Kuala lumpur: OKU Sentral hopes Budget 2027 will prioritise accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs), particularly in rural areas, as well as improvements to the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 (Act 685).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, OKU Sentral president Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi said the non-governmental organisation also hoped the government would consider strengthening the Senior Citizens Act in preparation for Malaysia becoming an ageing nation by 2030. "Yesterday, we engaged with the Budget Division at the Ministry of Finance (MOF) along with the Prime Minister. Among the matters we recommended was accessibility not just in urban areas, but also in rural areas, as that is very important."
Ras Adiba further highlighted the urgent need for improvements to the PWD Act and emphasized the importance of enhancing the Senior Citizens Act to ensure comprehensive care for senior citizens as the nation approaches a demographic shift. She shared these insights with reporters following a media tour with OKU Sentral at the Damansara Idaman LRT Station.
Meanwhile, she expressed her appreciation for the PWD-friendly facilities along the Shah Alam LRT Line, which include dedicated spaces for wheelchair users, adjustable seatbelts, and tactile paving for visually impaired passengers. She also welcomed Prasarana's initiative to install rear passenger lifts on Rapid On-Demand vans, facilitating easier access for wheelchair users who face challenges in transferring to standard seats.
"For individuals with tetraplegia or cerebral palsy, it is sometimes quite difficult to lift or transfer them. Alhamdulillah, we have been informed that Prasarana will be providing vans equipped with a rear-loading passenger lift in the coming months," Ras Adiba remarked.
Additionally, Shah Alam Line Quality Assurance Division head Noor Aqilah Ahmad Tajedi noted that Prasarana actively seeks feedback from the PWD community to continuously enhance its facilities. She encouraged PWD passengers to make use of the amenities provided.
Noor Aqilah also mentioned the availability of the Rapid Mesra Pass, which PWD users can apply for online or at station concession counters for free travel benefits. She urged current cardholders to exchange their cards for the new version before expiration.
The 37.8-kilometre Shah Alam Line, which connects Johan Setia in Klang with Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya, was opened to the public on June 29.