THE plight of the physically challenged at Penang City Park (formerly known as Youth Park), like having a steep ramp and no OKU toilets, will be looked into.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow assured the Society of Disabled Person Penang (SDPP) that he would relay their concerns to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) during the Moon Cake Festival Party at Goh Kongsi (Ean Leng Tong) in George Town.
He thanked SDPP president Datuk Teh Lay Kuan for raising the issues in her speech.
Teh said she had participated in the Peace Run for many years at Youth Park and had seen improvement in the facilities.
She, however, said the ramp from the stage to the car park “is still too steep”.
She added that a volunteer and an OKU member, who was in wheelchair, fell when pushing the wheelchair from the ramp to the car park.
Apart from the steep ramp, Teh said there are no OKU toilets in Penang City Park.
“Those who are wheelchair-bound are unable to use the normal toilet as the door is too narrow to accommodate the wheelchair,” she said.
Chow said he regretted that the incident occurred to the volunteer and OKU member.
“I apologise for any shortcomings. There are uniform building by-laws and I hope the council will act on improving the facilities for the disabled,” Chow said.
“Action also needs to be taken in relation to the toilet issue for OKU. I will relay the society’s problems to the council.”
Chow added that there are laws in Malaysia that care for the disabled as well as give them equal rights as able-bodied people in terms of public facilities and job opportunities.
Also present at the event were state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh and Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix & video by Chan Kok Kuan