4-2-2012:Chinese New Year Party

Society of Disabled Persons Penang (SDPP) expressed the hope that the public would have a higher awareness on the matter.   

Madam The Lay Kuan brought up the point during the annual Chinese New Year Party of SDPP held the Goh Kongsi Penang. Due to the lack of the awareness of the public on facilities for the disabled such as car park and toilet, these facilities are quite often being abused or the ramps at premises not up to the mark. Therefore she hoped that the public could increase the awareness on these aspects and enable the disabled to live a better life.

MP for Tanjong YB Chow Kon Yeow mentioned that up to June, 2011, there are about 305000 registered disabled in the whole country. In order not to be side-lined by development, the state government, NOGs and the various societies for the disabled would cooperate and work together in increasing the awareness of the public so that the disabled are recognized by the society.

He pointed out that the state government would look seriously into the situations where the benefits for the disabled are being abused. At the same time, he suggested to the Penang City Council to emulate the approach by the South Korea government on the parking lot of the disabled, that is to paint the whole parking lot with colors so that the parking lots could be easily recognized. This would help in reducing the parking lot from being occupied with the pretext that they are not clearly marked.  

YB Phee Boon Poh, Chairman for Health, Welfare and Caring Society mentioned during the party that the living support fund for the disabled implemented by the state government would be distributed. He urged those who have not registered yet to do so promptly at the service centers of all PR MPs and State Assemblymen, so that the money could be directly deposited into their accounts.

Datuk Teng Hock Nam, chairman for Gerakan Penang pointed out that the needs for the disable are different in terms of hand/leg, eye and ear. Currently the basic facilities in Penang are still not enough to cover these aspects. He urged the various societies for the disabled to work with the state and federal government so that they are aware of the needs of the disabled. He also urged the state government to organize more campaigns on the awareness about the disabled. This would increase the civic conscious of the public on the disabled, so that the public are aware about the basic rights of the disabled, thus not abusing the basic facilities catered for the disabled.  

During the function, some entertaining programs were arranged for the guests including lion dance, the “Prosperity God” giving out Ang Pao (red packet with money) to the members, etc, enabling the guests to have a memorable night.