Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Airports and Aerobridges


In his blog (posted on Aug 22, 2011), Peter Tan highlighted disabled people's need for aerobridges:

When the disability movement in Malaysia does not speak in one voice, everybody becomes confused, disabled people themselves included. The issue of aerobridges at KL International Airport 2 (KLIA2) clearly shows the split.

Do disabled people need aerobridges to board planes at the KLIA2? Christine Lee, whelchair user and co-ordinator of the Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) thinks it is needed and was quoted by Bernama as saying:

“The MAHB decision not to include aerobridges is a step backward and taken in the wrong direction,” she told reporters at a gathering attended by some 30 people with various disabilities to express their displeasure over this matter, here today.

“If underdeveloped countries can have aerobridges at their airports, why is Malaysia, which is a step away from developed nation status, regressing to third world infrastructure and service provision,” said Lee of the Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport (BEAT).

She added that aerobridges should and must be made a universal feature in all airport designs and developments.

(Disabled Community Pushes For Aerobridges At KLIA2 – August 20, 2011)

However, Anthony Thanasayan who is also a wheelchair user and Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) councillor opines otherwise as reported in The Star:

He said he personally did not think it necessary for the aerobridges to be installed as ambulifts could cater for the disabled.

“What’s wrong with using ambulifts? Able-bodied passengers don’t need the aerobridges,” he said, adding that he was more concerned with the toilet and ramp designs at the new low-cost carrier terminal.

(Disabled group insists on aerobridge at new KLIA2 terminal – August 21, 2011)

Who should Malaysia Airports, and for that matter, the government and all other infrastructure providers, listen to? One party says we need aerobridges which is not only a convenience for disabled people but also to senior citizens, pregnant women, children and adults with prams. On the other hand, the other party says that ambulifts are sufficient.



Read more HERE.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

PAS reveals another 'phantom voter centre'


According to Malaysiakini (Aug 16, 2011):


PAS says it has more evidence of the government covertly issuing MyKad to foreigners and relocating locals, who are then inserted as BN Trojan horses in the Pakatan-held elected constituencies.

"A resort in Cherating, Kuantan, is being used as a processing centre as well as to distribute the MyKad.

"The centre is used for two purposes, one to hold and then coach foreigners who are then given Malaysian identity cards," PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali ( right ) told a press conference at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

"The other purpose is to process locals, who are then transferred to other voting districts."

The opposition has long been accusing the BN of such covert activities, allegedly using phantom voters who are inserted to swell the votes for the ruling coalition in areas it lacks popular support.

It has claimed that foreigners who are issued MyKad and the relocated locals will then vote for BN as coached and instructed during their induction at the ‘processing centres'.

"I disclosed this yesterday at a press conference outside Kuala Lumpur, but it was not reported," lamented Mustafa.



Read more HERE.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

My name is "Kg Baru"


Report from FreeMalaysiakini (Aug 9, 2011):

The individual with the strange name is registered in Besut but the MyKad no belongs to someone else.
The Election Commission (EC) has been found to have registered a voter named 'Kg Baru'.

At the same time, a new search has turned up more names in the electoral roll without a record in the National Registration Department (NRD) online database.

According to the EC online verification system, 'Kg Baru' (MyKad: 830527115422) is a voter registered in the state constituency of Hulu Besut and parliamentary constituency of Besut, Terengganu.

However, a check with NRD online system revealed that the MyKad number is assigned to one Noraini binti Abdullah (left).

"The question is, how can the EC make such a shameful mistake? How did it happen?” asked Johor PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat, who discovered the flaw.

“Does (EC deputy chairperson) Wan Ahmad Wan Omar still think this is an issue that should only be answered by the EC clerk?"

Read more HERE.