The Persons With Disabilities Act 2008 came into operation on 7th July 2008. Not a whimper about this important event was reported in the media. Even the Minister concerned has made no official statement so far regarding this. Disabled people in Malaysia had waited anxiously for six years for its enactment. Despite having a state-of-the-art communications system the government is still slow in disseminating information to disabled persons.
The Journey....
The Persons with Disabilities Bill was first drafted in 2002 by a Technical Working Group of the National Advisory & Consultative Council on the Disabled, headed by a disabled practising lawyer. After being deliberated upon at various levels it was finally tabled in Parliament for the First reading on 17th December 2007. After going through Second and Third readings and the Committee Stage, it was passed in the Lower House (Dewan Rakyat) on 18th December 2007. It was then taken to the Upper House (Dewan Negara) on 24th December 2008 where it was passed without any amendments. The Act was given Royal Assent on 26th January 2008 and came into force on 7th July 2008.
