Dialogue with OKU

Very recently my office organised a dialogue with the OKU (disabled) in my constituency. The event was reported in The Star and Malay Mail. The idea came about one day when I was imagining a session where I could gather all OKUs in Subang Jaya and listen to their struggles (most OKUs do not come out to participate in our monthly town hall meetings). The imagination became a reality on 22nd Nov. My office gathered a group of young volunteers to begin the task of identifying the OKUs. We obtained the list of registered OKUs from Jabatan Kebajikan and began calling each OKU and sent a personal invitation to each one of them. This group of young volunteers also assisted in giving free transportation to the OKUs, by sending them to MPSJ for the dialogue and then sending them home. This is the direction I wish to see – young people, instead of wasting time with non-productive and unhealthy activities, lead the way by offering their services and time in changing the community.

MPSJ councillors were invited to listen to the woes faced by the disabled in matters concerning the local council ie. planning requirements, work opportunities for the OKUs at MPSJ and public facilities. Jabatan Kebajikan was also present to listen to suggestions on improving their services. A sign language interpreter was also engaged so that the deaf and mute residents could participate in the dialogue. Counters were also set up for OKU car stickers applications and services by Jabatan Kebajikan.

During my speech, I was overwhelmed with emotions as I addressed the OKUs present. I remembered the days when my late grandfather was bedridden and how my heart broke each time we went out and he had to stay home. I told my OKU constituents that they too are taxpayers and they deserve every right to be heard. Subang Jaya has the resources to be a disabled-friendly neighbourhood.

The OKUs and their caretakers

With mothers of children with cerebral palsy