KUALA LUMPUR: The government should consider changing the date of Malaysia Batik Day from Dec 3 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) is also celebrated on that date, says Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi (pic).
The OKU Sentral president, who represents PwDs in the Senate, said the community wanted the government to pay attention and take into account the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is celebrated each year around the world on Dec 3.
"Perhaps we forgot that according to the WHO (World Health Organisation), 15% of the population of a country comprises PwD.
"Persons with disabilities also have the right to vote and elect the government. We are 4.8 million of the Malaysian Family,” she said when debating the 2022 Supply Bill in the Dewan Negara here Tuesday (Dec 14).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had declared Dec 3 as the annual Malaysia Batik Day to encourage all citizens, including the private sector and the multiracial community, to wear Malaysian batik.
Meanwhile, Ras Adiba asked whether the elements of accessibility and compliance with the Malaysian Standard (MS1184) was one of the mandatory criteria for the use of the RM30mil in funding provided for the repair of 738 budget hotels registered under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
Apart from that, the chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) also thanked the government for choosing Bernama as the driving agency in providing the Malaysian Sign Language Interpreter Course. - Bernama