Sustainable transport for disabled folk needed

KUALA LUMPUR: Any public transportation system for the disabled should be sustainable, said Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She cited how the public transportation system in Hong Kong allowed the disabled to travel with ease and without charge.

She said the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled had proposed a pilot public transportation project in Klang Valley for the disabled.

However, the Government wanted such a project to be sustainable, she said.

“We need the community to come out and propose because they know best what their needs are,” she told reporters after giving away Christmas presents to 41 disabled people under the MCA's Project Care Gift of Life programme.

Dr Ng urged the disabled to register with the Welfare Department in their respective states so that the Government could allocate funds accordingly.

“If you don’t register with us, we don’t know how to plan the budget that includes the disabled,” said Dr Ng, who is Deputy Finance Minister.

Wanita MCA helped raise funds for the Gift of Life programme to purchase nine motorised wheelchairs, 12 three-wheel motorcycles and 20 medical cushions worth RM168,000.

The sponsors included Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Bhd, Metrojaya Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Pavilion Sdn Bhd, Malaysian Charity Draw, Oriental Group of Restaurants and Tanjung Balai Quarry Sdn Bhd.

Dr Ng also witnessed the presentation of a cheque of RM10,000 from Malaysian Charity Draw to Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd.

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/15/nation/16323729&sec=nation