a long way down to the station with no shelter in case of rain,” said Siah and Manoharan.

They added that they would write to the council to highlight these drawbacks.

Urban Planning director Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali acknowledged that some parts of the facility were incomplete, and the council, along with Siah and other interested parties, would conduct an audit on the facility’s accessibility for disabled persons soon.

Damai 16th Annual general Meeting held at Mandarin Oriental Hotel KL on 30th November 2014

Hello Malaysia Bernama TV talk show

#‎HelloMalaysia‬ 's next episode on Sustainable Development - The Promise of Technology with  guest Mr. Murugeswaran, President of DAMAI and Committee member David Cherion in conjunction with International Disabled Day which falls on 3rd Dec 2014 

Damai Disabled Person Association Activity Corporate Video

HARI PELANCARAN BANDAR & HABITAT SEDUNIA DI BERJAYA TIMES SQUARE BERSAMA Bahagian Rancangan Fizikal Negara JPBD Semenanjung Malaysia

JURNAL BERITA : NGO Minta Selangor Lebih Cakna Hal Ehwal OKU

BERITA SELANGOR
3 OCTOBER 2014 - 9:00 AM
http://bm.selangorku.com/59920/ngo-minta-selangor-lebih-cakna-hal-ehwal-oku/

NGO Minta Selangor Lebih Cakna Hal Ehwal OKU

Oleh Naeem Raffi

SHAH ALAM, 3 OKT : Pentadbiran baharu Kerajaan Negeri yang diterajui Datuk Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali diharap lebih cakna kepada keperluan Orang Kelainan Upaya (OKU) agar golongan istimewa itu turut menikmati kehidupan yang lebih selesa.

Presiden Persatuan Damai Orang Kurang Upaya Malaysia, V. Murugeswaran turut berharap Kerajaan Negeri berusaha ke arah penyamaan peluang-peluang untuk golongan itu.

Justeru pihaknya mencadangkan usaha itu dimulakan dengan meletakan wakil OKU di 12 Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan.

“Ini adalah sangat penting, memandangkan hanya dengan adanya representasi daripada golongan OKU, kerajaan Selangor dapat memastikan segala keperluan dan kemudahan bagi golongan itu dapat dipenuhi,” jelasnya kepada Selangor Kini.

Selain itu, beliau mencadangkan satu Jawatankuasa Akses Audit diwujudkan dibawah pantau langsung oleh Menteri Besar bagi memastikan Selangor dapat menjadi negeri mesra OKU meliputi kemudahan awam, perumahan, infrastruktur , pengangkutan dan lain-lain.

HM

Damai Student's Convocation Photo's on the 20th September 2014