The 2024 commemoration presents a timely opportunity to evaluate whether progress has been made by the elected government, in line with the promises made in the Party Manifesto.
16% of the population lives with disability. With care partners, we account for more than 30% of the Malaysian electorate. Hence, we hope the government of the day will listen to our concerns and put in place structural and policy changes to enable disabled persons’ full inclusion in society.
In this article, we compare the Pakatan Harapan party election manifesto and action plans for disability inclusiveness with achievements after two years of governance. Pakatan Harapan has the most comprehensive set of plans and promises for the disability (OKU) community. The plans in the Barisan Nasional manifesto are minimal and appear almost as an afterthought.
The Pakatan Harapan party election manifesto uses appropriate disability language, has a clear section, with plans, on persons with disabilities, recognises that persons with disabilities make up 15% of the Malaysian population and the need to remove barriers to enable meaningful OKU participation.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) Manifesto Contents | Achievements by the Anwar Madani Government |
To set up a Persons with Disabilities Department/Agency to deal with all areas and prioritize persons with disabilities – infrastructure, education, coordinating various ministries, welfare / needs, future challenges, and quality of life. | Not achieved Even the Pelan Tindakan OKU which expired on 31/12/2022 has not been renewed. |
Appointment of Persons with Disabilities Commissioner in SUHAKAM to help champion OKU rights and combat against all forms of discrimination. | Not achieved |
Increase the number of facilities and public transportation that are disabled person-friendly, while also ensuring that development projects fulfil universal design standards. | Work in progress No legislation to enable this |
Special allocation for improving the education of persons with disabilities, including the disabled person-friendliness of the education system and infrastructure. | Yearly budgets (standard practice) include allocation for special education programmes in MOE schools, but not for supporting students with disabilities enrolled in mainstream classrooms. Disabled students who meet entrance requirements into university tend to be relegated to community colleges and vocational courses. The portal for application excludes disabled students. |
Zero Reject Policy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training |
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As the table shows, of the promises made to the disability community and care partners, hardly any have been achieved after two years in office. The rating would not even achieve an “E” grade.
Plans and promises are good but the proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes. When OKU rights are not made real, year after year, it is a gross failure of governance.
It is vital to keep promises made. Otherwise, politicians worsen the already bad trust deficit. In the end, party manifestos end up being mere, empty words.
In the end it boils down to legislation. As long as we do not amend articles 8(2) and 12(1) of the Federal Constitution to expressly prohibit discrimination on the ground of disability, as long as we do not amend the toothless Persons with Disabilities Act (2008) to give it the scope and powers to enforce the rights of persons with disabilities, any plans and actions of any government cannot be challenged or questioned.
We had looked to this government to improve the conditions for inclusion as a universal human right for all Malaysians. But it appears that the disability community may have to continue caring for itself.
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
San Yuenwah
Anit Kaur Randhawa
Ng Lai-Thin
The OKU Rights Matter Project
For more info visit us: https://okurightsmatter.com/has-the-government-made-progress-for-the-disability-oku-community-in-line-with-its-party-manifesto/
