GEDONG, May 21: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) Gedong branch calls on the new government to give people with special needs “half rate fare”.
This half rate fare, suggested by Annuar Putit of PBDSB Gedong should include areas such as public transportation, aviation fares, telecommunication rates, water and electricity rates and special housing schemes.
“These are the rights of people with special needs and these rights should be re-instated,” said Annuar in a press statement yesterday.
He hoped with Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail becoming the new Women and Family Development Minister, the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 will be enforced.
He also believed that all allowances for people with special needs should be increased, from the present RM350 to RM800. Child aid for people with special needs should also be increased from the present RM200 each to RM600 until these children have reached the age of 18.
He further stated that grants for entrepreneur training should increase from RM5,000 to RM50,000 while single parent allowance should be set at RM800.
“In terms of giving job opportunities in both public and private sectors to those with specail needs, the government should increase the percentage from one per cent to two per cent as many of us are qualified but are not given the opportunity,” said Annuar.
He said terms such as “disabled” or “persons with disabilities” should be replaced by a more friendly term such as “people with special needs”.
“In Europe they are called ‘persons with special needs’. Some of them have proven that they can perform better than those who have no disabilities and are able to support their families,” said Annuar.
Meanwhile, he said presently, supermarkets and other business establishments have started to provide help for families of people with special needs, showing a general increase in awareness of the needs of special people. — DayakDaily
