Cashless system a problem for OKU, says group

KUALA LUMPUR: Organisations and activists representing persons with disabilities (OKU) have urged the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to reinstate cash payments under the Incentive Allowance for Disabled Workers (EPOKU), instead of the largely cashless system the ministry is pushing.

They said the Cashless Assistance Payment Pilot Project (JKMPAY) launched on April 9 last year has caused various difficulties to OKU, Bernama reported.

EPOKU, which is disbursed in cash or credited into the recipient’s account, now saw recipients who were involved in the JKMPAY pilot programme being paid half of their allowance in cash while another half was credited to their JKMPAY Cashless Card.

This has created difficulties for OKU in rural areas as there are barely any or enough JKM panel shops or shops registered with Bank Islam for them to use their credited assistance, the group said in a statement yesterday signed by 50 organisations and 118 individuals.

“OKU with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and those without own vehicles face additional burdens and challenges.

“Their mobility has long been limited by the inaccessible public transportation system and built environment, and there is no certainty that the registered shops under JKMPAY have the necessary accessibility for OKU,” they added.

The group also urged the ministry to immediately set up a special committee comprising OKU leaders to review and eliminate discrimination in the implementation of JKMPAY, as any decision making must take into account the views of the community as important stakeholders.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun said last month that the JKMPAY pilot project, which first started in Perlis, Kedah and Melaka before being extended to other states, was still at the feasibility study stage before being implemented nationwide.