OKUs urged to register with Welfare Dept
KUCHING: Individuals with disabilities ( OKUs) are urged to register with the Social Welfare Department ( JKM) to enable the government to draw up programmes and provide facilities for them.
Acting JKM Malaysia directorgeneral Zulkhairi Zainol Abidin said OKUs who had yet to register under the Information Management System for the Disabled ( SMOKU) should do so to assist the government in implementing its Action Plan for OKU 2016-2022.
“Such registration is very important because it helps the government to draw up rehabilitation, training and education programmes as well as providing services and facilities suitable for OKUs.
“As at Dec 2 this year, a total of 404,746 OKU had registered with JKM and we hope more would come forward for the registration,” he said when closing the Action Plan for OKU 2016- 2022 Roadshow at Waterfront Hotel here yesterday.
More than 27,000 OKUs throughout the state had registered with JKM. About 100 individuals from various government agencies and nongovernmental organisations ( NGOs) took part in the halfday event jointly organised by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development and Sarawak Disabled Persons Organisation (Pertubuhan Orang Cacat Sarawak).
Zulkhairi recalled that the Action Plan for OKU 2016- 2022 was launched by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim in Putrajaya last Aug 9.
He said the action plan comprised 10 strategic thrusts, among which, were to provide enhanced services and facilities for OKUs. Since the launch, he said the ministry had instructed JKM to run roadshows in Malacca, Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.
He added that similar events would be taking place in Sabah soon.
“We are aware that some NGOs are fighting for the rights of OKUs. One of them is DPO, Disabled Persons Organisation.
“We want all relevant NGOs to engage themselves in the Action Plan for OKU roadshows so that the plan can be effectively carried out to benefit the target group.”
Meanwhile, acting JKM Sarawak director Joni Nuruddin said the roadshow was aimed at creating awareness on the action plan among stakeholders.