DISABLED MAN ALLEGES BULLYING

A DISABLED man who lives at the Centrio Avenue apartment in George Town, Penang, claims that he is being “bullied” by the building manager.

G. Seluakkumar, 25, claimed that she had refused to allow him to park his car at a bay designated for disabled drivers.

He said he had an official letter from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) that allowed him to use the parking bay. He said he also held an identification card for persons with disabilities issued by the Welfare Department.

“When I am not using the parking bay, no one else is using it. The manager has not given me any reason why I am not permitted to use it,” he told Actionline yesterday.

Seluakkumar said he understood that he could not park in the designated bay if another disabled person had parked his car there.

“But when the bay is vacant, why does the management refuse to allow me to use it?”

Apart from the parking problem, Seluakkumar said the manager had also refused to allow a visitor to help him carry a television set into his apartment during the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period.

“She said no suppliers were allowed into the building on weekends. “I can’t carry the television on my own, so the shop sent its staff to help me carry the television but was denied entry,” he said. Seluakkumar claimed that when other residents were passing by, the manager spoke loudly and embarassed him by telling everyone that he needed help to carry the television.

“I told her I am disabled. I only have one hand. The staff had parked his van outside the apartment complex and was helping me to carry the television.

“She told me it was my problem and did not allow the man to help carry the telvision.”

Seluakkumar said he had lodged a police report and sought help from MCA to find out why he was being discriminated against by the manager. Checks by Actionline at the apartment revealed that there was only one parking bay for disabled people at the 780unit apartment, which consisted of two blocks. An Aims Management Services employee, who wanted to be know only as Kay, said many residents had lodged complaints against the manager.

“My employers are afraid of her,” Kay added.

Kay alleged that the manager had received a commission for securing the building management project for the company.

“The manager acts like she is the queen here. She fights and argues with residents who go against her,” said Kay.

Penang MCA complaints bureau chief Ooi Teck Liang said he would help Seluakkumar to file a formal complaint with the Penang Commissioner of Buildings (COB).

“No one, disabled or otherwise, should be discriminated against. We will investigate this matter,” he said. Penang COB director Nik Ariff Long Dir advised Seluakkumar to lodge an official complaint in writing for further action.

“The management of the building cannot refuse to allow a disabled person to use the parking lot without a valid reason.

“Since Seluakkumar claims that the management has not given him any reason, he can write to us and we will get them to answer,” he said.

Nik Ariff advised residents who were facing problems with their building management to discuss the matter among themselves and get a quarter of the property owners to sign a petition and submit it to COB.

Efforts by Actionline to contact the building manager for her comments proved futile.