
The recent mob assault on a person with disability in Terengganu does not augur well for inclusion in Malaysian society.
It highlights a lack of tolerance and understanding of people with disabilities.
This is not an isolated situation. We see people with disabilities discriminated against and abused frequently: from physical and/or sexual abuse of people with disabilities, school bullying of children with disabilities by non-disabled children and teachers, the discrimination faced by people with disabilities in employment, to government authorities’ neglect of amendment and enforcement of disability legislation to prevent discrimination and to build infrastructure and services supportive of the mobility and meaningful participation of people with disabilities in mainstream society.
Such abuse of people with disabilities is a serious human rights violation. The vast number of incidents that happen go under-reported, as we lack any coherent system and legislation to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities. While our neighbouring countries have made significant progress, we have regressed.
Many will argue that such abuse is the result of lack of awareness and education.
But a realistic view is that people with disabilities are stigmatised and discriminated against because our society is not inclusive and lacks compassion.
We are, at large, an intolerant society – intolerant of diversity on many fronts and on many levels, not only regarding disability but also gender, age, ethnicity and statelessness.
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While we would like to encourage a culture of compassion for and understanding of people with disabilities, older adults, children, those in vulnerable situations and for all in Malaysia, this cannot happen without clear leadership and direction from the government at every level.
If we are serious about change, then it must start with the government. There have been numerous calls for the urgent amendment of Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution to expressly prohibit discrimination on the ground of disability and the comprehensive amendment of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 to align it with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Government action on both will send a clear message that everyone in Malaysia, with or without disabilities, has a legitimate right to and expectation of not being discriminated against.
The public need to recognise that what we do to improve the inclusion of people with disabilities will benefit society at large.
Conversely, what we fail to do for the disability community will have a significant negative impact on all of society. If we want an inclusive, caring and compassionate society, we need to advocate for and promote inclusion in every area of society. If we do not fight against discrimination in all areas, we will not achieve the inclusion as befits a developed nation.
As a society, we need to move away from passive inclusion, the mere lip-service recognition of disability rights, to active inclusion – justice for every person in all areas of Malaysian society.
- Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
- San Yuenwah
- Anit Kaur Randhawa
- Ng Lai-Thin
- The OKU Rights Matter Project
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme