PETALING JAYA: The RM441mil allocation in the 2014 Budget for the welfare and development of people with disabilities (PWDs) raised more questions than answers in the minds of PWD advocacy groups.
"I am unsure how this funding will be allocated. Previously funding was given to the Women's Ministry which started a program called Karisma and they used the money for charity handouts. RM 441mil is quite a huge sum," said Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territory president V. Murugeswaran.
Murugeswaran, who spoke to The Star Online on Monday, added that the money should be spent on addressing the root causes of problems that were keeping PWDs from leading independent lives.
"The Prime Minister said that 33 new schools would be built and all schools would be upgraded. My call is that these schools also consider PWDs," said Murugeswaran.
He said many PWDs could not get meaningful employment as they lacked basic education qualifications because they could not gain entry into the mainstream school system.
"I urge the government to use this opportunity to make schools fully accessible so that PWDs can get a full education from Year 1 up to university," said Murugeswaran.
He added employment was another point of concern for PWDs, pointing out the public and private sector had a quota system where 1% of job openings had to be given to PWDs.
"In order for this quota to be achieved, they have to look into accessible building infrastructures and public transport infrastructures such as accessible pavements, bus stops and other public facilities," said Murugeswaran.
He added that an integrated, accessible public transport system should be drawn up by the government.
On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said RM441mil would be allocated for the development and welfare of PWDs.
"We recognise that everyone is special and we are all perfect in the eyes of God. In relation to this, the contribution of PWDs is highly appreciated," said Najib in his budget speech.
Selangor and Federal Territory Association For The Mentally Handicapped general manager T. Kamaraj questioned whether non-governmental organisations (NGOs) would be included as recipients of the allocation.
"Usually these funds will go to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. Does this allocation include the NGOs that are providing a variety of services for PWDs. We are unsure if the money will also support the relevant NGOs," said Kamaraj.
He said he wanted to know if grants to the relevant NGOs would be increased.
"Will 50% of the RM441mil go to government bodies with the rest to NGOs? There are NGOs all over the country complementing the work the government does to help and serve PWDs," said Kanaraj.
Kanaraj also questioned whether grants for NGOs would be increased with the new allocation.
He said currently, a working PWD earning less than RM1,200 would be eligible for a RM 300 allowance from the government.
"We expected an increase in Budget 2014 to RM500 considering the increase in the cost of living, but there was no mention of this," said Kanaraj.
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