MBPJ FORUM IN CONJUNCTION WITH INERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 2010

 

Dr. Chandra Muzaffar Chairman of JUST World Trust delivering the Keynote Address

                                                           At the morning session

                                      

           A FIRST FOR MALAYSIA !

Our first day at the Coaching Course

Malaysia entered the sports chart again - hosting the first ever Para Table Tennis PTT Coaching Course here in Kuala Lumpur. The PTT Level I Course, organised by the Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) with support from the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC), was held at the Kuala Lumpur City Council Sports Complex in Brickfields on 27-28 December. Sixteen enthusiastic participants attended the two day course conducted by Ms Christina Chee from TTAM who is also the Deputy Chair for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Women's Working Group.

Participants comprised 3 wheelchair players, 6 standing players with disability and 7 able bodied players. The course was divided into theory and practical sessions which also involved presentations by the trainee coaches. At the end of the 2 days participants received their Certificate of Attendance.

Trainees will have to undergo a further 30 hour practical coaching  session, including five hours' of supervised coaching to become a full fledged Para TT Level I Coach. 

Attentive participants listening to lecture    



Wheelchair athletes explaining how to transfer                                                 
                                

Able bodied coaches also sitting for the practical session     

(Article Courtesy ITTF)  Para Table Tennis Course Breaks New Ground in Malaysia

By: Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

An explanation from Christine Chee (right)  Photo By: Courtesy of Christine Chee 12/28/2010        Staged in the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Complex in the Malaysian capital, the host nation�s Christine Chee, the Deputy Chair of the ITTF Women�s Working Group, was the course conductor for an ITTF Para Table Tennis Level One Coaches Course on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th December 2010. The course was self-funded and organized by the Table Tennis Association of Malaysia in conjunction with the Malaysian Paralympic Committee. Together, the two bodies combined to produce first class conditions for the itinerary. Materials ITTF/PTT Coaches Manuals were available alongside a white board, notebooks and LCD projector for theory work; whilst for the practical aspect of the course, six table tennis tables and three hundred training balls in addition to a suitable number of baskets for the balls were provided. Diverse Group Good preparation and that was essential for the quite diverse group that followed the course. A total of 16 students attended, comprising seven with a disability; two male and two female Wheelchair Class players plus three Standing Class players. All were experienced players either having competed at state or national level with one having an ITTF Level One Coaches certificate. The remaining members of the group involved seven men and two women who were able bodied with Ms Ng and Mr Fan both possessing ITTF Level Two certificates. First Time �It was the first time that an ITTF Para Table Tennis course had been organized in Malaysia�, explained Christine Chee. �The expectations were high with a mixed group of 16 participants, who came from various states in the country; in fact two of the participants drove around four hours and another three drove two and half hours while the rest drove daily to attend the course.� Certainly the course created immense interest. Christine Chee (left) advises a Standing Class player. The Course �The two days ITTF Para Table Tennis Level One Coaching Course covered the syllabus of Para Table Tennis Programme in the ITTF/IPTTC Level One Coaching Manual�, explained Christine Chee. �During the course a short ten minutes coaching presentation was made by each coach; in the last session of the second day, two groups of coaches were divided to direct and organize a tournament among themselves, according with the format of play of the rules and regulations of Para Table Tennis International Championships.� A demanding test but there was a positive response. Team Spirit �All participants combined to make a good team spirit�, continued Christine Chee. �They enjoyed the course throughout even during the practical evaluation.� Furthermore, there was a high level of success. �All the participants passed the coaching practical session but to receive PTT Level One Certificate, 13 coaches have to complete 30 hours practical coaching with five hours supervised and a confidential coaching report being made�, explained Christine Chee. �The three who had qualified as ITTF Level One coaches have to complete 30 hours coaching practice with five hours supervised coaching; following a confidential coaching report they will be awarded an ITTF/IPTTC Level One Certificate.� (left) Christine Chee conducts a multi-ball session and (right) a wheelchair athlete is assisted. Familiar A good spirit amongst those in attendance and to some extent that was understandable; they were not strangers. �Most of the participants had known each other in the sport of table tennis since 2004 when the Table Tennis Association Malaysia first organized a biannual table tennis event in the National Paralympic Games biannually�, continued Christine Chee. �The course was a great opportunity for them to know more about coaching techniques for wheelchair.� A Learning Experience Once person, in particular, gained benefit. �Besides sharing experiences in the individual disciplines of Para Table Tennis; a female wheelchair state player, Azila, very nervous on the first day and who never knew how to return with a tetra loop; now successfully knew how to give a service return for her second or third ball attack�, said a delighted Christine Chee. �I reminded her to transfer the skills to coaching and not as an athlete; she smiled confidently.� (left) Students test their skills and (right) Chan Foong Keong presents a certificate, Christine Chee looks on. Classification Transferring playing knowledge to coaching was an important aspect of the course and there was a further vital element; the participants were able to learn about Classification. �One of the participant, who is a medical doctor and a qualified medical classifier, Dr. Shamsul Azhar Shah, shared his experiences and knowledge during the course�, said Christine Chee. �Dr. Shamsul is also a Class Five national player; he found the technical aspects of the syllabus very useful and was delighted with the course.� Husband and Wife Team Dr Shamsul was one of the more experienced members of the course as were Mr. and Mrs Fan Kow Jan, the husband and wife participants. �Both passed the Kuala Lumpur 2009 ITTF Level |Two Coaching Course under expert Mr. Philippe Molodzoff, they are active state able-bodied coaches and they benefited greatly from this Para course; especially on how to advise wheelchair athletes�, explained Christine Chee. �They would like a similar course to be organised next year especially for coaches who could not attend this time; Mrs Fan often spoke to the wheelchair athletes on the course, she showed great enthusiasm and has an interest in coaching disabled players in the future.� Undoubtedly Christine Chee had motivated her students. Proud course members display their certificates with Christine Chee (centre back row). Pleased �I am certainly very happy with the outcome as it followed a successful ITTF Level Two Course that was held from Saturday 12th to Friday 17th December�, added Christine Chhe. �On this course I could see plenty of enthusiasm from a group of participants with a wide and varied background in Para table tennis.� A successful outcome and although Christine Chee was very much at the helm, the support of all concerned was invaluable. Thanks �My sincere thanks to the International Table Tennis Federation, the officials from the Malaysian Paralympic Council and in particular to John Ng, the Table Tennis Association of Malaysia Para Table Tennis Committee Chairman�, concluded Christine Chee. �Also, my thanks to Mr. Chan Foong Keong, the Honorary Secretary of the Table Tennis Association Malaysia for supporting the programme fully and making the course possible. Finally, thanks to Christine Chee for her enthusiasm, effort and endeavour; an intense two days but most worthwhile, the overwhelming view of all concerned. Delighted students with Christine Chee and Chan Foong Keong (centre front row). Photos courtesy of Christine Chee

       

BAR COUNCIL FORUM ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

WOMEN'S SUMMIT 2010 (8-9 December)

Theme- Challenging Mindsets : Transforming Lives

This year's Summit was yet another exciting event where 1,200 women gathered to celebrate and reaffirm their role as contributing members in shaping the development of the nation. The one and a half day event held at the Sime Darby Convention Centre was officiated by the Deputy Prime Minister who acknowledged the significant role played by women in nation building. He also reiterated the government's commitment of continued support for the advancement of women in Malaysia. Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Minister for Women, Family and Community Development delivered the keynote speech.

Eight members from the Association of Women with Disabilities Malaysia participated. 

Malaysia: Disability Rights Treaty Ratification an ‘Important Step’

Concerns Remain on Government’s Willingness to Enforce Convention Fully

(New York, August 17, 2010) – Malaysia’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities can help bring real improvement in the lives of people with disabilities in Malaysia, Human Rights Watch said today. But Malaysia should withdraw its formal reservations to the treaty that will undermine its efforts to protect and promote those rights, Human Rights Watch said.

The Disability Rights Convention affirms broad protections for people with disabilities, including the rights to life, freedom from discrimination, equal recognition before the law, and access to justice, education, employment, and health. The treaty will go into effect in Malaysia on August 18, 2010.

“Malaysia has taken an important step to protect the rights of people with disabilities,” said Shantha Rau Barriga, disability rights researcher and advocate at Human Rights Watch. “But the convention should be seen as a springboard for changing Malaysian laws, policies, and practices that violate the rights of people with disabilities.”

While the Malaysian government has indicated plans to improve acceptance of people with disabilities into the mainstream, there are still problems with putting the plans into practice, Human Rights Watch said. Compliance with the 1984 law that mandates that public buildings be designed for accessibility is sporadic. In addition, a non-binding plan announced in 2009 to ensure that one percent of the government work force is reserved for persons with disabilities has not matched expectations.

The dropout rate for children with disabilities is a major concern, Human Rights Watch said. In part, this results from a lack of access to schools for children who use wheelchairs, for example, and in part from a lack of facilities, programs, and trained personnel to assist children with learning disabilities. The country’s education regulations even exclude the “non-educable” from schools.

Malaysia entered formal reservations to the Disability Rights Convention concerning the prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment (article 15) and the right to liberty of movement and nationality (article 18). It also made a declaration limiting the government’s legal application of the principles of non-discrimination and equality.

Human Rights Watch urged Malaysia to withdraw these reservations immediately and to ensure that anyone with disabilities in Malaysia has the full protection of all rights set out in the convention. Countries that have ratified the Disability Rights Convention should make formal objections to Malaysia’s reservations and declaration, Human Rights Watch said.

Malaysia’s reservations are especially problematic, Human Rights Watch said, because the government has yet to ratify other major human rights treaties that incorporate these rights, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The prohibition against torture is one of the most basic under international law, permitting no exceptions. Malaysia has recently withdrawn a number of its reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, but should remove all the remaining reservations, Human Rights Watch said.

“Malaysia’s reservations are troubling and send a terrible message to people with disabilities,” Barriga said. “What possible justification could Malaysia have for objecting to protecting persons with disabilities from torture or allowing them to move around the country?”

Human Rights Watch also urged Malaysia to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Disability Rights Convention, which allows individuals to send complaints of human rights violations to an international monitoring body. At present, Malaysia’s Persons with Disabilities Act provides no mechanisms for redress, and expressly prohibits legal actions against the government for violating the rights of persons with disabilities.

“By ratifying the Disability Rights Convention, Malaysia made progress toward fulfilling one of its pledges as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council to adopt more international human rights instruments,” Barriga said. “However, its reservations to the convention fall far short of honoring that pledge.”

PARKING WOES IN PETALING JAYA
It is a nightmare trying to find a parking lot anywhere within Petaling Jaya New Town centre (Section 52) during business hours. The nightmare becomes ghastly if you are looking for a disabled parking lot - you won't find any! Despite the convenience of doing e-banking transactions from home there are occasions when you have to physically present yourself at the bank. Disabled persons and the elderly have banking needs too. But after driving (or being driven) to the bank, when you are stuck in a traffic conjestion alongside double-parkers with no hope of finding a lot can be most frustrating. Understanding our predicament (and not wanting to lose their valued customers)  Maybank at New Town (Jalan 52/4) provides what I call "street banking" by sending its staff to attend to the disabled or elderly customer in their cars. Of course you have to make a call to them first and give your location. This is most inconvenient and what will happen if it rains? A permanent solution to this problem lies with Petaling Jaya City Council to provide parking lots for the disabled.  

                        

                    STREET BANKING ???

TRANSPORT NEEDS OF DISABLED PERSONS

Professor Tetsuo Akiyama presented a talk today on Public Transportation : Increasing Mobility for the  Disabled and Disadvantaged Groups which gave an insight to the planning and provision of accessible transportation for disabled person and other disadvantaged groups. It was organised by INTAN as part of their  continuing education programme. 

Professor Akiyama who is also the Vice -President of the Japanese Association Toward Caring Society For All, gave examples from Japan as well other European countries. Among the audience were transport operators from various sectors, government officers, representatives from Local Authorities and disability leaders and activists. 

WORLD CUP: SPAIN RULES !!!

Spain revelled in sweet victory as they swept aside Netherlands in  a hard fought climax of the World Cup 2010.  It was their very first claim to the coveted Jules Rimet trophy. Andres Iniesta scored the solitary goal during extra time which sent fans, spectators, viewers the world over and of course the whole of Spain into a frenzied ecstasy!  Right from kick-off the world was treated to a superb display by the best two teams in a gripping two hour final. I thought the referee, Howard Webb was being lenient, trying his best to avoid sending players off the field. De Jong's intentional kick onto the chest of Spaniard Xabi Alonso warranted a red card, but was reduced to yellow. In the end a total record of  14 yellow cards !! - including one for Iniesta for taking off his shirt after scoring . Only one Dutch player John Heitinga had to be sent off on a second yellow card.   

                     Jubilant Spain celebrating their sweet victory

                       The team that made Spain proud

WORLD CUP 2nd SEMIs

GERMANY OUSTED BY SPAIN 0-1

Spain put up a splendid performance to deny Germany a place in the Finals. Having swept aside England and Argentina en route to the Semis, Germany, who had won the World Cup thrice, conceded to a solitary goal netted by Carles Puyol. The Spaniards had impeccable passes and solid team work that made them rulers of the pitch for the day. Their style of play, tapping the ball on impact for short passes, was a pleasure to watch - appeared like an orchestrated dance with the Jabulani. 

With this win SPAIN becomes the current favourite to win the coveted Cup. 

There goes the much looked-forward-to 1974 repeat finale between Germany and Holland !   

       Carles Puyol on the ground after heading in the victorious goal (Photo: Courtesy Reuters)

Thursday July 8, 2010

New incentives for those pursuing higher education

By RICHARD LIM
educate@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Disabled persons pursuing higher education full-time at local institutions of higher learning – both public and private – will receive up to RM5,000 a year or RM20,000 for the entire duration of their course.
Announcing the new policy here yesterday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the sum covers tuition fees as well as a monthly allowance of RM300.
He said any balance of the money cannot be carried forward.
For long-distance learners and part-time students, however, the policy only applies to the tuition fees. Disabled students already receiving scholarships are only eligible for the allowance .
Before the revision, disabled students at higher education institutions received only the RM300 allowance each month.
Under the new policy, disabled students reading certificate courses are eligible for aid over a two-year period while those pursuing diplomas and degrees will receive it over three and four years respectively.
Master programme students will receive aid for two years while PhD students will be covered over a four-year period
“Financial aid will be provided to all disabled students, including those reading certificate and dip­loma courses at polytechnics and community colleges,” Mohamed Khaled told a press conference at Universiti Malaya’s seventh residential college here.
Blind student Lim Tien Hong, 26, who is pursuing a Master’s in Applied Economics at UM, said the revision was timely.
“I am happy and thankful to the Government, as the greater provision allows disabled students to pursue post-graduate studies.
“All that is left now is implementation. Instead of requiring disabled students to apply for the aid package, the process could be automated the moment they enrol at university,” he said.

WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL

Holland eliminated the only remaining South American team to advance into the Finals with a 3-2 score. A beautiful field goal from Giovanni Bronckhorst at the 18th minute put Holland in the lead. A smashing equaliser, also a field goal by Diego Forlan in the first half raised Uruguay's hope of making it to the finals. But it was not to be as the goal gap widened further with two consecutive goals, three minutes apart, from the Dutch in the second half. Maximiliano Pereira of Uruguay caused some momentary excitement  when he scored during the additional time. But alas, time was not on their side. Germany-Holland Finals is getting closer.       

MALAYSIA RATIFIES CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

CULMINATION OF AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY FOR THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (CRPD)

   Dato Seri Shahrizat Abd Jalil with the CRPD which she ratified on behalf of the government. Together with her  
         is Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Richard Riot

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was finally ratified by Malaysia on 6th July 2010. In a brief ceremony, the Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Dato Seri Shahrizat Abd Jalil signed the ratification witnessed by representatives from disabled persons' organisations. The Deputy Foreign Minister Daatuk Richard Riot also witnessed the event. 

Disability organisations in Malaysia had been urging the government to participate in the drafting of the CRPD from way back in 2002.  

In November 2005, as a member of the National Advisory and Consultative Council for the Disabled, I suggested to the Minister Dato' Shahrizat Jalil who chaired the meeting, to include a disabled person in the Malaysian delegation to the next CRPD meeting in New York in January 2006. She assured that the Ministry would look into it.   

January 2006 : A Malaysian delegation attended the 7th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee. 

In March 2006 : Disability organisations were invited to a meeting to give input and deliberate on the CRPD draft ( I recall clearly the representative from the Ministry of Tourism expressing concern if the Convention would give 'extra' rights to disabled persons compared to able-bodied citizens)   



In May 2006 : The 7th Session Ad Hoc Committee Report of the CRPD was circulated to all Ministries and disability organisations for their feedback.

In August 2006 : Finalising of negotiations on the final draft of the Convention and the Optional Protocol. Our Malaysian delegation included disabled representative Mah Hassan bin Omar who participated in the negotiations.

8 April 2008 : Malaysia signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (but did not sign the Optional Protocol)

6 July 2010 : Malaysia ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (with Reservations on Articles 15 and 18; and Interpretative Declarations on Article 3 (b), (e) and Article 5 (2); and did not ratify the Optional Protocol)

..............................................................................

CRDP Chronology. Source : United Nations Enable Website 

30 March 2007 - the Convention and Optional Protocol opened for signature at UN Headquarters in New York. States or regional integration organisations may now sign the Convention and Optional Protocol at an time at UN Headquarters in New York. 

13 December 2006 - The UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.

December 2006 - the resumed eighth session of the Ad Hoc Committee adopted the final draft of the Convention and its Optional Protocol with th etechnical amendments suggested by the drafting committee.

September - November 2006- Liechtenstein convened the drafting group which undertook a technical review to ensure uniformity of terminology throughout the text and to harmonise the versions in the six official languages of the UN.

August 2006 - the eighth session of the Ad Hoc Committee finalised negotiations on the draft Convention and a separate Optional Protocol and adopted the texts ad interim subject to a technical review being undertaken by a drafting committee consisting of State representatives. (MALAYSIAN delegation including disabled representative Mah Hassan bin Omar attended)

May-August 2006 - Mexico led informal consultations on internal monitoring.

January 2006 -  the seventh Ad Hoc Committee completed a first readin of the Chairperson's text (MALAYSIAN delegation attended)

August 2005 - the sixth session of the Ad Hoc Committee completed the second reading of the draft text. The Chairperson prepared a revised text, reflecting debate at the third, fourth and fifth sessions for presentation at the seventh session of the Committee.

January/February 2005 - the fifth session of theAd Hoc Committee held informal consultations on specific draft articles. Civil society organisations. national human rights institutions and inter-governmental organisations were allowed to attend the informal consultations although only States had the right to intervene.

August/September 2004 - fourth session of the Ad Hoc Committee. The Committee completed the first reading of the draft text and started the second reading. The participation of civil society organisations and national human rights institutions in the sessions of the Committee was confirmed although the right to intervene was limited.

May/June 2004 - third session of the Ad Hoc Committee. The Committee conducted a first reading of the working group draft. The Ad Hoc Committe discussed whether it should meet in closed session in the future or in the presence of civil society organisations and national human rights institutions. 

January 2004 - the working group met and produced a working draft of the convention text, taking into account the numerous drat texts submitted by States and others.

August 2003 - second session of the Ad Hoc Committee which established a working group to prepare a draft text. Twenty-seven government representatives designated by regional groups, twelve representatives from NGOs and one representative of National Human Rights Institutions comprisd the working group.

August 2002 - first session of the Ad Hoc Committee meets and sets our procedures for participation of civil society.

December 2001 - Mexican proposal in the General Assembly to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to consider proposals for a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.  

 

WHAT A THRASHING ! World Cup 2010

What a humiliating defeat! (Or did its save Argentina from a greater humiliation having to see Maradona parade the streets in the nude??). The Germans displayed a sterling performance. An early goal by Miroslav Klose within the third minute spurred them on. They had splendid teamwork. The German defence was impenetrable! Was there an added umph provided by their Chancellor Angela Merkel, I wonder.
The goal difference 4-0 was unbelievable for a country that had hoisted the World Cup trophy twice before. Having the world's best player in striker Lionel Messi did not make a difference to Argentina as a team. The team's sluggishness and weak defence cost them the game.
A Germany-Holland Finals looming? If it happens it will be deja vu 1974. For me it brings memories of a huge framed poster of the 1974 World Cup Champions Germany which my younger sister Thana , an ardent football fan then, hung on the wall of our house. I can now only recall Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Mueller from that team. 

                The German team celebrate their 4-0 victory over Argentina

SPORTS CARNIVAL FOR THE DISABLED

About 250 disabled children and adults from 12 disability organisations took part in a Sports Carnival "Sukaneka Muhibbah" organised by Tanjong Plc. The prime mover of this annual event was Tanjong Plc Senior Manager Ms Ranjit Kaur who was there with her 35 - strong team of volunteers and officials who co-ordinated and managed the various sports. 

Among the participants were members from the Malaysian Spinal Injuries Association (MASIA), Association of Women with Disabilities Malaysia, POCAM, Society of the Blind, Perwira K9, Bangi Training Centre (PLPP), and the Community Based Rehabilitation Centres of Selayang and Bentong, Pahang. They competed in wheelchair basketball, table tennis, petanque, congkak and also telematches. The was also a wheelchair rugby demonstration.   

About a third of the total participants comprised children and teenagers with learning disabilities who took part in telematches with a helping hand from volunteers.

The venue for this year's Carnival was Rumah Insaniah Dr. Siti Hasmah, Taman Kanagapuram, Petaling Jaya. The VIP in attendance was Dato Dr. Mahmood Merican,President of the Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan, who gave away prizes to the winners. 

       Children with learning disabilities awaiting their match to begin

                                                       On the go..........

                 Basketball game between PLPP and Perwira K9

                                                       Team event - Petanque 

                                 Karthik from MASIA having a go at Petanque 

                                                       Balloon race takes off 

                                                          Pairs in sarong - telematch

                                      Azila and Clancy from Assoc of Women with Disabilities 

                                 Me (representing MASIA) playing Saodah from PLPP

                    Foo Kok Jun representing MASIA meeting opponent from PLPP

       Winners of  Women's Table Tennis : 1st - Clancy Chung; 2nd - Bathma; 3rd - Azila Alias 

                                       After the games - prize giving ceremony 

      Women's Table Tennis champion Clancy receiving prize from Dato' Dr, Mahmood Merican

  Men's Table Tennis Winner (2nd place) Liew Yoke Fan from MASIA receiving prize 



NOSTALGIC MOMENT ....... 

It was a recount of years gone by. Dr. Mahmood Merican was as excited as I was upon meeting after so many years. I initially met him during my very first involvement with a disability organisation in 1978, where I was the only disabled committee member of the Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Wilayah and Selangor where he was President, and Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah the Patron. That was when we were at the planning stage for the then yet to be built Rumah Insaniah Dr. Siti Hasmah !