Interesting Letters in the Press: April 2006

Monday, April 24, 2006

StarMetro Mail, April 24, 2006 on compulsory vet care

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Central
Monday April 24, 2006

Ensure adequate vets before enforcing rule

The Housing and Local Government Ministry is reported to be considering making it a must for dog owners to have their pet dogs undergo veterinary checks each year before they can renew their licences.

There is no doubt that the need for health checks are vital.

In fact, health checks shouldn’t only be for dogs but for cats as well.

But the answer is not as simplistic as one might be tempted to think.

The problem is when it is made mandatory.

It raises a host of serious and unanswered questions such as:

Are there sufficient vet services in the country for such an undertaking? Are they nearby or accessible to pet owners? Is it fair to impose further burdens on pet owners which will only affect responsible pet owners?

What about pet owners who have no transport to ferry their animals to the vet? Should they be barred from having dogs? Will it be okay then for us to cart our dogs in the bus or taxi in such situations? Or should one with dogs decide to abandon their animals for fear of the law? What about those who use motorcycles? Should they totally forget the idea about getting a dog?

What about dogs that are difficult to manage and don’t leave the owners’ premises?

What about unethical vets who because of poor business or whatever, try and exploit the situation by prescribing unnecessary treatments to the doting pet owner?

Will a mandatory health check motivate irresponsible pet owners to care more for their dogs now that they are being “forced” to? Or will it alienate them further and make them refuse to get licence for their pets?
In the end, an arbitrary health check law will only hurt good dog owners who make it a habit to bring in their dogs several times a year.

The answer, therefore, lies not in legislation but in education of pet owners.

EDUCATED DOG,

Petaling Jaya.

Source:

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StarMetro Mail, April 24, 2006 on compulsory vet care

Friday, April 14, 2006

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Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Malaysiakini: Disabled Parking 12 April, 2006

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Disabled parking needs proper planning
G Francis Siva
Apr 12, 06 3:31pm

Disabled people welcome the announcement in the media by Klang Municipal Council president Abdul Bakir Zin that the MPK is seriously looking into providing parking lots for the disabled in Klang.

However, in order to make such an effort effective and fruitful, the MPK must invite the participation of disabled people in their committee in order to provide their expertise and feedback as to how this can be best achieved.

A disabled friendly parking lot should have the following requirements:

Handicapped people car parks must be placed next or nearest to entrances of buildings with priority given to clinics, grocery shops, banks, post offices, government buildings, places of worship, etc. Where there are steps into buildings or walkways, ramps should also be provided.

The size should approximately be that of two car-park spaces normally given for the able- bodied. This is to allow drivers with wheelchairs sufficient space to get in and out of their vehicles without being obstructed by other parked cars on the left and right.

For those using three of four-wheeled motorcycles, space for wheelchairs should also be considered as many carry these on their bikes.

Wheelchair standup signs and logos should be clearly marked and visible from a distance and from the entrances of parking areas. It is important to come up with a standardised logo which doesn’t confuse handicapped drivers.

All disabled parking slots must come with a roof to protect the handicapped from the elements. A hot seat under the scorching sun can cause life-threatening blisters and wounds for paralysed drivers who can’t feel them. Umbrellas are no good for wheelchair users who may require at least 15 minutes to get in and out of a car whereas an able-bodied driver can accomplish it in 15 seconds.

Assistance from parking attendants, security guards, etc, should also be provided for those who require help in unloading/loading their wheelchairs from the car boot. An intercom service (such as the ones used to call for help if the parking barrier malfunctions) should also be devised for disabled people. Security cameras are also helpful not only to tell when a handicapped driver arrives but also to serve as an warning system in an emergency or danger.

Prompt action must be taken against non-disabled drivers who pinch disabled parking bays by continuos monitoring, the imposing of hefty fines or by clamping their vehicles. Without strict enforcement, all the efforts to provide the disabled with proper facilities will be futile.
Until all these requirements are fulfilled, all handicapped drivers should be exempted from all parking fees.

This letter is on behalf of the Independent Living and Training Centre, Rawang, Kelab Kecacatan Fizikal Klang, Persatuan Orang Cacat Anggota Melayu Malaysia (Permata), Persatuan Warga Istimewa & Rehabilitasi Anggota K9, Perkhimatan Keluarga Interaksi Orang Kurang Upaya (Kioku) Kuala Lumpur, the Selangor Cheshire Home, Persatuan Orang Cacat Anggota Malaysia, and Bivai Special Dogs for the Handicapped.

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Monday, April 03, 2006

The Star, April 04 2006

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Parliament
Tuesday April 4, 2006

Shahrizat blasts councils

WOMEN, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil lambasted local authorities for not providing sufficient facilities to the disabled.

Attributing the situation in the country to poor implementation, she said the Government had established policies on the matter.

“I am extremely disappointed with them. It is as if they are sambil lewa (indifferent) over this matter,” she said at the Parliament lobby.

She was asked to comment on reports that a physically disabled woman, Guldip Kaur @ Rina, had received a letter from the Klang Municipal Council threatening court action for failing to pay for parking.

Rina claimed that she could not pay the parking fees because the bay she had used was not a special bay for the disabled and she could not reach the ticket machines.

Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad (BN – Johor Baru) had asked Housing and Local Government Ministry parliamentary secretary Dr S. Subramaniam about this incident earlier during question time.

Shahrizat said this would not have happened if there were special facilities for the disabled.

“This is not difficult. Local authorities must include these things in their planning,” she said, adding that such facilities were the norm in other countries.

During question time, Shahrir, who pointed out Rina’s case, asked whether the Government was planning to audit every local authority to see if it provided good facilities and whether its officers were friendly towards the disabled.

Dr Subramaniam said the Government carried out a survey on local authorities last year and found that 72% of the buildings under the control of local authorities were disabled-friendly.

“The others are old buildings which are quite difficult to renovate due to space constraints,” he said, adding that the survey was conducted on 50 of 96 local authorities.

He said the old buildings were built before the Guidelines On Building Requirements For Disabled Persons were implemented in 1990.

“Some local authorities also do not have enough money to renovate the buildings,” he noted.

Dr Subramaniam said the ministry was responsible for ensuring that buildings were disabled-people friendly.

He said the Government also required the private sector to submit their building plans for approval.

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The Sun part 2 of 2, April 3, 2006

Groups want council to cancel court action, apologise to Gurdip
by S. Tamarai Chelvi and V. Magessan

PETALING JAYA: The Klang Municipal Council (MPK) should cancel the notice of court action and arrest warrant issued against Gurdip Kaur Pritam Singh immediately, disabled groups and political parties urged.
Anthony Thanasayan, adviser to Independent Living and Training Centre, said the incident reflected the council's total lack of understanding and awareness of the plight of the disabled.

He said disabled people are afraid to go out.

Anthony said when there is no understanding and appreciation to the struggle they go through, it is no wonder many disabled persons refuse to venture out.

He said it is morally wrong to charge a disabled person for parking when the council do not provide disabled-friendly car parks.

He said the council should instead apologise to Gurdip Kaur for putting her through this.

Chong Tuck Meng, an adviser and founder of Perwira K9, a support group for people with spinal cord injuries (K9 is the name of the spinal ward of Hospital Kuala Lumpur), said MPK should withdraw the summons after knowing that the vehicle belongs to a disabled person.

He said the public should encourage disabled people to go out.

He said his members have their own cars but find parking a major problem.

He said it is difficult to get a taxi as most cabbies find it troublesome to ferry a disabled person and they charge extra.

In a statement to the press, Gerakan youth secretary general Hoo Saw Ho urged the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to work out an effective plan to resolve parking problems faced by the disabled.

The statement also asked the ministry to provide more allocation under 9th Malaysian Plan to upgrade the parking facilities.

He called for more special parking lots and for disabled person to be issued parking stickers.

theSun went with Gurdip yesterday to check out the parking bay in front of the Mariamman Temple in Klang which she had used.

We found that the parking ticket machine was built on an elevated concrete base. It was clear Gurdip Kaur could never reach the coin slot.

MPK public relations officer Norfiza Mahfiz said Gurdip Kaur should see them personally and speak to the legal adviser or the council president for a discount on the fines.

MPK legal advisee Fadzilah Abdul Aziz said they will look into the case and will consider cancelling the summons if the owner of the car is genuinely disabled.

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epaper solution by BODHTREE
PETALING JAYA: The Klang Municipal Council (MPK) should cancel the notice of court action and arrest warrant issued against Gurdip Kaur Pritam Singh immediately, disabled groups and political parties urged. Anthony Thanasayan, adviser to Independent Living and Training Centre, said the incident reflected the council's total lack of understanding and awareness of the plight of the disabled. He said disabled people are afraid to go out. Anthony said when there is no understanding and appreciation to the struggle they go through, it is no wonder many disabled persons refuse to venture out. He said it is morally wrong to charge a disabled person for parking when the council do not provide disabled-friendly car parks. He said the council should instead apologise to Gurdip Kaur for putting her through this. Chong Tuck Meng, an adviser and founder of Perwira K9, a support group for people with spinal cord injuries (K9 is the name of the spinal ward of Hospital Kuala Lumpur), said MPK should withdraw the summons after knowing that the vehicle belongs to a disabled person. He said the public should encourage disabled people to go out. He said his members have their own cars but find parking a major problem. He said it is difficult to get a taxi as most cabbies find it troublesome to ferry a disabled person and they charge extra. In a statement to the press, Gerakan youth secretary general Hoo Saw Ho urged the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to work out an effective plan to resolve parking problems faced by the disabled. The statement also asked the ministry to provide more allocation under 9th Malaysian Plan to upgrade the parking facilities. He called for more special parking lots and for disabled person to be issued parking stickers. theSun went with Gurdip yesterday to check out the parking bay in front of the Mariamman Temple in Klang which she had used. We found that the parking ticket machine was built on an elevated concrete base. It was clear Gurdip Kaur could never reach the coin slot. MPK public relations officer Norfiza Mahfiz said Gurdip Kaur should see them personally and speak to the legal adviser or the council president for a discount on the fines. MPK legal advisee Fadzilah Abdul Aziz said they will look into the case and will consider cancelling the summons if the owner of the car is genuinely disabled.

The Sun part 1 of 2, April 3, 2006

MPs: Do more for disabled persons
They should be treated with more dignity.' Shahrizat
by B. Suresh Ram

KUALA LUMPUR: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil yesterday took to task local authorities for failing to provide proper and adequate facilities for disabled persons.
Commenting on the plight of wheelchair-bound paraplegic Gurdip Kaur Pritam Singh who faces arrest for not paying her parking tickets, Shahrizat said she was extremely disappointed with such a situation.

She said this could have been prevented if more bays for the disabled were provided as was the norm overseas.

"The local authorities must make this part and parcel of their development programmes," she told reporters at parliament lobby.

She said the country lacks in the area of providing more amenities to the disabled.

"They should be treated with more dignity."

Earlier, in the Dewan Rakyat, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister S. Subramaniam agreed the treatment of disabled persons by the staff of local authorities left much to be desired.

Coincidentally, the ministry's efforts in facilitating the disabled and low- income groups in paying their bills was scheduled for discussion in parliament yesterday.

The disabled persons are not the only ones facing such a problem, he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad (BN-Johor Baru).

Shahrir wanted to know what steps were being taken by the ministry to ensure that local authorities treat disabled persons in a more respectable and humane manner.

He also wanted to know how they were addressing Gurdip's plight.

Subramaniam said the ministry holds seminars and courses to ensure council employees are more aware of the facilities and ways of dealing with ratepayers.

He said among the 50 local authorities that responded to a survey last year, 72% out of the 217 buildings in their holdings are disabled friendly.

The rest were not disabledfriendly and were old buildings built before the guidelines on disabled persons were gazetted.

Subramaniam said under the 9th Malaysia Plan, the ministry has sought allocation to provide more facilities for the disabled.

To the original question from Juslie Ajirol (BNLibaran), Subramaniam said in 1990, the ministry had amended the Uniform Building By-laws by incorporating provision for disabled persons such as barrier-free paths, special parking lots and counters for the disabled to pay bills.

"The department had also issued the Guideline on Building Requirements For Disabled Persons to require all quarters involved to follow and implement the by-laws."

Subramaniam said most government agencies including, local authorities, have prepared special counters and barrier free paths for the disabled.

EMAIL
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
epaper solution by BODHTREE
KUALA LUMPUR: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil yesterday took to task local authorities for failing to provide proper and adequate facilities for disabled persons. Commenting on the plight of wheelchair-bound paraplegic Gurdip Kaur Pritam Singh who faces arrest for not paying her parking tickets, Shahrizat said she was extremely disappointed with such a situation. She said this could have been prevented if more bays for the disabled were provided as was the norm overseas. "The local authorities must make this part and parcel of their development programmes," she told reporters at parliament lobby. She said the country lacks in the area of providing more amenities to the disabled. "They should be treated with more dignity." Earlier, in the Dewan Rakyat, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister S. Subramaniam agreed the treatment of disabled persons by the staff of local authorities left much to be desired. Coincidentally, the ministry's efforts in facilitating the disabled and low- income groups in paying their bills was scheduled for discussion in parliament yesterday. The disabled persons are not the only ones facing such a problem, he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad (BN-Johor Baru). Shahrir wanted to know what steps were being taken by the ministry to ensure that local authorities treat disabled persons in a more respectable and humane manner. He also wanted to know how they were addressing Gurdip's plight. Subramaniam said the ministry holds seminars and courses to ensure council employees are more aware of the facilities and ways of dealing with ratepayers. He said among the 50 local authorities that responded to a survey last year, 72% out of the 217 buildings in their holdings are disabled friendly. The rest were not disabled- friendly and were old buildings built before the guidelines on disabled persons were gazetted. Subramaniam said under the 9th Malaysia Plan, the ministry has sought allocation to provide more facilities for the disabled. To the original question from Juslie Ajirol (BN- Libaran), Subramaniam said in 1990, the ministry had amended the Uniform Building By-laws by incorporating provision for disabled persons such as barrier-free paths, special parking lots and counters for the disabled to pay bills. "The department had also issued the Guideline on Building Requirements For Disabled Persons to require all quarters involved to follow and implement the by-laws." Subramaniam said most government agencies including, local authorities, have prepared special counters and barrier free paths for the disabled.

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At the Dewan Rakyat yesterday: Shahrizat upset with Klang municipal council

April 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UTTERLY disappointed. Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil was clearly upset over the Klang municipal council’s issuance of a warrant of arrest against a 45-year-old disabled woman who could not pay parking fees because of her handicap.

"I am very disappointed at the lackadaisical attitude of the local authority in the matter," the Women, Family and Community Development Minister said when commenting on Gurmit Kaur’s plight.

She said the council should have provided disabled-friendly facilities like special parking lots for the disabled.

"Even though my ministry has no enforcement powers, I am utterly disappointed. I suspect they feel the disabled are not important enough.

"That is not true and I’m just reminding them this is blatant disregard for a section of the community which really needs help," she said in the Parliament lobby.

She attributed the problem to planning and implementation, with local authorities not adhering to policies set by the Government for the disabled. Shahrizat said she would raise the issue of a lack of disabled-friendly facilities in Cabinet.

The New Straits Times had reported yesterday that the warrant of arrest against the wheelchair-bound woman had come in the wake of 10 summonses for failure to display a parking ticket on her vehicle.
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MPK criticised for its insensitive action

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KUALA LUMPUR: The Klang Municipal Council’s (MPK) actions in obtaining an arrest warrant for a disabled person for not paying her summons, was criticised by other physically-disabled citizens.

They were present at a Press conference organised by Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) yesterday to protest MPK’s actions.

Last Friday, quadriplegic Gurdip Kaur was slapped with an arrest warrant for not paying a summons.

Most said the council’s action was discriminatory towards the handicapped.

"We feel that we are being stereotyped. This is not the way to treat us. Are they trying to tell us to stay at home and not go out at all?" said ILTC adviser Anthony Thanasayan.

"Although we are disabled, we want to do what normal people do in our daily activities. But action like this often leaves us feeling discriminated against," he said.

Thanasayan, 46, has been paralysed since birth due to a spinal disorder.

Another member, Dixon David, 26, a quadriplegic following an accident five years ago, said he often faced problems when he goes out with his friends or family.

"In many cases, although there are disabled-parking spaces provided, we are not allowed to park our vehicles there if we go out with friends or family.

"Often the security guards will question us for parking at the disabled parking spot. They said since I am not the one driving, we are not allowed to park there," said David.

David said this kind of treatment becomes a hindrance for disabled people who enjoy meeting up with friends or going out with family members.

Roxanna Lim, 53, from Rawang, also faced the same problem whenever she brings her 21-year-old daughter out.

Her adopted daughter, Wong Lee Fong suffers from spastic cerebral palsy.

"Although I am not a disabled person, I have often come across unpleasant encounters when I bring her out with me.

"The councils should not only provide more parking spaces for the disabled, it should also be spacious enough so that it is easier for them to enter and exit their vehicle," said Lim.

Nur Azlan Alias, 41, from Petaling Jaya, said MPK officials should be more considerate while doing their job.

"Since there are no facilities for the disabled, we have no choice but to park anywhere," said Nur Azlan, who also suffers from spastic cerebral palsy.

"Their actions have caused unnecessary distress for Gurdip. They should exercise their discretion when coming across such cases.

"Had they done so, this would not have happened," he said.

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Sunday, April 02, 2006

The Star, April 3, 2006

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Nation
Monday April 3, 2006

Council taking disabled woman to court over parking fees

By THO XIN YI

KUALA LUMPUR: It can be difficult to find disabled-friendly parking space in Klang, yet the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) is prepared to take a disabled woman to court for failure to pay parking-related compounds.

Independent Living & Training Centre secretary Gurdip Kaur @ Rina was taken aback to receive a notice dated March 30 from the council informing her that court action “will be initiated at any time” against her.

NOTICE OF ACTION: Rina holding up the notice from the Klang Municipal Council during press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
The letter was headed “Notice of Court Action and Warrant of Arrest”.

Rina, 45, made frequent visits to Klang in mid-2004 as the centre was organising an event there and received about 10 compounds then for not paying parking fees.

“There were no parking lots for the disabled and the ticket machines were inaccessible for wheelchair-bound people as there were poles in front of them,” she said yesterday at a press conference.

According to her, when she called the council to explain the situation, its legal adviser Fadzilah Abd Aziz said: “Whether you are disabled or not, you have to pay the parking fees. Rules are rules.”

Rina, who has been paralysed from the waist downwards after a fall in 1993, then wrote a letter of appeal to the council on Feb 22 last year, enclosing a copy of her disabled person's identification card.

However, she received the council’s notice last Friday.

Rina – who said she did not get help from passers-by to pay her parking fee because she “wanted to be independent” – felt that the council should not penalise disabled people when it did not provide adequate parking facilities for them.

“I don’t want to see the same thing happening to other disabled people,” she said.

Centre adviser Anthony Thanasayan said local authorities of places like Seremban and Kajang would cancel such compounds once the situation had been explained to them.

“Why can’t MPK do the same?

“Malaysia is a caring society but this incident shows that some people are insensitive. It’s as if these people are sending out a strong message: ‘Don’t come out. Stay at home'. But we are just like anyone else,” he said.

Anthony said the centre hoped to meet with Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting to discuss this issue.

“The ministry should educate local councils on how to treat us right,” he said, urging local authorities to work more closely with disabled groups.

When contacted, MPK public relations officer Norfiza Mahfiz said Rina should see her at the council office to sort out the matter.

However, she added: “Whether you are disabled or not, parking without paying the parking fees is wrong.

“She can be granted a discount, but we are not going to cancel the compounds.”

Norfiza also advised the public to follow the rules strictly.

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New Straits Times, Malaysia April 3, 2006

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Disabled woman: I’m no criminal
Minderjeet Kaur

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KUALA LUMPUR: "I am not a criminal. I am just disabled." This is the plaintive plea of a wheelchair-bound woman issued 10 summonses by the Klang Municipal Council for failure to display a parking ticket on her car.

But things have now become decidedly difficult for Gurmit Kaur, who has been issued with a warrant of arrest for the alleged offences.

The 45-year-old’s defence is this: How can she do so when the ticketing machine does not cater to the disabled?

According to her, she displayed a disabled logo sticker prominently at the side and front of her car.

It all started two years ago when she parked her car at Padang Chetty in Klang.

"There were no parking bays for the disabled and I parked my car at a normal lot. The ticketing machine was not disabled-friendly and I could not purchase a ticket," she said.

"I was in Klang for two weeks and the enforcement officers issued me 10 summonses. Once, I tried explaining my predicament but the enforcement officer refused to listen," she said.

Frustrated, she wrote appeal letters to the council to waive the summonses but "the council’s legal department totally refused to listen".

Gurmit, who is paralysed from the waist down, works as a secretary with Independent Living and Training Centre. Her situation has also caused uneasiness among other wheelchair-bound residents at the centre.

Centre adviser Anthony Thanasayan said he was trying to see Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting on the matter.

"Instead of caring and helping the disabled, they are treating us like criminals."

He said it was time the ministry ensured that at least two parking bays were allocated for the disabled at post office and clinics.

"The disabled also need to go out for various reasons — to cut hair, buy grocery and watch movies."

Thanasayan said the ministry, with the help of the centre, should educate and train enforcement officers on the disabled.

The centre, he said, wanted the council to apologise for the distress caused to Gurmit.

"Sending a warrant of arrest to a wheelchair-bound person for illegal parking is inexcusable. What does it say about society?"

Centre president Francis Siva said the Selayang Municipal Council had allocated 60 parking lots for the disabled while Kuala Lumpur City Hall often waived summonses issued to them.

"Both authorities have had dialogue sessions with us to make the areas under their jurisdiction more disabled-friendly."
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Tackle root cause of irresponsible pet ownership, April 2, 2006

N E W S

Opinion
Sunday April 2, 2006

Tackle root cause of pet problem

IT has been reported that the Housing and Local Government Ministry is mulling over the idea of introducing differential dog licence fees for pet owners in the country.

A one-year licence fee would be RM10 per dog. For a second dog: RM20. For the third and subsequent dogs, it will be RM30 each.

Such a ruling will only discriminate against the poor and average income owners and make owning dogs a luxury only the rich can afford.

Furthermore, forcing people to cough up extra money for their pets will do absolutely nothing to make them become more responsible for their pets.

The affluent will have no problems adding pets to their homes while continuing to neglect them.

The ruling itself is flawed because it sees dogs as the problem and tries to reduce the dog population instead of tackling the root cause of the issue, which is irresponsible pet ownership.

It is tantamount to trying to stop or reduce the population of human beings because of crime.

In the end, it is not how many pets one has that leads to irresponsibility.

All it takes is for only one owner who refuses to take responsibility for his animal to create a sea of problems for everyone.

DON DAVE BENJAMIN

Kuala Lumpur

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