Mean drivers take up OKU bays

IT is very disappointing that many Malaysian drivers lack civic-consciousness and compassion for the OKU (disabled) community. Many irresponsible drivers will park in or block OKU designated parking bays for their own convenience.

My mother who has mobility issues has had her disability properly assessed by a government medical officer and certified by the Social Welfare Department (JKM).

She has also applied for a legitimate OKU sticker from the Road Transport Department (JPJ). It is a blue-coloured sticker with a serial number, 1Malaysia logo and a hologram (pic).

The sticker would allow her or her caretaker to park at OKU designated bays so that she need not walk far and over-strain/hurt herself in the process. However, it is very disappointing when the OKU bays are usually occupied by cars with store-bought OKU stickers or, worse, without any stickers at all.

Of late, I noticed many elderly folks, who are still able to walk, displaying store-bought OKU stickers on their cars. But they should understand that they are old, not disabled. They should not deprive those who are in real need of the designated parking bays.

There are also many selfish drivers who think that if no one is using the OKU parking bay at that moment, they might as well park there. Some would say it’s only for a short time, and there are others who won’t care and park for hours.

I believe this is because they know there is hardly any enforcement by the authorities. As such, they won’t get summoned or their cars won’t get towed away.

Recently, I was at University Hospital and noticed that many OKU bays were taken up by cars without legitimate OKU stickers. Perhaps there are guards there who will allow patients to park on a case-to-case basis. If the cases are genuine, then it’s all OK. But I do hope that hospital authorities monitor their OKU bays strictly as there are many who need the facility desperately.

If a person feels that they have a medical condition that warrants them to park at OKU designated bays, they should proceed to get a proper assessment and certification by a government medical officer. Register as an OKU at JKM and apply for a legitimate OKU parking sticker from JPJ.

Otherwise, please do not park at OKU designated bays as there are genuine OKUs who need the space.

I hope the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Transport Ministry and municipal and building authorities will work together to ensure that there is strict enforcement on the use of facilities that are meant for the OKU community.

HOPEFUL CITIZEN Kuala Lumpur