SELANGOR’S local authorities are required to provide amenities for people with disabilities (OKU) under existing laws and guidelines, said state local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim.
He said amendments to the Uniform Building By-laws 1984 (UBBL) under Section 34A stipulate that all new developments must provide basic facilities to ease movement for the disabled.
“All public buildings must have features that allow people with disabilities to enter, exit and remain on the premises.
“For new buildings, local authorities use a compliance checklist based on the MS1184:2014 standard that is mandatory under UBBL 34A(2),” Ng said.
“For existing buildings, compliance is monitored through access audits, technical reviews during applications as well as public complaints,” he said.
Ng was replying to Danial Al-Rashid Haron Aminar Rashid (PH-Batu Tiga) at the Selangor State Assembly sitting in Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor in Shah Alam, who had asked about accessibility planning and reference frameworks used by local authorities.
Ng said several local authorities had already drawn up their own guidelines through the development of Barrier-Free City Action Plans that cover physical infrastructure.
He added that the soon to be launched Selangor OKU Policy, would serve as a reference for all disability-related initiatives across local authorities.
“Developers who fail to comply with accessibility requirements may face legal action, including fines of up to RM50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years, or compound penalties under local council by-laws,” he said.
The policy is expected to emphasise the provision accessible pathways, spaces and premises, especially those under the purview of local authorities.
When asked about the status of the upgrading works at Taman Rakyat Madani, Bandar Melawati, for which the Kuala Selangor Municipal Council had allocated RM1mil for infrastructure work, Ng said the project was 80% completed.
“Work is progressing smoothly and the park is expected to be reopened next January.
“To ensure components are completed perfectly and according to specifications, we have approved an extension of time until Jan 31, 2026,” he said.
The upgrading works began on Aug 11 and was expected to be completed on Dec 1, this year.
At the same session, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari urged the private sector to help expose students to science and technology at an earlier stage.
He said industry partnerships could accelerate Selangor’s efforts to strengthen technical and vocational competencies among school students.
“This is because institutions are able to provide clearer pathways for students to choose fields related to science, technology, as well as technical and vocational studies,” said Amirudin.
He said this in reply to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Sijangkang) who asked about the state’s efforts to boost science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
Amirudin added that the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre would begin outreach to secondary schools next year to identify students with potential in STEM fields.
“Previously, we only waited for them to finish SPM. Now we want to enter secondary schools at the upper secondary levels.
“If possible, we will engage the lower secondary levels as well,” he added.
The Selangor legislative assembly was adjourned sine die.
