Between uneven pavements, dotted potholes, and ramps for wheelchair users remaining a rare sight, Kuala Lumpur is not exactly the friendliest city for people with disabilities[1]. However, a project started by three young Malaysians — Armani, Nurul, and Miza, has risen to support the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) community, while also serving senior citizens, young children, and people with situational disabilities. IncluCity by Nakseni is an app that provides a crowdsourced map locating accessible and safe spaces in the city for the convenience of those in need[1].
This project is among the many positive steps that Malaysia can implement and are implementing, to support accessibility and inclusivity of all Malaysians despite their disabilities.
Landscape of PwD in Malaysia
In January 2023, 3.8% (1,278,074) of the total 33 million Malaysian population were registered under the welfare department. The number has doubled over three years, where in 2020, only 1.6% of the Malaysian population—537,000 people with disabilities, were registered. However, the Association of Women with Disabilities president, Bathmavati Krishnan, estimated the actual figure of PwDs in the country to be 4.5 million[2]. So, where did the other 3.2 million go?
The stark difference in registered and unregistered figures can be attributed to the point that disabled people are disabled, at least, as one of the contributing factors that either geographically, physically, or financially limits the access of PwDs to information, help, and offices on what they can do[3].
In Malaysia, registering as a PwD with an official OKU card continues to carry the stigma of limiting upward mobility in employment and higher insurance costs, despite enjoying greater accessibility to housing, education, and transportation in financial aid[3].
Moreover, PwDs are more vulnerable to discrimination and violence in society. On August 21st, 2023, a student in the special education programme at her school was bullied by her teacher[4]. Early this year, a 7-year-old disabled girl was abused by her mother’s boyfriend and beaten to death in Sarawak[5].
As a nation, there are many ways we can take to better protect and care for the PwDs in our communities. Throughout the years, Malaysia has seen numerous developments and calls for reform in this area. Here are 7 positive steps toward making Malaysia more disabled-friendly.
#1: RM1.2Bil Allocated From Budget 2024
A total of RM1.2 billion is to be allocated under Budget 2024 to aid in medical care for the chronically ill or bedridden, unemployment benefits for unemployable PwDs, as well as financial aid for PwD workers to help them improve their lives and alleviate the pressure of inflation[6].
The incentives offered will make a difference to those with disabilities who want to become independent. These microloans can change the trajectory of their lives…Some who want to start selling their handicrafts can use this to start their business, or even expand their small business. – Penang Cheshire Home President, Andrew Koay[6]
Budget 2024 will be able to provide PwDs with financial help to alleviate their necessary fees, share their burden of unemployment, and aid the pressure of inflation towards them.
#2: Access to Recreational Activities
For PwDs, certain activities such as scuba diving, surfing, and hiking are beyond their reach due to the unaccommodating demands of the activities. However, a group of Malaysians under the NGO, Diveheart, decided that PwDs deserve to try scuba diving for themselves, and set up a Scuba Diving Programme in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, for wheelchair users[7].
The program ran from 3 – 5 September and gave five wheelchair users their first discovery dives. 39-year-old Iziani, diagnosed with spina bifida at birth, recounts her experience.
I did not expect to be able to do this, because when I first tried to get into the sea on the first day, I got scared and had to be brought back to the shore. But [on the second day], I made it about 3m down and saw some fish. It is beautiful and a whole new world opened up for me when I was diving. – Iziani, wheelchair user[7]
The volunteers, doctors, divers, and sponsors who were present in the execution of this event have given these five people an experience in their lifetime. Their actions are inspiring and admirable to all, and more communities should come together to bring forth events as such for the PwD community in our nation.
#3: Inclusive Higher Education Opportunities
Creating an inclusive environment in universities and colleges towards PwD is crucial to providing them with equal opportunities in learning and society. In 2019, the University Malaya, Malaysia’s oldest university, has introduced an Inclusive University Policy[8].
The Inclusive University Policy implementation includes standard operating procedures for teaching and learning, industrial training, examination, counselling services, scholarship and financial assistance. – Yahaya, AUN DPPnet director[8]
Just this year, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Diveheart Malaysia which formalises the parties’ collaboration in providing opportunities for young Malaysians to develop leadership skills, entrepreneurial skills, soft skills, and a sense of social responsibility in supporting people with disabilities through activities such as awareness campaigns, workshops, and mentoring sessions[9].
The Diveheart trip was an eye-opening and very humbling experience. At the core of this NGO lie very compassionate values. The trip enabled me to better understand the perspective of people with disabilities. I feel more aware of the things that I take for granted without even knowing it. I’d say that no one is better than the other, just because of physical differences. Everyone is capable of doing anything they want. – Suraindran Mani Maran, HWUM student[9]
#4: Addressing Issues with Malaysia Madani
On January 19th, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched Malaysia Madani as the main agenda for his administration. Malaysia Madani is a policy framework that addresses the issues and needs of the people, including good governance, democracy, social justice, recognition of the rights of all citizens, and economic and social well-being of the people, especially those who are marginalised and PwDs[10].
This agenda is a great step towards building a more disabled-friendly Malaysia. A couple of organisations have since come together to further recommend five actions that can be taken by the government to further promote inclusion, that is Boleh Space, Society of the Blind in Malaysia (SBM), Malaysian Deaf Advocate and Well-Being Organisation (DAWN), National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC), Rangkaian Solidariti Demokratik Pesakit Mental (SIUMAN), United Voice.
They propose upgrading the PwD department to be a full-fledged department with at least 50% of employees with disabilities, setting up a parliamentary special select committee on PwD affairs, establishing a Disability Affairs Unit, establishing a Disability Rights Commission to support and educate PwDs on their rights, legislations, and policies, as well as increasing the number of senators representing PwDs from each category and the nomination, screening, and appointment process[10].
#5: 50% Discounts on Public Transport
According to Prasarana Malaysia, an average of 23,527 and 26,762 disabled people use bus and rail services, respectively, every month[11]. They are granted a 50% discount on all public transport in the country. They will soon be able to enjoy free public transportation services, according to Women, Family, and Community Development Minister, Nancy Shukri, who said that Transport Minister, Loke Siew Fook, had agreed on the idea and is considering the best mechanism to implement it[11].
This can encourage PwDs to travel more conveniently as the MRTs and LRTs provide lifts up to the platforms, tight spaces between platform gaps to roll on and off for wheelchair users, and allocated spaces in the coach with rails to hold on to[12]. Furthermore, the stations are filled with a generous amount of screens and indicators of the commute, making it easier to navigate for the hearing impaired.
#6: GrabAccess Partnerships
Grab Malaysia recently launched GrabAccess, a program to empower people with disabilities and marginalised individuals by giving them equal access to be a Grab partner — as a driver, delivery, or merchant partner[13]. This program is a collaborative commitment with the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD) and a partnership with Persatuan Pemandu e-Hailing OKU Fizikal Malaysia (PPEOFM).
This initiative will be beneficial to improve the employability of PwD in the country, as well as help them be independent in sustaining themselves financially.
#7: Education and Training Programmes
Maybank Foundation first introduced the R.I.S.E Programme (Reach Independence & Sustainable Entrepreneurship) in 2014 intending to address issues of employment shortfall within the country encountered by PwDs, highlighting long-standing challenges in accessing quality education and training, with pervasive workplace discrimination that hinders PwD from acquiring the essential skills to achieve financial stability[14]. The R.I.S.E Programme provides PwDs with the knowledge of high-quality business and financial education, empowering participants to establish sustainable livelihoods and make their businesses recession-proof.
The programme has since grown to reach over 1400 people in Malaysia who experienced income growth from RM 673.71 to RM 3,074.98. To date, 29,034 participants from People with Disabilities and marginalised communities have been trained through the R.I.S.E programme.
What sets the R.I.S.E Programme apart is the tailored support we provide to each individual. We understand that PWDs and marginalised groups face unique challenges, and our program is designed to address those challenges directly. – Izlyn Ramli, Head of Corporate Affairs and CEO of Maybank Foundation[13]
Aside from the R.I.S.E Programme, the Malaysia Independent Living Association For Disabled (MILAD) offers an Independent Living Skill Training Programme for PwDs. The programme aims to provide courses on various public transportation systems, personal finance management, dealing with discriminatory behaviours by the general public, and many other key subjects[15].
Explore Our Sources
- T. Skovalan. (2023). These M’sians Are Starting A Crowdsourced Map Of KL So People With Disabilities Can Access Safe Venues & Spaces. Link
- F. Kwan. (2020). 2020 e-census lacks views from persons with disabilities, says group. FMT. Link
- R. Ching. (2022). How an OKU card benefits persons with disabilities. FMT. Link
- FMT. (2023). Ministry probes alleged bullying of disabled student by teacher. Link
- The Star (2023). Couple remanded in connection with seven-year-old girl’s murder in Kuching. Link
- The Star (2023). RM1.2bil set aside for persons with disabilities. Link
- M. Ang. (2023). Scuba Diving Programme In KK Opens Underwater Experience For Wheelchair Users. Says. Link
- Z. Mustafa. (2019). Inclusive campuses: Enabling the disabled to pursue studies to the highest level. New Straits Times. Link
- Heriot-Watt University. (2023). HWUM and Diveheart Sign MoU to Build a More Inclusive and Sustainable Social Capital Ecosystem in Malaysia. Link
- The Vibes. (2023). Recommendations for disability-inclusive Malaysia Madani – civil society groups. Link
- FMT. (2023). Disabled to get free public transport rides soon. Link
- The Star. (2022). Commuters, including disabled, excited over new ride. Link
- Grab. (2023). Grab Announces GrabAccess reiterating their commitment to create inclusive opportunities for PWD on the Grab platform. Link
- C. Ignatius. (2023). Bridging Economic Gaps For PWDs In Malaysia: Maybank’s R.I.S.E. Programme. Business Today. Link
- Malaysia Independent Living Association for Disabled (MILAD) (n.d.). Our Services. Link
