KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — Persons with Disabilities (PwD) have been urged to use public transport more often and provide feedback to the relevant authorities so that the latter can improve the facilities for their convenience and comfort.
OKU Sentral president Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi said it was also important to inform the PwD community about the disabled-friendly facilities provided at the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations such as lifts, tactile paving for the visually-impaired individuals, wider Automatic Platform Gates (APG) for those who are wheel-chair bound, special help counter, help buttons that are placed near the lifts, dedicated parking spots and designated drop-off locations.
In addition, she said the feeder buses are also installed with ramps for the convenience of those using a wheelchair.
She told reporters this while visiting the Kampung Batu and Sri Damansara MRT stations today.
Meanwhile, she said to tackle the problem of misuse of parking spots dedicated to the disabled, she said a higher fine should be imposed.
“The vehicles should be clamped and a higher fine of RM500 should be imposed as anyone can pay an RM50 fine,” she said.
A commuter, Nur Izhar Idham, 36, who has been using a wheelchair to move around for the past 18 years said the facilities provided at the stations are comfortable, and efficient and have helped to facilitate his daily commute.
He said he hoped that the authorities would continue to improve the facilities and carry out regular checks on all the facilities to ensure they are in good condition.
Meanwhile, a former national bowler, Ahmad Amil Husin, 56, who has polio, said he hoped that the relevant authorities could fully monitor the facilities provided for the disabled people as many of these facilities have been misused by other parties.
