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

yunus.yakkub@kosmo.com.my

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.

OKU: Please install aerobridges for us

Related story

OKU desak bina jambatan udara di KLIA2

http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/OKUdesakbinajambatanudaradiKLIA2/Article

Disabled group insists on aerobridge at new KLIA2 terminal

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/8/21/nation/9340124&sec=nation

Disabled community pushes for aerobridges at KLIA2

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/bm/newsgeneral.php?id=609350

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

http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/173660

Govt still aiming for that one per cent

EE ANN NEE

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

Don't dismiss the disabled

THE MALAY MAIL

Friday, July 1st, 2011 11:07:00

I WELCOME Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's recent statement that the private sector must ensure women make up at least 30 per cent of those in decision-making positions within five years.

I believe women with an excellent track record should be given the opportunity to fill high-ranking positions in Government Linked Companies (GLCs).

Although I was happy to hear about it, I wondered what has happened to a similar vision of the government to allocate one per cent of jobs in the public sector for disabled individuals.

The announcement was made years ago and has remained a mere announcement. I have yet to see any campaigns or follow-up plans to achieve this mission.

The minister in charge of advocating the 30 per cent allocation for women in GLCs is also responsible for the one per cent job allocation for the disabled.

The minister should take proactive steps to ensure the ministry comes out with a time frame and plans to enable this to come to fruition.

If given a chance, I believe the disabled community can be a driving force in increasing the productivity of the nation.

V. Murugeswaran
President
Damai Disabled Persons Association (Selangor and Federal Territory)

Extend govt jobs to this group, too

2011/06/30

I REFER to the recent statement by the prime minister that the private sector has five years to ensure that women make up at least 30 per cent of people in decision-making positions.

I support the view that women with excellent track record should be given the opportunity to fill high-ranking positions.

As much as I am happy to hear this, I can't help but wonder what has happened to the government's vision to allocate one per cent of job opportunities to the disabled in the public sector.

That announcement was made years ago. I have yet to see any campaign or follow-up plans to achieve this.

How about a timeline to achieve the one per cent quota?

I hope the ministry concerned will take proactive steps to ensure that job opportunities are also given to the disabled. I hope the minister will set a time frame and work to ensure that the quota is met.

Given a chance, I believe the disabled community will be a driving force in increasing the productivity of the nation.

V. MURUGESWARAN, president,Damai Disabled Persons Association Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Disabled waiting for 1% quota to be filled

Thursday June 30, 2011

I REFER to the recent statement made by the Prime Minister that the private sector has five years to ensure that women make up at least 30% of those in decision-making positions.

I welcome the initiative and support the view that women with excellent records should be given the opportunity to fill high-ranking positions in government-linked companies.

As much as I was happy to hear such a vision, I wonder what has happened to the long-established vision of the Government to allocate 1% of job opportunities to disabled individuals in the public sector.

The announcement was made years ago, and it has remained till today as an announcement. I have yet to see any campaign or follow-up plan to achieve the mission to provide 1% job opportunity for the disabled.

The Government had fixed a timeline of five years to achieve the 30% job allocation for women in GLCs, but how about a timeline for the disabled minority to achieve the 1% quota?

The minister advocating the 30% allocation for women in GLCs is also responsible for the 1% job allocation for disabled vision.

The minister should take proactive steps to ensure the ministry comes out with a time frame and necessary plans to enable the long-advocated vision of having a disabled minority in public service is achieved.

Given a chance, the disabled community in this country will be a driving force in increasing the productivity of the nation.

V. MURUGESWARAN,

President,

Damai Disabled Persons Association Sel & W.P

30% job allocation for women vs 1% for the disabled

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

I refer to the recent statement made by the premier that the private sector has five years to ensure that women make up at least 30% of those in decision-making positions.

I welcome the initiative and support the view women with excellent track record should be given the opportunity to fill in high rank positions in GLCs.

As much as I was happy to hear such vision of the government, I wondered what has happened to the long established vision of the government to allocate 1% job opportunity for disabled individuals in the public sector.

The announcement was made years ago, and it has remained till today as an announcement. I have yet to see any campaign or follow –up plan drawn up to achieve the mission to provide 1% job opportunity for the disable.

I was rather puzzled to hear the news today the government had indeed fixed a dealline of five years to achieve the 30% job allocation for women in GLCs but how about the dealine for disabled minority in achieving the 1% quota?

The minister who is in charge for advocating the 30% allocation for women in GLCs is also responsible for the 1% job allocation for disabled vision.

The minister should take proactive steps to ensure the ministry comes out with a time frame and necessary plans to enable the long advocated vision of having disabled minority in public service are achieved.

If given a chance, I truly believe disabled community in this country will be a driving force in increasing the productivity of the nation.

The writer is v.murugeswaran president of the Damai Disabled Persons Association Selangor & WP

Damai Mobility Van undergoing massive upgrading work to hit the road soon

Rapid Mobility a step in the right direction

A STEP in the right direction, but still just a temporary solution.

Even as disabled rights groups applaud the soon-tobe introduced Rapid Mobility service, some groups have


called for a fully accessible bus system for the disabled in the future.

Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled executive director Sia Siew Chin told The Malay Mail the Rapid Mobility Service, while a good move, cannot replace a total, accessible bus service in the long run.

“The door-to-door van service is a temporary way of fulfilling the needs of disabled people but a barrier-free and
disabled-friendly transport system, such as the advent of low floor buses, would be the ultimate solution.”

Even so, she said the Rapid Mobility service would certainly bring convenience to the disabled in their daily activities. She said places such as Brickfields, USJ and Subang,where trials for the service were being conducted, would benefit from the service as there were many disabled people living there.

This was reiterated by Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territory president V. Murugeswaran.

He stated the service was a good move and indeed pleasant news for the wheelchair community as without
mobility, the disabled would be stranded at home.

“Drivers must be trained to handle disabled passengers,” he said, adding that the local authorities should also play their role by providing universal design bus stops that cater to the needs of the disabled community.

“We have a long way to catch up but I am happy things are changing compared with five years ago.

"We’re not there yet, rather, we’re in this initial stage. The implementation is slow but we are progressing.”

Association of Women with Disabilities Malaysia president Bathmavathi Krishnan said: “The mobility service
will be a vital link from our doorstep to a point where we can board the bus and also connect us from our doorstep to a destination.”

She said Rapid Mobility was a good service and would be more effective than stage buses.

“Comparatively, vans are more practical for wheelchair users as it will link the community to a seamless transport service."

"Yet, wheelchair users were still waiting for disabledfriendly bus services to become more accessible to the community. This would enable them to become a part of this seamless transport service, enabling them to go

about their daily lives like everyone else."

blind walk

JAWAPAN POSITIF DARIPADA BANK SIMPANAN NASIONAL

Encik V.Murugeswaran,

Presiden,

Damai Disabled Persons Association Sel & W.P.

No. 4, Lorong 1A/71J, Jalan Carey,

46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Tuan,

PENYEDIAAN LALUAN UNTUK ORANG KURANG UPAYA DI CAWANGAN BANK SIMPANAN NASIONAL

Merujuk kepada surat tuan bertarikh 31 Mei 2011 lanjutan mesyuarat di antara Persatuan Damai dan Bank Simpanan Nasional yang telah diadakan pada 23 Mei 2011.

Bank Simpanan Nasional sebagai institusi kewangan kerajaan sentiasa prihatin terhadap keperluan pelanggan-pelanggannya termasuk menyediakan kemudahan-kemudahan yang perlu untuk orang ramai melakukan urusan perbankan dalam suasana yang selesa dan selamat.

Untuk makluman tuan, kemudahan laluan untuk golongan OKU berurusan di cawangan-cawangan kami sedang dilakukan secara berperingkat. Buat masa ini kemudahan tersebut telah sedia ada di cawangan Utama Kuala Lumpur.

Pihak Bank juga telah mengenalpasti cawangan Taman Melawati Kuala Lumpur yang akan dinaiktaraf dan dilengkapkan dengan kemudahan bagi golongan OKU pada suku ke 3 tahun ini. Selain itu, cawangan Jalan Dato Pati, Kota Bharu yang akan dinaiktaraf kepada Kiosk BSN juga akan disediakan dengan kemudahan bagi golongan OKU di mana projek ini dijangka siap dan beroperasi sebelum akhir bulan Ogos 2011.

Untuk makluman pihak tuan, buat masa kini BSN akan membuat penambahbaikan pemasangan railing’ di kiri dan kanan ‘ramp’, pemasangan karpet getah khas (sebahagian kawasan ‘ramp’) dari petak kereta ke pintu masuk cawangan dan penyediaan petak kereta bagi OKU bagi cawangan BSN di cawangan Kepong Baru.

Bank Simpanan Nasional menyambut baik cadangan dan pandangan Persatuan Damai dan berharap kerjasama ini akan terus berhasil mewujudkan BSN sebagai salah satu bank yang menyediakan perkhidmatan perbankan yang terbaik kepada semua lapisan masyarakat termasuk golongan kurang upaya.

Sekian, terima kasih.

BANK SIMPANAN NASIONAL

Disabled have it doubly hard

EVERY year, we read of disabled students who have done well in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) but missed out on scholarships from the Public Service Department (PSD).

A possible reason for this could be that there is no special category for disabled students although there exists a category for students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

This is confirmed by PSD director-general Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Abdullah.

"It is a sensitive issue," he says.

Abu Bakar also believes the PSD scholarships cannot continue to be based only on merit because this will not be fair to potential students from the rural areas.

"Most of the students who scored outstanding results in the SPM come from the excellent schools (sekolah cemerlang) which have good facilities, whereas many of the students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds come from regular schools."

Abu Bakar says that there should be more scholarships for this group of students.

Damai Disabled Persons Association president V. Murugeswaran urges the government to look into creating a special category for disabled students in reviewing the policy on PSD scholarships.

He says it is not fair to expect disabled students to pass their examinations with flying colours when they are not competing on a level playing field with students without disabilities.

Murugeswaran says aside from the lack of facilities for the disabled in schools and other places of learning, such as public libraries, disabled students face other obstacles as well.

"If you're wheelchair-bound, you will face problems in getting transportation to school. If you're blind, the only library where you can get 'talking materials' is at the Malaysian Association for the Blind. Even the National Library does not have that facility."

Murugeswaran says the government could also consider lowering the bar for disabled students applying for scholarships.

"There are only a few students with disabilities who can achieve excellent results despite their limitations but for the others, we should still have a way for them to pursue courses with the grades that they have achieved," he says.

Currently, many disabled students may not even bother to apply for a scholarship from the PSD as they know that they do not meet the minimum criteria.

"These students end up going to the Welfare Department and they will be sent to a vocational training centre in Bangi to learn to sew and make handicraft."

Not many private bodies offer scholarships for disabled students either. There is the Shell Centenary Scholarship for Disabled Students but it is open only to disabled students from Sarawak.

"Disability does not prevent students from having the passion to further their studies. The association gets calls from corporations seeking to hire the disabled as receptionists and telephone operators. We shouldn't be limited to these kinds of jobs.

"Unfortunately, it will be hard to go further without a paper qualification. This is where the government should step in to provide the necessary assistance," he says.

The association has to date, obtained funding from generous individuals to enable two disabled students to pursue their studies. 

Recently, it was reported that two disabled students had failed to get scholarships. They will now get to pursue their studies after appealing to the PSD.

One of the students is Teoh Bee Kah, who was born with the nystagmus condition (a form of involuntary eye movement).

The government is being urged to consider lowering the bar for disabled students applying for scholarships.

She was awarded a full scholarship for an 18-month Foundation in Business Studies course at the University of Nottingham's Malaysian campus in Semenyih.

Teoh, who is from Penang, scored 4A+, 3As and 3A- in last year's SPM examination.

MEETING MBSA - TOWARDS SAFE AND OBSTACLE FREE CITY

Damai Association has been elected by Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam ( MBSA ) to sit in their council meeting which will be held every 3 months . 

More positive changers will be introduce by Damai officials to achieve their intention to make Shah Alam to be obstacle free city

DBKL responded positively ( Parking issue in-front of all Maybank in KL resolved )

Condolences from DAMAI to all the people in JAPAN

Our hearts goes out to all the families who had lost their loved ones, their home, their happiness and their life due to this catastrophe. We hope the least casualties and human losses. We are sure that Japan and its ever generous people will be able to stand on its feet soon again.