9th Malaysian Plan

PETALING JAYA: Not handicapped-friendly enough. Some of the handicapped feel the Ninth Malaysian Plan is too general when it comes to addressing their needs.

Eleven organisations of handicapped people held a gathering at the Damai Disabled Peoples’ Association yesterday, reminding the Government that there was "still a lot to do" for the handicapped.

"The Government should concentrate on providing more handicapped-friendly facilities in the public and private sectors, and providing incentives for the handicapped to excel in the job market," said Malaysian Confederation of the Disabled secretary Bathmavathi Krishnan.

She said the Government should also focus on making public transport more handicapped-friendly.

"Public transport does not address the needs of the handicapped much, and many handicapped people find it difficult to travel to their workplaces," she said.

Damai Disabled Peoples’ Association of Selangor president V. Murugeswaran said: "We hope that the Plan, when translated into policies, will address the needs of the handicapped. We all want to contribute effectively to the realisation of Vision 2020."

Beautiful Gate Foundation director Pastor Sia Siew Chin said: "Too often, parking places for the handicapped are taken by the able-bodied motorists. The Government must put a stop to this.

"There should be public education on the rights of the handicapped."