‘They are just as capable’
Ministry aims to have more handicapped persons join workforce
PUTRAJAYA: As of Dec 31 last year, 3,856 handicapped persons (OKU) or 0.31% of handicapped persons are employed in the public sector out of the total 1,268,701 posts in the country, said the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
In a press statement issued yesterday, the ministry said it was studying new methods and strategies with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other related agencies to increase the implementation of the 1% OKU participation policy in the civil service and certain private organisations so that handicapped persons are not sidelined from national development.
It added that this was discussed at the National Council for Handicapped Persons Meeting which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also the Women, Family and Community Development Minister.
According to the statement, the ministry itself had exceeded its target of 1% with 144 posts, with 1.77% filled by handicapped persons out of the total 8,138 posts.
It said the Defence Ministry had also shown positive development with 0.98% while the Terengganu State Secretariat was at third place with 0.97%.
“Hopefully, the Public Service Department will increase its efforts towards achieving this target,” said the ministry.
The statement also said the meeting was informed about the launch of the OKU Card Learning Sub-Category on March 7, which would create a more positive environment for OKU learning as well as ensure a more focused and structured rehabilitation programme.
“Holders of the OKU card, learning category, who are already registered with the Social Welfare Department, can start to change their cards at the nearest District Social Welfare Office from May 1,” it said.
Under the initiative, OKU learning is divided into six sub-categories, which are global development delay, Down Syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, intellectual and specific learning disability.
At the meeting, Dr Wan Azizah also presented appointment letters to 10 members of the new National Council for Handicapped Persons (Individuals) for a two-year period from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2021. — Bernama