OUTRAGED by yet another case of negligence towards the disabled community, over 50 people with disabilities (OKU) and seven non-governmental organisations (NGOs) staged a protest outside Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) headquarters on Wednesday (March 12), demanding urgent action to protect their right to safe and accessible public spaces.
The demonstration was sparked by a recent incident in Brickfields where visually impaired Annbarasi Nyanasekaran, 40, suffered a broken leg after tripping over a trolley left on a pedestrian walkway by a shop for loading and unloading goods.
The impact of her fall left her wheelchair-bound and unable to work.
“This wouldn’t have happened if the walkway was clear. But this is what we deal with every single day in Brickfields,” said Annbarasi, who was walking with her husband, Mahendran Agalingam, 42, who is also visually impaired, when the incident occurred.
Annbarasi’s injury has reignited frustration within the disabled community, who say that public spaces meant for OKU — particularly tactile blocks — have turned into death traps due to a complete lack of enforcement.
Protesters submitted a memorandum to Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, urging City Hall to act against businesses and individuals who illegally obstruct walkways, forcing OKU to risk their safety on dangerous paths.
As the Mayor is overseas, DBKL’s corporate communications department director Norhaslinda Nordin, accepted the memorandum.
Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) chief executive officer Datuk George Thomas did not hide his frustration:
“When will the authorities take the plight of the disabled community seriously? We have raised this issue countless times, and I will say it again — DBKL needs to get its priorities right.
“How do you justify allowing businesses to take over public spaces including tactile blocks, while the safety of the disabled community is ignored?”
George pointed out that Brickfields is riddled with obstructions, making it a minefield for OKU.
“Tactile blocks meant to guide the blind are constantly blocked by roadside stalls, illegally parked vehicles, and eateries that put tables and chairs on public walkways.
“Where is the enforcement? OKU are forced to navigate dangerous paths daily because businesses are allowed to take over walkways with impunity. How many more people need to get hurt before something is done?” he asked.
Independent Living and Training Centre Malaysia president G. Francis Siva stressed that this was not an isolated problem.
“This isn’t just about Brickfields — accessibility for OKU is a nationwide issue. Everywhere we go, we face obstacles — tactile blocks blocked by parked cars, stalls encroaching on walkways, and illegal structures forcing us onto the road, putting our lives at risk,’’ said the 65-year-old quadriplegic.
“DBKL and other local councils must stop turning a blind eye and start enforcing laws that are meant to protect us. Why are businesses allowed to take over public spaces without consequences while the disabled community is treated as an afterthought?
“We are not asking for special treatment. We are demanding our rights — the right to move safely and independently in our own city. How many more of us need to be injured before action is taken?” said Hemavathi Muniandy, a wheel-chair user.
MAB senior executive for accessibility and advocacy, Siti Huraizah Ruslan, stressed that DBKL must take enforcement seriously while the public, including businesses, must do their part to ensure tactile blocks and pedestrian walkways remain unobstructed.
“There are over 380 visually impaired people working in Brickfields. Their safety is just as important. Think about them.
"For those loading and unloading goods for their businesses, be mindful that visually impaired individuals rely on these walkways. We all have a role to play in making public spaces safe and accessible,” she said.
Meanwhile, Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman and Crime Prevention Foundation committee member SKK Naidu called on the police to retrieve CCTV footage from the scene of the accident to determine exactly what happened.
“Right now, we have a visually impaired woman who is in a wheelchair and unable to earn a living. We know that it happened on Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, in front of a commercial building. The authorities must investigate,” he said, adding that there must be accountability.
