KUCHING: Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah has expressed hope that people with disabilities (OKU) would get ample job opportunities as they too want to be independent and self-sufficient.
The state Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister said the lack of jobs is one of the issues that OKUs frequently faced.
“If a type of work can be done by OKUs, why not give them a chance?
“This is a different era. Many OKU students are receiving proper education. In the past, OKUs were not sent to school, but with awareness among today’s parents, they are being sent to special schools and integrated based on their disability.
“Some have even graduated from university, while others have completed secondary school and are now pursuing skills training.”
Fatimah said this during the handover of a welfare department grant to community rehabilitation organisations (PPDK) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) here on Thursday (Nov 18).
She pointed out that under the government’s civil service policy, OKUs are allocated one percent of job opportunities, which she considered to be a good start.
“For instance, there is now an elevator operated by OKUs at government offices. We should give them more job opportunities that match their abilities.
“There are also private companies and fast-food chains that give OKUs the opportunity to work, and I believe that by giving them this opportunity, they can be independent.”
Fatimah also said that she had asked the Sarawak OKU Skills Development Association to compile a database of people with disabilities so that the welfare department can do job matching and coaching.
At the same event, the Dalat incumbent handed over federal grants worth RM2,041,854 to 10 PPDK and state grants worth RM100,000 to five NGOs.
