A disabled group's intended demonstration for better accessibility to public transportation took an unexpected twist when MCA politician Chew Mei Fun intervened.

Mei Fun, the parliamentary secretary to the women and family development ministry, was on a Putra line test-ride yesterday morning with several members of her Petaling Jaya Utara constituency when she was told about the planned protest.

Wheelchair-bound members of the Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (Beat) were then assembling at the Bangsar LRT station.

Mei Fun stopped at the station to invite the group to use the LRT facilities and have lunch at the KL Sentral station.

After hearing out their complaints, she said government-owned Rapid KL, which services a large proportion of the Klang Valley public transportation system, would form a committee to look into the needs of the disabled community.

"The ministry will definitely stand beside you because this is our responsibility," she added to cheers of the would-be protestors.

Speaking to reporters later, she said the group's demands were relevant as they were demanding their rights.

She, however, brushed off a question on whether development plans have left out the needs of minority groups like the disabled, despite the 'Masyarakat Penyayang' (Caring Society) campaign.

While acknowledging that certain issues may have been "overlooked", she said individuals could play a role by lodging complaints with the relevant agencies.

Demands of group

Beat issued several demands:

  • Rapid KL should ensure that all 1,256 new bus-stops be made easily accessible to the disabled, senior citizens, pregnant women, children in prams and their family members.

  • The government should adopt and enforce accessibility standards for planning of all public facilities and public transportation systems.

  • It should adopt and implement non-discriminatory policies and protect the rights and dignity of disabled persons in the country.

  • It should consult and involve disabled persons in policy development.

Rapid KL corporate communications senior manager Katherine Chew, who was accompanying Mei Fun's entourage, told reporters that the disabled community's needs are already under study. Orders have been placed for 100 disabled-friendly buses from China.

Asked about Beat's demand regarding buses accessible to pregnant women and children in prams, Katherine said: "At present, this is not a problem."

Beat member V Murugesaran lamented that, while the government has pledged RM10 billion for upgrading public transportation under the 2007 budget, there is no indication that the services will be disabled-friendly.

He said the lack of commitment towards accessibility does not bode well for the country, which is about to host the 9th Far East and South Pacific (Fespic) Games later this year.

"What kind of impression will we be giving when we host such world-class events (but lack accessible facilities)?" asked Muragesaran, who heads the Damai Disabled Person's Association of Selangor and the Federal Territories.

The Fespic Games will bring together athletes with disabilities from 43 countries to participate in 19 sports.

According to reports, organisation of the games will cost the government RM25 million.