KUCHING: Persatuan Anak Istimewa Sarawak (Perais) supports the appointment of a senator from the persons with disabilities (OKU) to take care of the groups’ wellbeing.
Its secretary-general Annuar Putit said Perais had called upon the new Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal government led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when it first came into power to allocate a senator quota to the qualified OKU in taking care of the wellbeing of the group.
“We wish to congratulate Ras Adiba Radzi, who has been sworn in as Senator.
“We are very proud to have our wish fulfilled and we hope the OKU will continue to be guided and not left behind in related matters in the future,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He also mentioned that Perais hoped the new senator would be able to bring the voice of the OKU group so that assistance from the government could be increased be it for those who are working, studying or bed-ridden.
According to him, the first OKU senator was Prof Dr Ismail Salleh, who was appointed in 2007. Meanwhile, Senator Bathmavathi Krishnan was appointed in 2016.
Perais believed senator appointments among OKU was important to deliberate on matters such as enforcement of Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 to defend the OKU group and to fine or sentence the wrongdoers.
Perais also concurred with the previous senators that the OKU should be given the opportunity to hold important or professional positions in the federal and state governments as many of them also have educational qualifications such as diploma, degree and PhD.
