Some weaknesses in Harapan manifesto for the disabled, admits Dr M

Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad today admitted that there are weaknesses in the coalition's manifesto with regards to the disabled community.

However, he said that not everything could be included in the manifesto, which currently has five points in relation to the disabled community.

"But I am confident that we can always receive input on what the government needs to do when we become the government," said Mahathir.

Creating a policy excellence centre for the disabled and increasing the allocation for special education in government schools are among the points contained in Harapan's manifesto.

Together with Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, Mahathir was one of the panellists in a dialogue session with two activists from the disabled community.

Apart from the two activists, around 10 other representatives from the disabled community were also present during the programme, which was organised by Selangor Amanah Youth.

Meanwhile, when asked by an audience member whether each Harapan party should consider allocating one percent of their seats to the disabled community for the general election, Mahathir said he had no qualms about it.

"I don't see why they should not be fielded if there are those who are capable.

"But we have to consider the role they will be playing after the election.

"Look at our two friends here, so fluent in their speech. With their political acumen, I think we should consider those who are capable," he said, in reference to the two activists.  

Reviewing assistance 

Mahathir also said Harapan will review assistance given to the poor and the disabled if it becomes the government.

"We find that the government's policy to help those who have no income is insufficient. There are those who cannot even afford to eat, given assistance of RM200 per month.

"Maybe this was sufficient in 1960 but it's not enough today.

"When I was prime minister, the government's revenue was RM66 billion per year, now it's RM180 billion per year but aid for the poor is still RM200," he noted.

Earlier in the dialogue session, Mahathir expressed hope that society would become more disabled-friendly.

“There must be signs on the roads so that the disabled will know where to go. There are many things we can do so that the disabled do not become isolated from the rest of the society.

“When Harapan becomes the government, we will give attention to the disabled so that they will feel they are part of society.”

One of the activists, Mohd Rosli Ibrahim, noted how Mahathir had been one of the first of the country's leaders to talk about the disabled community.

"He has already spoken about this in his book The Malay Dilemma, it's not new.

"This is why he is a statesman. To become a statesman, one must talk about the disabled because the disabled are part of you," he said.

Fellow activist Sahmar Saat, who is also an Amanah party member, recalled how he first met Mahathir in 2003 when he was still prime minister.

"To this day I remember how he gave me RM5," joked Sahmar, drawing laughter from both Mahathir and the audience.

"I want Tun (Mahathir) to appoint people like me and Rosli to solve the problems of the disabled when he becomes prime minister again, not people like Mohamad Sabu, he should be foreign minister," added Sahmar in jest. Mkini