09 April 2013| last updated at 12:02AM
By V. Murugeswaran, president, Damai Disabled Persons Association Malaysia, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
letters@nstp.com.my
BARISAN Nasional’s manifesto, which was revealed to on Saturday, looks like the most positive and promising manifesto by BN after so many years.
I was delighted when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched BN’s manifesto in line with his idea of “People First”.
It is the first time in the history of the nation where the disabled community’s needs are given importance just like every other aspect which a developing nation needs.
BN’s manifesto is a promise by the government to ensure the integration and development of people with disabilities together with the rest of the people.
The pledge to ensure Rapid Bus system caters for the disabled in every state is a good start to transform our inaccessible transport system, a cause which the disabled community in this country has been fighting for all these years.
Having said that, it is important for BN to have the support of the local authorities to ensure the infrastructure aspects like bus stops are upgraded to cater to the need of the disabled.
It is also noted that BN has pledged to give special attention to people with disabilities to harness their full potential and capacity.
There are few other important aspects which BN ought to have included in the manifesto.
Among them are the Disabled People’s Act, which needs amendments to ensure the rights conferred to the disabled are absolute and making preschools, primary and secondary schools, and universities accessible to the disabled so they can excel in education.
It does look BN has covered the needs of all walks of people in this country with special attention given to the less unfortunate like people with disabilities in its manifesto. I hope that the needs of people with disabilities will be given the rightful attention by those who have been given the mandate to form the government to ensure integration and development of the people with disabilities.
Read more: BN MANIFESTO: Needs of disabled are being addressed – Letters to the Editor – New Straits Times